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A Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program grant could cover a PGW customer’s heating costs for an entire winter
PHILADELPHIA (November 1, 2023) – As the cost of natural gas falls and the potential of extreme winter weather looms, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers can more affordably warm their homes with a federal grant. Beginning today, November 1, 2023, income eligible PGW customers can apply for a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant of up to $1,000 in free money that does not have to be repaid to pay their winter heating bills. PGW encourages both renters and homeowners to apply now.
Last month, the federal government released nearly $3.7 billion in LIHEAP funding to lower energy costs for families. With the average yearly household heating bill at $1,355 LIHEAP could cover a substantial amount of a residential customer’s natural gas bills.
“LIHEAP removes a financial burden for many of our customers and ensures they have access to heat and hot water throughout the colder months,” said Denise Adamucci, Senior Vice President, Customer and Regulatory Affairs at PGW. “We urge customers who need help to apply for LIHEAP today. Applications are available online at pgworks.com and customers can also visit more than a dozen Neighborhood Energy Centers across the city to meet with PGW-trained energy counselors to apply for LIHEAP and have their questions answered,” Adamucci added.
PGW customers can also text the word “CASH” to 77037 to receive an application. Applicants must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements. Eligibility guidelines are available at pgworks.com/liheap. The application period for LIHEAP ends April 5, 2024.
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.
Those without utility service or who have received a 10-day shut-off notice can apply for both Crisis Assistance and LIHEAP together. Crisis Assistance is an additional federal grant up to $1,000 that is awarded to income-eligible customers.
For more information on LIHEAP, Crisis Assistance, and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance.
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For some Greater Philadelphia companies looking to grow their business, gaining access to information, or acquiring the right contacts, can be a barrier to greater success. Recognizing the challenges these businesses face, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) established the PGW Diverse Business Development Program (DBDP): Fostering Diverse Enterprises and Promoting Economic Expansion, a nine-month educational approach to help diverse and local suppliers prepare for and navigate the procurement process and potential contracting opportunities in the natural gas industry.
The program is a win-win opportunity for all involved: PGW can increase its potential diverse vendor pool; businesses interested in the natural gas industry will gain valuable knowledge and experience; and Philadelphia communities benefit through increased economic and job opportunities.
“PGW’s Diverse Business Development Program is a great way for us to foster, develop, and coach those small diverse organizations on how to work with companies like ours and gain a competitive advantage,” said Dr. Erica Patterson, Director of Contract Management and Supplier Diversity at PGW.
The inaugural cohort of seven diverse business professionals arrived at PGW’s new North Operations Center on October 18, 2023, to begin a nine-course curriculum – developed by PGW – tailored toward gas main replacement construction. Future cohort participants can help mold a clean energy future for Philadelphia.
Throughout the duration of the program, the program participants will:
As the program proceeds, each business will have the opportunity to learn and understand the qualifying requirements of our gas main replacement program and future contract opportunities through trainings, assessments, and demonstrations with small pilot projects.
The program will be conducted monthly with a hybrid structure offering both virtual and in-person learning modules that will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (most modules) at PGW’s offices. Once the program concludes successfully in June 2024, each DBDP participant will earn a certificate of completion from the program.
The seven businesses participating in the inaugural cohort of PGW’s DBDP are:
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“PGW is honored and happy to put this program into place and grateful to the business executives who joined this endeavor,” said Dr. Patterson. “This program will not only benefit the professional business owners enrolled, but also help the community PGW serves to grow and promote an inclusive environment through corporate-community partnerships.”
(Left to right)
William Bowie, President & CEO – Empower Construction, LLC, Patricia LaRoche, President & Owner – Cameron Associates 8, LLC, L Elaine Johnson, President – LaPutt Enterprise, LLC, Dominiques Fragoso, Project Administrator Assistant – G&B Construction Company, Pat Sanford, CEO – Alexander Perry, Inc., Valarie Cofield, Executive Vice President, Business Development – Carr & Duff, LLC, and Jonathan Cedotal, Owner - Cedotal Construction.
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PHILADELPHIA (October 3, 2023) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) joins the American Public Gas Association (APGA) in celebrating National Public Natural Gas Week (October 1-7, 2023), a nationwide observance to inform the public about the benefits of natural gas for residential and commercial customers.
This week and beyond, PGW raises awareness of the benefits of natural gas to communities across the nation and recognizes that a critical path to a lower carbon future includes natural gas as a safe, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy source.
Natural gas is also the cleanest burning fossil fuel that offers low-cost, long-term price stability due to its domestic availability and local abundance. What’s more, between 2005 and 2009 in the U.S. natural gas was responsible for 61% of cumulative power-sector carbon dioxide emissions reductions through changes in the fuel mix.
PGW customers have enjoyed the advantages of natural gas while PGW, through its main and service replacement programs, has reduced emissions from 20,341 metric tons in 1990 to 10,537 metric tons in 2020, a 48 percent reduction. PGW’s goal is to further reduce methane emissions through all of its main and service replacement programs by 9,019 metric tons by 2058.
The use of natural gas contributes to a variety of everyday experiences and necessities for Philadelphia residents and business owners: They include:
PGW has been delivering safe and reliable natural gas to Philadelphia for over 185 years. Industry expertise and changing energy needs drives PGW to advance a clean energy future for accessible and affordable energy for generations to come.
To learn more about the benefits of natural gas and how your public natural gas system works, please visit, https://www.pgworks.com/community-impact/in-the-community.
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