PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There’s been a nearly 40% increase in gas service shutoffs in Philadelphia this year. City Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a resolution calling for hearings on PGW’s shutoff policies.
Jones’ resolution cites reporting from The Philadelphia Tribune that found PGW stopped service to nearly 30,000 customers between April — when the ban on cold-weather shutoffs ends — and August. Between the same period last year, there were roughly 21,000 service suspensions.
“There are things that make you homeless. Losing gas will make you homeless and vulnerable,” Jones said.
State law and PGW rules prohibit shutoffs during the coldest months. Still, Jones said, customers are carrying $160 million in unpaid gas bills.
Jones said hearings on the matter would allow City Council to examine the effectiveness of PGW’s collection practices and consider alternatives to termination.
“We need to now take a harder look at modifying payment agreements that are doable and who is eligible,” he said.
“We often talk about what the federal government is doing to the cost of living for average working people in Philadelphia, but here is an opportunity, a utility that we control, that we can ease the burden to customers in the city of Philadelphia.”
City Council on Thursday unanimously approved Jones’ call for hearings.
