In The News

PGW CONNECTS CUSTOMERS TO PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AS MORATORIUM ENDS

PGW ramps up outreach to help vulnerable customers keep service ahead of winter

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 29, 2020) – Beginning next week, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) will contact nearly 50,000 customers who are behind on their natural gas bills to connect them with PGW’s payment assistance programs, to make payment arrangements, or notify PGW of your household income to determine if you are eligible for protection from further action.

With the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission lifting its service termination moratorium on Nov. 9, the Commission required utilities to notify customers who may be at risk of termination for non-payment of available programs. PGW urges customers facing financial challenges to contact PGW immediately at 215-235-1000, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to explore their options for maintaining service. 

“Our goal is to help customers maintain their natural gas service and avoid service termination. We know many Philadelphians are facing financial stress and PGW has a variety of programs to help customers pay their bills,” said Craig White, President & CEO of PGW. “We are urging customers to contact PGW as soon as possible to get the economic relief they need, stay current on their account, and continue the delivery of safe, reliable natural gas service.”

Among the payment assistance programs for customers is PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP), which was recently modified to further reduce monthly bill amounts for low-income customers enrolled in the program. CRP helps low-income households better afford their bills and receive forgiveness of past debt. Based on household income, customers enrolled in CRP could pay as little as 4 percent of their monthly income on their PGW bill.

In addition, starting Nov. 2, customers can apply for a free LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) grant ranging from $200 to $1,000. LIHEAP is a federal grant that helps income-eligible families pay their heating bills and restore gas service. The grants are available to renters and homeowners, and do not have to be repaid.

Several more PGW payment assistance programs are available for customers, including:

• Payment Arrangements: For PGW customers who fall behind.
• Budget Billing: Sets up a consistent pay amount each month of the year.
• UESF (Utility Emergency Services Fund): A grant designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill and bring it to $0.
• Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Program (CARES): Provides referral assistance to residential customers with special circumstances. These might include medical emergencies, unemployment or other temporary hardships.

For more information on all of PGW’s payment assistance programs visit  https://www.pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance

[

PGW CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC NATURAL GAS WEEK

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 7, 2020) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) joins the American Public Gas Association in celebrating National Public Natural Gas Week, Oct. 4-10, which was established to honor the work and importance of locally-owned public natural gas systems.

PGW – the largest municipally owned natural gas utility in the U.S. – has been an essential part of Philadelphia since 1836, contributing to the City’s economic growth, participating in community service, and enhancing quality of life for its customers. PGW has also enjoyed close working relationships with city agencies including first responders such as the Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments.

Most of PGW’s 1,600 employees live in the City and are personally invested in delivering outstanding service to its residents, families, neighbors and to businesses.  Likewise, PGW appreciates the support of its customers who prefer the many benefits of natural gas to affordably warm their homes and buildings, cook fresh meals, heat water, and use appliances in an environmentally responsible way.

As families spend more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the weather cools, PGW is committed to the safety of customers and ensuring that service is there when they need it.

Follow PGW at @MyPGW for more information on Public Natural Gas Week.

[

PGW PROMOTES KITCHEN SAFETY DURING NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

PGW also recognizes and thanks the courageous service of the Philadelphia Fire Department

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 5, 2020) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) will raise the importance of practicing kitchen safety during National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 4 to 10. PGW will join the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in highlighting the campaign’s theme – “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” – and offer simple steps to keep customers safe as families spend more time at home amid the health crisis.

According to data on the NFPA’s website, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S. Each year, more than 165,000 home fires are related to cooking and food preparation. Approximately half of home fires start in the kitchen and 66% of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“PGW is proud to deliver safe, reliable service for heating and cooking to customers who prefer using natural gas, especially to prepare meals,” said Edward Fennell, Safety Manager at PGW. “Because so many families are working or learning virtually from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more chances to be distracted when cooking and leave an oven or a stove unattended. We want to remind PGW customers to remain vigilant, keep their kitchens safe, and know what to do in case of an emergency.”

PGW recommends the following tips for cooking safely:

• Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, aprons, and food packages – away from the stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Establish a “child-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove.
• In the event of an oven grease fire, immediately turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Make sure smoke detectors are working.
• Before a fire grows out of control, leave home immediately and call 911 to alert the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Throughout the year, and particularly during Fire Prevention Week, PGW appreciates and thanks the dedicated men and women of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) who selflessly and heroically protect the city’s homes, businesses and properties.

To learn more about fire safety, visit the Philadelphia Fire Department’s website.

For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org.

[

Page 47 of 81 pages.