Philadelphia Gas Works
Philadelphia Gas Works is the United States' 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 was contracted by the city to operate and manage PGW. Similar contracts were effective until December 1972 at which time the City contracted with nonprofit Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation to operate and manage PGW. The seven-member board of directors of PFMC is appointed by the Mayor and its responsibilities, as set forth in a Management Agreement between the City and PFMC, make PFMC responsible for all operations of PGW through an executive management team including a chief executive officer, a chief operating officer, and a chief financial officer. By the 1940s, PGW was serving some 500,000 customers in Philadelphia, providing 99% of the gas distributed within the city limits. At this time, the gas provided was primarily carbureted water gas. In 1947, the City of Philadelphia stated that it valued PGW at more than.
In 2014, the City of Philadelphia attempted to sell PGW to UIL Holdings Corporation for, pending approval from the Philadelphia City Council, which was ultimately declined.Awards
The American Public Gas Association has awarded PGW its 2010 Marketing and Sales Award. In 2009, PGW had an advertising campaign showing customers and the public about the value of natural gas.
