City Budget
The city has allocated $1 million to assist low income Philadelphia Gas Works customers this coming winter. The Philadelphia Utility Emergency Services Fund hopes the money will help supplement a lack of federal assistance funding. Heather McClain has more on the story.
By Heather McClain
WHYY News, July 1, 2008
City officials and representatives from Philadelphia Gas Works announced today that $1 million will be allocated to the Utility Emergency Services Fund, for Philadelphians who can't pay their utility bills. According to John Rowe, Executive Director of the fund, this grant will apply exclusively to low-income PGW customers.
"We serve low income utility customers who are either turned off or served a termination notice," said Rowe, "We serve approximately 3,000 families per year and these are customers of PECO, PGW and the Philadelphia Water Department."
The fund received a $1 million grant last year for the same purpose but this year's funds aren't expected to stretch as far since other assistance programs have cut funds and other utility rates are expected to rise. PGW CEO Thomas Knudsen also expects the average household gas bill to go up 30 percent this winter.
More information
In midst of a sweltering summer, $1M plan to ensure a warm winter (7/1/08) Daily News
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