In The News

PGW Hosts Second Annual Energy Innovation Symposium

Expert panelists from across the Commonwealth and Tri-state region discussed the clean energy future . 

(PHILADELPHIA- January 17, 2025) Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) hosted the second annual Energy Innovation Symposium at Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center on Wednesday, January 15. Leading energy experts discussed what is needed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, how to equitably share the costs, and what success currently looks like.

“As the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country, Philadelphia Gas Works provides safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. As the City’s energy experts, we look to convene other energy experts and facilitators each year to discuss the state and future of the energy sector,” said Seth Shapiro, PGW President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe strongly that new energy solutions require collaboration and partnerships, and our second annual Energy Symposium is vital as players in the energy space look at innovative solutions for the challenges the City of Philadelphia, region, state, and country are facing.”

The panelists on the three symposium panels discussed the impact of state and federal policies, opportunities, partnerships and collaboration in new energy solutions, finding equitable ways to share the cost burden, the need for local, state, and federal funding support, the importance of diverse new energy approaches, and emerging successes with new energy options.

Panel 1: The Roadmap to Net Zero: Opportunities and Realities

Achieving net zero emissions goals by 2050 will require transformational initiatives, monumental expenditures, and large-scale deployment of new technologies, some of which may not yet be commercially available.

The panel, comprised of Stephen DeFrank, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; Aftab Khan, Executive Vice President, Operations and Planning and Security, PJM; and Sam Robinson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, shared their perspective on the current state of infrastructure in the region. The conversation focused on the reliability of the electric grid, the impact of clean energy projects on the interconnection queue to the grid, and the current concerns from Governor Shapiro’s administration on the grid capacity auction prices that influence rising electricity costs.

Panel 2: Sharing Societal Costs: Who Bears the Burden?

All potential clean energy transition pathways will require trillions of dollars in new investments over the next few generations, from upgrading home heaters to installing new interstate transmission lines. In addition to understanding total costs, we must also collectively and carefully evaluate the best structures for funding these costs. The historical utility ratepayer-funded model may not suffice given the scale and complexity involved.

This panel, comprised of H Gil Peach, President, H. Gil Peach & Associates; Cara Goldenberg, Principal, Rocky Mountain Institute; Derek S. Green, Of Counsel, Obermayer, Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP; and Jamie McClintock, Counsel to Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, discussed the need for new utility ratepayer models, and the intricacy of balancing utility investment decisions, customer affordability, and sustainability during the energy transition.

Panel 3: What Does Success Look Like in 2025?

While current complexities and obstacles may seem insurmountable, success stories are emerging today, providing hope for solutions that may develop over time. This panel highlighted recent successes, specifically focusing on opportunities with the potential for significant societal emission reductions, including Utility Geothermal Networks, Renewable Natural Gas, Hybrid Electrification, and Carbon Capture.

The final panel was comprised of Tim Ashmore, Director of Geothermal Business Development, CDM Smith; Amy Cradic, Senior Vice President and COO of Non-Utility Business Strategy and External Affairs, New Jersey Resources; Frank King, Director of RNG Business Development, UGI Energy Services, LLC; Aaron Tasin, Vice President Business Development, Sales and Engineering, Northeast-Western Energy Systems USA LLC discussed their current projects. They outlined the importance of testing diverse new energy approaches like electrification, geothermal, and carbon capture, renewable natural gas and hybrid heating systems and investigating ways to leverage existing gas infrastructure to achieve decarbonization.

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PGW Offices Will Close on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

PHILADELPHIA (January 16, 2025) – Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. PGW’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline (215-235-1212) will remain open only for odor calls and gas-related emergencies.

PGW offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

Customers who need to access account information or pay their bill online can log into their PGW My Account, pay by phone at 215-235-1000, or make cash payments in person at hundreds of local retailers, including Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Speedway, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay. 

Additionally, customers can now manage their My Account from the PGW mobile app. The one-stop app is a convenient way to manage your account, monitor usage, make payments, and more! Customers can download the app for free on the Apple store or on Google Play. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay. 

Philadelphia Gas Works recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a “day on” instead of a “day off”. Giving back to the City of Philadelphia is an opportunity to support the communities PGW takes great pride in serving.  Employees and customers interested in participating in service opportunities can visit, https://mlkdayofservice.org/ for more information and project details.

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PGW Offices Will Close in Observance of New Year’s Day

PHILADELPHIA (December 30, 2024) – Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) offices will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. PGW’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline (215-235-1212) will only remain open for odor calls and gas-related emergencies.

PGW offices will resume regular business hours on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Customers who need to access account information or pay their bill online can log into their PGW My Account, pay by phone at 215-235-1000, or make cash payments in person at hundreds of local retailers, including Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Speedway, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay. 

Additionally, customers can now manage their My Account from the PGW mobile app. The one-stop app is a convenient way to manage your account, monitor usage, make payments, and more! Customers can download the app for free on the Apple store or on Google Play. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay. 

PGW wishes its customers and the residents of Philadelphia a safe and healthy New Year. Be sure to celebrate responsibly.

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