[
Calling 811 ahead of any excavation project is not just the safe thing to do, it’s the law.
PHILADELPHIA (April 8, 2025) – During National Safe Digging Month this April, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) reminds contractors and residents to call 811 or visit pa1call.org, before underground excavation (digging) or any building demolition work, regardless of a project’s size.
PA One Call notifies all possible affected property owners to mark out their underground structures ahead of evacuation or demolition work. PGW, in coordination with 811, processes the requests and marks lines to prevent injuries, property damage, and inconvenient and costly utility outages.
Pennsylvania residents and contractors are legally required to call the Pennsylvania One Call System three to 10 business days prior to beginning an underground excavation project. Creating even a minor trench or hole can lead to significant problems if mishandled before breaking ground. The 811 service is free to any homeowner and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Working in coordination with Pennsylvania 811, PGW safely addressed 69,000 One Call tickets in 2024 to mark underground utility lines across Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with PA One Call, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
It is vital to call 811 ahead of a project because according to Common Ground Alliance:
PGW also encourages Philadelphia residents to call 811 to report any contractor suspected of digging without a valid Pennsylvania One Call ticket, which alerts all facility owners of a possible safety concern. Job sites that do not have visible paint or flag markings should be reported to 811. Natural gas lines are identified and marked by yellow paint or flags. Yellow is specific to natural gas, steam, and petroleum pipelines.
At any time, the smell of gas should be reported immediately to PGW’s emergency hotline at 215-235-1212.
[
There is more time for PGW customers to apply for a grant of up to $1,000 toward their winter heating bills. The application period for a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant has been extended to April 18, 2025.
PHILADELPHIA (March 25, 2025) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is letting families, students, Philadelphia renters and homeowners know that the deadline to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to April 18, 2025. Qualified LIHEAP applicants could receive up to $1,000 in free money for their PGW natural gas bills. If a customer’s service has been terminated, or is in danger of termination, they could receive up to an additional $1,000 via LIHEAP’s Crisis program.
Since the grant period opened in November, PGW has successfully processed more than 32,000 LIHEAP applications with more than $8 million awarded to its customers to date. LIHEAP grants do not have to be repaid.
Here are four easy ways to apply for LIHEAP:
Applicants must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements. Eligibility guidelines are listed below and available here.
“All of our customers deserve access to affordable, safe, and reliable natural gas service without compromising their basic needs. Many Philadelphians are eligible for this money, that is free – don’t leave money on the table this winter,” said Denise Adamucci, Senior Vice President, Customer and Regulatory Affairs at PGW. “We are committed to easing the financial energy burden on hardworking Philadelphians. Please share this valuable information with family, friends, and neighbors who may benefit from the LIHEAP grant as we experience the cold of winter,” added Adamucci.
Customers enrolled in PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) can also apply for LIHEAP for even more assistance with heating bills. Prefer to apply in person or learn more about your eligibility for LIHEAP? Customers can visit any Neighborhood Energy Center across Philadelphia for help with applying for LIHEAP or learning about other heating assistance programs.
[
(Philadelphia, PA – March 17, 2025) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a firm to conduct a geothermal site survey and feasibility study in conjunction with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). The study will assess the feasibility of implementing a closed-loop geothermal system capable of supporting multiple heat pumps for heating and cooling. The exploration of geothermal technology is part of PGW’s diversification efforts, which aim to grow revenue and deliver increased value to its customers while expanding on its clean energy portfolio and lowering emissions. The process will also assist PGW in evaluating what role PGW can play in delivering innovative energy services in addition to natural gas in the future.
“Launching a feasibility study for geothermal in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia is a critical step in the near term to identify strategies to help diversify the revenue of PGW, sustain jobs, reduce emissions, and offer customers a variety of cost-saving energy efficiency options,” said Seth Shapiro, PGW President and Chief Executive Officer. “This kind of partnership is key in keeping PGW financially strong for its customers in the long term, while also delivering on Mayor Parker’s clean and green vision by improving quality of life for Philadelphians.”
By partnering with the SDP, PGW supports the district’s GreenFutures Plan to provide students and staff with a well-resourced, safe, healthy, clean, and comfortable learning and working environment. PGW and SDP selected the John F. McCloskey Elementary School (8500 Pickering Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19150) and the adjacent Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center (8500 Provident Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19150) as the site for the selected proposer to evaluate the networked energy needs and system requirements for a geothermal system. The study will consider factors such as geological conditions, available space for underground bore installations, and the potential design for a decentralized geothermal unit with pumping capabilities.
“By partnering with Philadelphia Gas Works to explore innovative energy solutions within our schools, we aim to provide clean and efficient heating and cooling options, enhance our school environment, reduce costs, and be part of a key initiative that helps pave the way for equitable, sustainable energy strategies that benefit all Philadelphians,” said Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill, School District of Philadelphia.
“There is no silver bullet to meet a clean energy vision; it will take a multifaceted approach. We greatly appreciate the careful planning and due diligence taken by everyone involved to date to get us to this point including feedback from key stakeholders and the public,” said Shapiro. “We value our customers and take seriously our responsibility to pursue innovation that benefits their safety and affordability and helps lay the foundation for the future.”
Interested parties must submit their proposals by 2:00 p.m., April 15, 2025. For more information, please visit this link. Questions relating to the Request for Proposals should be directed in writing to PGW via pgw.procureware.com. Interested vendors may not contact PGW personnel regarding this RFP other than through pgw.procureware.com.
This latest activity adds to PGW’s most recent energy innovation initiatives:
[
Page 6 of 81 pages.