Philadelphia Gas Works

Philadelphia Gas Works
Public utility
Industry Energy industry
Founded 1836
Headquarters United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Services Natural Gas
Website www.pgworks.com

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is the nation's largest municipally owned natural gas utility.

History

PGW began providing gas service to the City of Philadelphia on February 10, 1836, when the city's first 46 gas lights were turned on along Second Street, between Vine and South Streets. In 1841, PGW came under city ownership and in 1897 UGI Corporation (then United Gas Improvement Company) was contracted by the city to operate and manage PGW. Similar contracts were effective until December 1972 at which time the City contracted with Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation to operate and manage PGW.

By the 1940s, PGW was serving some 500,000 customers in Philadelphia, providing 99% of the gas distributed within the city limits.[1] At this time, the gas provided was primarily carbureted water gas.[1] In 1947, the City of Philadelphia stated that it valued PGW at more than US$100,000,000.[2]

In 2014, the City of Philadelphia attempted to sell PGW to UIL Holdings Corporation for US$1.86 billion, pending approval from the Philadelphia City Council,[3] which was ultimately declined [4]

Awards

The American Public Gas Association has awarded PGW its 2010 Marketing and Sales Award.[5] In 2009, PGW had an advertising campaign showing customers and the public about the value of natural gas.

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Castenda 1993, pg. 105
  2. Castenda 1993, pg. 107
  3. Shelly, Jared (March 3, 2014). "PGW under agreement for $1.86 billion". Philadelphia Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  4. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20141205_UIL_ends_its_bid_for_owning_PGW.html
  5. "PGW Wins National Award". Philadelphia Public Record (James Tayoun, Sr.). 2010-09-09. p. 6. Retrieved 2010-09-10. The Philadelphia Gas Works has received the American Public Gas Association's prestigious 2010 Marketing and Sales Award after a national competition. Jeffery Tuttle from CPS Energy said, 'PGW is the oldest municipal gas system in the US and on the eve of the 50th anniversary of APGA, it is an honor to recognize PGW with this Marketing and Sales Award.'

References

External links

Coordinates: 39°58′45″N 75°08′57″W / 39.979232°N 75.149268°W