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About Philadelphia Gas Works

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the United States and has been serving Philadelphia since 1836. PGW manages and maintains more than 6,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes and serves approximately 500,000 customers throughout Philadelphia.

PGW provides natural gas delivery, billing, account services, and outage and emergency support to customers across the city. It also participates in Pennsylvania’s Gas Choice program, which allows eligible PGW customers to choose a competitive natural gas supplier instead of purchasing their natural gas supply directly from PGW.

Philadelphia Gas Works Natural Gas Options

PGW delivers natural gas to customers throughout Philadelphia. Through Pennsylvania’s Gas Choice program, PGW customers can choose an approved competitive natural gas supplier for their supply while PGW continues to provide the delivery service. PGW maintains a list of suppliers approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and City Power and Gas LLC is currently listed as an approved natural gas supplier for both residential and business customers.

Customers can use PGW’s Price to Compare when evaluating competitive supplier offers. PGW defines the Price to Compare as the amount it charges that customers can use to compare prices and potential savings with other natural gas suppliers. The comparison price is quoted in cents per Ccf, or 100 cubic feet of natural gas.

Utility vs ESCO(CPG): What’s the Difference?

Energy Deregulation in Pennsylvania

Energy deregulation in Pennsylvania gives customers greater control over their energy supplier. Rather than automatically purchasing electricity or natural gas at the utility’s default rate, customers can choose a supplier that offers a plan suited to their preferences. The local utility still remains responsible for delivering the energy and handling service outages.

The presence of competing suppliers also means customers can compare different plans and pricing instead of depending on a single supply option from the utility. You don’t have to make a switch if you don’t want to. Customers who remain with their utility’s default supply will continue paying the applicable default rate, which changes with movements in the energy market.

CPG provides fixed-rate plans for customers who want their supply price to remain consistent throughout their agreement. Depending on your needs, you can choose a 3, 6, 9, or 12-month term. CPG also offers affordable, renewable-friendly pricing options, giving you different ways to approach your energy supply while planning your costs with greater predictability.

FAQs

1. Is PGW a utility or an ESCO?

PGW is a natural gas utility, not an ESCO. It delivers natural gas through its distribution system and continues to handle utility services even when a customer chooses a competitive natural gas supplier. PGW’s Gas Choice program allows customers to purchase their natural gas supply from an approved supplier while PGW remains responsible for delivery.

The roles are different:

• PGW: delivers natural gas and maintains the gas distribution system.
• Competitive supplier: provides the natural gas supply.
• Customer: can choose whether to purchase supply from PGW or an approved supplier.

PGW’s current approved supplier list includes City Power and Gas LLC for both residential and business customers.

2. What areas does PGW serve?

PGW provides natural gas service throughout Philadelphia. Unlike utilities that operate across multiple counties or regions, PGW’s service territory is centered on the City of Philadelphia.

PGW currently serves approximately 500,000 customers and manages more than 6,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes.

If you receive your natural gas service from PGW, you can check the Gas Choice options available to your account through PGW’s approved supplier program.

3. What does PGW cover if I switch to an ESCO?

Switching to a competitive natural gas supplier like CPG changes who supplies your natural gas, but PGW continues to deliver the gas to your property. Choosing a supplier does not mean replacing PGW’s gas distribution system.

PGW continues to handle the utility side of your service, including:

• Delivering natural gas through its distribution system
• Maintaining gas mains and service pipes
• Providing utility service and account support
• Responding to gas emergencies

PGW specifically states that customers who choose another supplier continue to receive their natural gas distribution service from PGW.

4. Can I switch back to PGW after choosing an ESCO?

Yes. PGW customers can switch back to PGW’s natural gas supply service after choosing a competitive supplier. PGW’s Gas Choice FAQ specifically addresses customers who want to return to PGW after selecting another supplier.

Before making a change, review the supplier agreement for its cancellation and contract terms.

Your delivery service does not need to be physically reconnected when you change suppliers. PGW remains the natural gas distribution utility regardless of which supplier provides your gas supply.

5. Does choosing an ESCO affect my PGW bill?

Yes, choosing a competitive supplier can change the supply portion of your bill, while PGW’s delivery charges continue to apply. PGW remains responsible for delivering the natural gas even after you select another supplier.

The two parts can be understood as:

• Supply: the cost of the natural gas provided by your chosen supplier.
• Delivery: the charges associated with delivering that gas through PGW’s distribution system.

PGW also offers consolidated billing arrangements for participating suppliers. Its Gas Choice program allows approved suppliers to participate in PGW’s billing program, although billing arrangements can depend on the supplier.

When comparing CPG with PGW’s supply service, use PGW’s current Price to Compare and review the supplier’s rate and contract terms. PGW specifically recommends comparing a supplier’s rate with PGW’s rate when evaluating potential savings.

6. What is PGW’s Price to Compare?

PGW’s Price to Compare is the amount customers can use to compare PGW’s natural gas supply price with offers from competitive suppliers. PGW quotes its Price to Compare in cents per Ccf, where one Ccf represents 100 cubic feet of natural gas.

This gives customers a baseline when reviewing an offer from CPG or another approved supplier.

When comparing plans, don’t look at the supply rate alone. Check:

• PGW’s current Price to Compare
• The supplier’s price per Ccf
• Whether the supplier’s rate is fixed or variable
• Contract length
• Cancellation and renewal terms
• Any additional applicable charges

PGW itself recommends that customers compare a new supplier’s rate with PGW’s rate and carefully review the supplier’s terms before enrolling.

7. Does PGW deliver the same quality of natural gas if I choose CPG?

Yes. Choosing a different natural gas supplier does not create a separate gas delivery system. The natural gas continues to reach your property through PGW’s distribution infrastructure.

PGW’s Gas Choice FAQ specifically addresses this point and states that the quality of the gas does not change when a customer selects another supplier.

The supplier you choose affects the supply arrangement and pricing terms, while PGW continues to operate the local distribution system.

8. Who do I call if I have a gas emergency after switching suppliers?

You should contact PGW for a natural gas emergency, even if you purchase your gas supply from CPG or another competitive supplier. The supplier you choose does not replace PGW as the local gas distribution utility.

PGW lists 215-235-1212 for gas emergencies.

For a billing or supply-plan question, contact the appropriate supplier. For a gas leak, outage, or other delivery emergency, PGW remains the utility contact.