In The News

LIHEAP Deadline Extended Until May 12: PGW Customers Urged to Apply Now for Up to $1,000 in Free Money

Customers facing service termination may also apply for a Crisis Grant for as much as $2,000

PHILADELPHIA (April 24, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) urges customers who have difficulty paying their natural gas bills to apply for up to $1,000 in free money – today. The deadline for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program* (LIHEAP) has been extended through May 12.

LIHEAP grants can provide up to $1,000 to help households afford their winter heating bills. The grants are available for both homeowners and renters and do not have to be repaid.

Additionally, customers without natural gas service, or those who have received a 10-day shut-off notice, may apply for Crisis Assistance along with LIHEAP. The federal Crisis Assistance grant could award up to $2,000 to income-eligible customers. Those who apply for both LIHEAP and Crisis Assistance grants could receive up to $3,000, which would cover most customers’ heating costs.

Customers can apply for LIHEAP by:

• Visiting one of the more than a dozen Neighborhood Energy Centers conveniently located throughout the City and receiving one-on-one assistance from PGW-trained energy experts
• Texting “CASH” to 77037.
• Printing a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com/liheap. Applications should be mailed by May 1, 2023.

To meet LIHEAP eligibility guidelines, a household’s income must be at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements, which can be found at pgworks.com/liheap.

LIHEAP grants for PGW customers are applied directly to the “Please Pay” amount of their bill. Customers enrolled in PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) benefit from both their regular CRP discount and the additional LIHEAP grant when paying their bills. 

After receiving LIHEAP or Crisis grants, customers needing further assistance may apply to the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF), a privately funded grant. UESF funding, which PGW matches up to a maximum of $1,500, is available to income-eligible customers in danger of service termination or whose service was terminated. The grant is designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill and bring it to zero.

For more information on LIHEAP, Crisis Assistance, and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance. 

*New location: The LIHEAP office is in a new location this year – 1163 S. Broad St, Phila, PA 19147.

[

PGW’S CUSTOMER CALL CENTER CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY

PHILADELPHIA (April 6, 2023) – Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) Customer Call Center will be closed in observance of Good Friday, on April 7, 2023. PGW’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline will remain open for emergency calls. All odor calls or gas-related emergencies should be reported immediately by calling 215-235-1212.

PGW offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, April 10, 2023.

Customers who need to access account information or pay their bill online can log into their PGW My Account, pay by phone at 215-235-1000, or make cash payments in person at hundreds of local retailers, including Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Rite Aid. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay. 

[

PGW and Temple University Announce Second Round Energy Innovation Lab Cohort

Energy entrepreneurs are encouraged to join the incubator to cultivate their products or services that advance clean energy and affordability.

PHILADELPHIA (March 7, 2023) – At Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) recent Energy Innovation Symposium, PGW and Temple University’s Small Business Development Center (TU SBDC) announced the second cohort of The Energy Innovation Lab. The lab serves as a small business incubator that hosts entrepreneurs whose ground-breaking products or services have the potential to reimagine the energy sector.

Established in 2021, the Energy Innovation Lab provides entrepreneurs with comprehensive TU SBDC entrepreneurship support and PGW mentors to advance their sustainable energy concepts that can help meet Philadelphia’s growing energy needs, promote energy efficiency and affordability, as well as help the City meet its 2050 goal of carbon neutrality. The chosen entrepreneur(s) will receive hands-on training, mentoring, and real-time feedback from PGW energy industry experts and TU SBDC business development consultants.

Applicants for the two-year program must have solutions that are beyond the proof-of-concept stage and moving to product development. Selected energy entrepreneur(s) will receive comprehensive business support services for the duration of the two-year program and a stipend of up to $30,000. Applications are being accepted through April 25, 2023.

A knowledgeable panel of volunteer judges from Philadelphia’s leading energy, innovation, and start-up development organizations will oversee a two-round evaluation process. Applicants’ proposals will be evaluated and ranked based on viability and alignment with PGW’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for all by delivering safe, reliable, affordable energy in an environmentally responsible way.

The lab currently supports two companies: ATP-PA, which is developing an economical method of capturing carbon dioxide; and Metal Light, which is developing a portable power generator fueled by metal and air with zero emissions.

“Having large groups like PGW and TU SBDC work with early-stage startups in this way is really important for growing the startup ecosystem, especially here in Philadelphia where there’s a lot of potential for that ecosystem,” said Ryan Geothals, Metal Light’s Chief Technology Officer.

Joe James, President of ATP-PA, added: “PGW is very committed to the quality of life and the health of the City. We’re honored to help them make Philadelphia an even better place.”

“We are excited to welcome a new cohort to the Energy Innovation Lab and to discover how their concepts can drive both our local economy and clean energy future,” said Elliott Gold, Vice President of Corporate Planning at PGW. “PGW sees tremendous potential from the entrepreneurs in the lab’s first cohort and we are honored to work with them. We appreciate our partnership with Temple University’s Small Business Development Center, the business community, and the volunteer judges for their vision and dedication in making the Energy Innovation Lab possible.”

To learn more about the program, application process, judges, and timelines please visit incubator.pgworks.com.

[

Page 20 of 81 pages.