In The News

LIHEAP Deadline Extended: PGW Customers Can Apply for Up to $1,500 in Free Money Until May 20

PGW reminds customers to apply for a free LIHEAP grant to help with their heating bill

PHILADELPHIA (April 27, 2022) – With the application deadline extended until May 20, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) urges customers to apply for a free Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant of up to $1,500 to help with their natural gas bills.

Customers without utility service or who have received a 10-day shut-off notice can apply for both Crisis Assistance and LIHEAP together on or before the May 20 deadline. Crisis Assistance is an additional federal grant of up to $1,200 that is awarded to income-eligible customers.

LIHEAP applicants must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet the eligibility guidelines, which can be found at pgworks.com/liheap.

Customers can apply for LIHEAP by:

• Printing a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com/liheap.
• Applying at the LIHEAP office at 1348 W. Sedgley Ave. in Philadelphia.
• Visiting one of the 16 Neighborhood Energy Centers spread throughout the city.

“PGW strives to help customers maintain their natural gas service. The grant deadline extension provides all eligible customers with more time to apply for LIHEAP grants. These grants are free and do not have to be repaid,” said Denise Adamucci, PGW’s vice president of regulatory compliance and customer programs. “We know that each year, a significant number of customers do not apply for LIHEAP and do not receive free money that can help pay their natural gas bills. PGW hopes customers take the opportunity now to get the financial relief LIHEAP provides.”

After receiving LIHEAP or Crisis grants, customers needing further assistance may apply for the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF), a privately funded grant. UESF funding, which PGW matches up to a maximum of $1,500, is available to income-eligible customers who are in danger of service termination or whose service was terminated. The grant is designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill and bring it to zero.

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.

For more information on LIHEAP, Crisis, and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance.

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PGW HOME COMFORT HELPS OVER 2,000 LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS CONSERVE ENERGY

Demand-side management programs offer cost savings and reduce local emissions

PHILADELPHIA (April 21, 2022) – In the spirit of the Earth Day 2022 theme “Invest in Our Planet,”  Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) continues to invest in programs that last year reduced carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons — equivalent to planting over 1.65 million trees. These programs include:

• PGW’s Home Comfort which invested over $9 million to help weatherize more than 2,000 low-income customers’ homes and four multi-family buildings (with a majority of low-income tenants) in Philadelphia. The average Home Comfort customer reduced their energy use by 14 percent in the first year after weatherization.

• PGW’s EnergySense which last year awarded $450,000 in rebates to more than 600 residential, commercial, and industrial customers who purchased high efficiency heaters, hot water heaters, and commercial appliances. The average residential customer is expected to save over $150 in utility costs during the first year after installation.
• The PGW EnergySense Marketplace which features price reductions on smart thermostats, along with an instant $70 rebate. Hundreds of PGW customers have purchased the energy efficient devices from the Marketplace.
• The Low Income Smart Thermostat program, launched in early 2022, provides free smart thermostats and complimentary installation for low-income customers.

“As an energy provider, PGW has a responsibility to inform customers about energy efficiency and provide conservation programs which can not only help protect the planet, but can potentially save customers money long term,” said Steven Jerue, Director of Customer Programs at PGW. “In just over 10 years, PGW has invested nearly $70 million in our Home Comfort and EnergySense programs combined, weatherized more than 25,000 low-income customers’ homes, and given grants and rebates to almost 6,800 residential, commercial, and industrial customers.”

Home Comfort and EnergySense are examples of PGW’s commitment to being a leader in Philadelphia’s clean energy future. Over the last year, PGW has announced:

• A Methane Reduction Program that will cut PGW’s emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and seek renewable natural gas (RNG) sources for gas supply, along with other RNG development opportunities;
• The launch of The Energy Innovation Lab, a two-year incubator to support young businesses that have the potential to bring innovation to the energy industry; and
• The construction of PGW’s North Operations Center that will consolidate eight PGW locations into a new, energy efficient building. The North Operations Center will reduce the carbon footprint of the eight buildings it replaces by 50 percent.

For more information on PGW’s sustainability programs, visit PGWEnergySense.com or pgworks.com/community-impact/sustainability.

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PGW’s Customer Call Center Closed for Good Friday

PHILADELPHIA (April 14, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) Customer Call Center will be closed in observance of Good Friday, on April 15, 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.

PGW offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, April 18, 2022.

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 Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and 7- Eleven. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay.

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