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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:
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.
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PGW awarded as WBEC-East’s “Partner of the Year"
PHILADELPHIA (Oct 1, 2020) – Philadelphia Gas Works has been recognized as “Partner of the Year” at the Women’s Business Enterprise Council East’s (WBEC-East) 2020 Virtual Annual Awards ceremony on Sept 30. PGW received the award for being instrumental in advancing WBEC’s mission of driving “economic growth regionally by identifying, certifying, and facilitating the development of women-owned businesses.”
Erica Patterson, PGW’s Director of Contract Management & Supplier Diversity, who accepted the award said, “PGW is grateful for this honor and we’re proud to stand with WBEC-East to increase opportunity for women business owners. We have enjoyed a successful partnership and look forward to many more accomplishments together.”
PGW supports WBEC-East’s objectives by serving on various committees to help the organization achieve its annual goals. Recently, PGW participated in a WBEC-East interactive webinar that informed members about PGW’s supplier diversity and procurement initiatives.
PGW encourages the growth of companies with certification as Minority, Women, Veteran, and Disabled-owned Business Enterprises. Recently, the company updated and simplified its electronic bidding process to make it easier for area businesses to match their services to PGW’s contracting notices. For more information on PGW’s vendor diversity efforts, visit pgworks.com/business/about-us/procurement/work-with-pgw.
Learn more about WBEC-East at https://wbeceast.com/.
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PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program lowers customers’ bills and economic relief
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 29, 2020) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) has reduced the monthly bill amounts for low-income customers enrolled in PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) further decreasing their energy burden. CRP helps low-income households better afford their bills and receive forgiveness of past debt. Now, based on household income, customers enrolled in CRP may pay as low as 4 percent of their monthly income on their PGW bill.
PGW customers who are newly unemployed, and those who have become low income as a result of COVID-19, or otherwise, are encouraged to apply for CRP now for a lower monthly bill.
Along with lessening the energy burden low-income PGW customers pay, CRP also offers protections such as waiver of late fees. Customers can enroll in CRP online by visiting pgworks.com/crp or can request an application via mail by calling 215-235-1000.
“PGW recognizes that these are very difficult times economically for many of PGW’s low income customers. PGW’s modified CRP program will provide low-income customers with affordable monthly bills for their heating this winter and we hope that will provide them with some financial relief,” said Craig White, President & CEO of PGW. “We encourage eligible low-income customers to apply for CRP now in order to benefit from the same protections all winter long.”
PGW’s robust CRP awareness and outreach campaign informs customers to not wait and apply now to take advantage of the following benefits:
To be eligible for CRP, customers must have a gross household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. CRP monthly bill amounts are based on the size of the customer’s household income. The minimum CRP charge is $25 per month.
In addition to CRP, PGW is reminding customers to apply for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. LIHEAP provides federal grants up to $1,000 to help eligible low-income families pay their heating bills and restore gas service. LIHEAP grants are based on household size and income, are available to both renters and homeowners, and do not have to be repaid. In October, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin delivering applications to customers that have applied the last two years.
PGW also offers several other payment assistance programs:
For more information on all of PGW’s payment assistance programs visit https://www.pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance
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