In The News

PGW Participates in Microgrid Competition for Area College Students

Competition kicks off National Engineers Week at
PGW by recognizing the achievements of local engineers

PHILADELPHIA (February 21, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is joining Temple University, College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and Burns Engineering Inc, in launching Innovate the Future: Collegiate Microgrid Design Competition.

The competition calls for the design and development of portable microgrids providing uninterrupted power for urban and remote communities. Innovate the Future is open to teams of Philadelphia-area senior undergraduate or graduate-level students.

The competition will occur over two phases:

• The “Theoretical Design” phase (from February 2022 to August 2022): student teams will develop software designs of optimized portable microgrids. Six teams will be selected, based on their designs, to receive $200 each and participate in Phase 2;  and
• The “Practical Implementation” phase (from October 2022 to September 2023): The six finalist teams will implement their designs. Three winning teams will be selected to receive $500 each.

The microgrid competition corresponds with National Engineers Week 2022 (Feb. 20 - 26) and its theme of “Reimagining the Possible,” which includes a call to “engage students in engineering.” 

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, National Engineers Week promotes a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in engineering and technology careers. During the week, NPSE will celebrate how engineers make a difference in the world; encourage conversations about the need for engineers, technicians, and technologists; and recognize how engineers create new possibilities.

In addition to aligning with Engineers Week objectives through the microgrid competition, PGW celebrates the valuable contributions of its employee engineers who:

• Manage complex software and hardware systems that allow PGW field operations and gas processing employees to monitor and control the critical equipment (valves, motors, and pumps) needed to distribute and store natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). 
• Build and manage a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess infrastructure and optimize field operations.
• Design natural gas mains to renew over 35 miles of underground pipelines annually as part of PGW’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Program to improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
• Implement technology and strategies for PGW’s methane reduction efforts to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

For more information about National Engineering week, visit nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/engineers-week.

To discover engineering employment opportunities at Philadelphia Gas Works, visit pgworks.com/careers/employment-opportunities.

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PGW Customer Care Center Closed for Presidents’ Day

PHILADELPHIA (February 17, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) Customer Care Center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 21, 2022. PGW’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline will remain open for emergency calls. All gas leaks or gas-related emergencies should be immediately reported by calling 215-235-1212.

Customers who need to access account information or pay their bill can log into their PGW MyAccount or make cash payments in person at hundreds of local retailers, including CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and 7- Eleven. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay.

Philadelphia is home to the nation’s founding where many past presidents planned for and debated about America’s future. PGW encourages customers and residents to safely take advantage of the rich history the City of Philadelphia through a variety of local Presidents’ Day events.  

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PGW OFFERS MONEY & ENERGY SAVING TIPS IN THE GRIP OF COLD WEATHER

Weatherization, smart thermostats, payment assistance programs, and tax credits are tools available to help keep customers warm and save them money

PHILADELPHIA (February 3, 2022) – As winter weather blankets the city, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) offers customers several tips on how to stay warm in their homes, conserve energy, and manage their home heating bills.

Customers can reduce their home heating costs and conserve energy by converting to smart thermostats, available with an instant $70 rebate through the PGW Marketplace. Smart thermostats can be controlled by a cell phone and include conservation features such as motion sensors, alerts, and integration with other smart devices.

A limited number of low-income customers may be eligible for free smart thermostats, including installation, at no cost.

PGW’s EnergySense offers rebates of up to $1,300 for customers installing high-efficiency heating and hot water heating equipment that maintain comfort while using less gas. The new, affordable EnergySense incentives offer income-qualifying customers with larger rebates of up to $1,800.

PGW programs such as Home Comfort offer low-income customers free energy weatherization services which improve comfort and reduce energy use. In the more than 10 years since the program began, PGW has invested over $75 million to weatherize 25,550 low-income customer homes and 26 multi-family buildings (with a majority of low-income tenants) in Philadelphia.

PGW also encourages customers to take steps to weatherize their homes to maximize indoor heat and save money by:

• Applying caulk to wall cracks, gaps, or joints smaller than one-fourth inches wide.
• Applying weather stripping around doors and windows.
• Covering windows from the inside with plastic sheeting or shrink film.
• Installing foam draft guards at the bottoms of external-facing doors.
• Ensuring heating vents are not blocked by rugs or furniture to allow air to circulate properly.
• Setting the thermostat as low as comfortable during waking hours and lowering the thermostat seven to 10 degrees while asleep or away from home.
• Taking advantage of natural light for home heat during the day.

For those who need help with their monthly natural gas bills, PGW encourages customers to apply for  several payment assistance options such as LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), a federal grant of up to $1,500 for homeowners and renters that does not have to be repaid. In addition to LIHEAP, customers who have received a 10-day shut-off notice can apply for Crisis Assistance, a federal grant of up to $1,200 awarded to income-eligible customers. 

Additionally, some PGW households may qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for as much as $6,738 from the Internal Revenue Service. Approximately 226,000 Philadelphians were eligible for EITC last year, yet nearly 20 percent of qualifying households did not apply. Families filing for the first time could receive refunds for 2018-2020. The filing deadline is April 18, 2022. For more information, visit phila.gov/documents/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc-employer-notice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

To learn more about PGW’s customer assistance programs, go to pgworks.com/customer-care/payment-assistance.

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