PGW Shares Progress on Low Carbon Pathways Study
Posted on: Aug 14, 2026PGW’s ongoing decarbonization research will shape future energy decisions
PHILADELPHIA (AUGUST 14, 2026) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) held its second community engagement meeting this month to provide a progress update on its Low Carbon Pathways project and to gather public feedback on its ongoing clean energy research. The project, which is expected to be completed by Fall 2026, is exploring long-term decarbonization pathways for future decision making while continuing to prioritize safety, affordability and reliability. Any potential pathway PGW considers must be affordable for customers.
The Low Carbon Pathways study looks at three different scenarios that include a range of technologies including energy efficiency and weatherization, electrification, lower carbon fuels, carbon capture and storage, thermal energy networks, and more. The study will analyze and model data on downstream (after use) and upstream (before use) emissions reductions, total system costs and cost-effectiveness, and customer impacts.
"While no one can predict the future with certainty, our approach lays out a few representative pathways based on the best information we have today,” said Janelle Johnson-Grummert, Director of Sustainability at PGW. “Our goal is to compare the range of different benefits, costs, risks, and implications across these potential scenarios to help inform sound strategic decision-making. We are relying on vetted data from reputable, well-established sources, and building-in transparency and engagement throughout the process. We want our stakeholders to understand how the analysis is being developed, and we want their input to help refine it.”
Environmental Resources Management, Inc. (ERM) was competitively selected by PGW to support analytical modeling. The models are based on a methodology of:
- Data inputs from PGW including historical data and forecasted customer counts and energy usage, taking energy demand reductions from weatherization and energy efficiency technology into account.
- The Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) which is the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) comprehensive projection of the US energy system’s sources and consumption.
- Potential impacts to the electric grid from increased electrification, including infrastructure, generation, and capacity costs.
- Forecasted capital expenditures and maintenance costs for customer equipment, including existing technologies and potential replacements.
- Alternative fuel options, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen, that may become available and incorporated into PGW’s system in the future, helping to lower emissions while using existing infrastructure.
PGW’s second community engagement session provided updates and gathered comments from attendees to continue to help inform PGW’s ongoing and future work. Engagement session presentations, materials and additional information can be found at pgworks.com/sustainability.
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