In The News

Philadelphia Gas Works Warns Customers About Scams During National Consumer Protection Week

PGW educates customers and stakeholders about how to protect themselves from imposter utility scams

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2021) –  Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), this week joins Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) to recognize National Consumer Protection Week, which aims to educate customers on how they can guard against becoming victims of impostor utility scams.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails, and in-person tactics, and they continue to contact utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection.
 

“Unfortunately in today’s day and age, people are looking to prey on the most vulnerable in the form of scams.  We want to ensure the safety of our valued customers and recommend a variety of safeguards when encountering a possible scammer claiming to work for PGW,” said Melanie McCottry, Vice President, Corporate Communications & External Affairs at PGW. “Should a customer of ours ever feel that something does not seem right, it is crucial to alert PGW. We want to hear from you. Your safety is our top priority.”

PGW warns that not everyone is who they claim to be and recent incidents are a reminder to customers about remaining vigilant against imposters. PGW advises customers to follow these tips to prevent being victim to a scam:

• Customers should never share private information, such as their PGW account number or social security number, with anyone over the phone, or via text or email.  PGW will never ask for a customer account number.  
• Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PGW does not accept prepaid cards as payment and utility companies always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including online, phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in-person payments.
• If someone threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification.
• All PGW employees have ID badges, official PGW vehicles with clearly visible PGW logos. Customers who feel the slightest bit unsure about a person’s claim to be from PGW should call 911.

For additional information about imposter awareness, visit pgworks.com/safety-reliability/imposter-awareness.

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PGW Files for Gas Cost Rate Adjustment with the PUC

PHILADELPHIA (March 1, 2021) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) has filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to set the annual Gas Cost Rate (GCR) for residential customers at $4.1361 per one thousand cubic feet (Mcf). If approved, the new rate would go into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.

The GCR, currently set at $3.4687 per one thousand cubic feet, reflects the cost of natural gas that PGW purchases from its gas suppliers and does not include a profit margin. The rate is recalculated on a quarterly basis (March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, Dec. 1) to show PGW’s actual costs. Customers are then notified of GCR adjustments through messaging on their bills.

PGW’s residential natural gas rates are determined by two methods: a supply charge and a delivery charge. The supply charge indicates the amount of a customer’s gas usage and what PGW pays for the gas, which is passed on to the customer without change. The delivery charge is based on the costs of delivering natural gas to residences, maintaining distribution systems and other services.

For more information about the GCR, visit pgworks.com/about-us.

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Philadelphia Gas Works Celebrates 2021 Engineers Week

Engineering professionals are essential to the City of Philadelphia’s natural gas infrastructure.

 

PHILADELPHIA (February 22, 2021) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is virtually celebrating Engineers Week from February 21 through February 27. PGW employs engineers in nearly all of its departmental areas across the company, many of whom are graduates of local universities and colleges. Every engineer at PGW supports its mission to enhance the quality of life for all Philadelphians by delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy in an environmentally responsible way.

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, National Engineers Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

This year’s theme is Imagining Tomorrow which recognizes the creative, practical solutions, and work of innovative professionals to design and continuously improve the world we live in.

PGW’s dedicated engineers work on a variety of projects 24/7, 365 days a year to maintain and advance PGW’s vital operations all while driving sustainability efforts. The work includes:

• Managing software and hardware that enables Field Operations and Gas Processing personnel to closely monitor and control critical equipment (valves, motors, and pumps), needed to send natural gas and liquefied natural gas LNG). 
• Supplying and building piping systems that can support carrying -260^o F LNG from the tanks to vaporizers.
• Building and managing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess infrastructure and optimize field operations.
• Designing gas main replacements and supporting annual upgrades of over 30 miles of underground pipeline as part of PGW’s long-term infrastructure improvement program.

“We appreciate and thank our engineers who are instrumental in our ability to maintain and modernize our natural gas system that serves 1.2 million Philadelphia residents every day,” said Daniel J. Cassidy, P.E., Vice President of Technical Operations. “Engineers across PGW also engage their employment in development opportunities to allow them to grow and build their expertise, as well as leverage cross-departmental skills. Their diverse skill-set helps Philadelphia achieve its evolving green energy needs.”

In addition to honoring and recognizing the critical work of the engineering industry, Engineers Week also inspires next-generation students to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) arenas.

PGW believes that hiring the next generation of engineers is key to cultivating and building a greener Philadelphia. To learn what opportunities PGW has available for engineers, visit pgworks.com/careers/employment-opportunities.

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About PGW:

Founded in 1836, The Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is owned by the City of Philadelphia and is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country. It manages a distribution system of approximately 6,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes supplying approximately 500,000 customers. PGW's operations are managed by a non-profit corporation, the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC). More information about the company is available at pgworks.com. 

SOCIAL MEDIA TAGS: PGW Twitter: @MyPGW ~ PGW Facebook: facebook.com/MyPGW ~ PGW Instagram @mypgw ~ PGW YouTube: PhillyGasWorks ~ Nextdoor: nextdoor.com/MyPGW

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