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PGW Shares Progress on Low Carbon Pathways Study

PGW’s ongoing decarbonization research will shape future energy decisions

 

PHILADELPHIA (AUGUST 14, 2026) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) held its second community engagement meeting this month to provide a progress update on its Low Carbon Pathways project and to gather public feedback on its ongoing clean energy research.  The project, which is expected to be completed by Fall 2026, is exploring long-term decarbonization pathways for future decision making while continuing to prioritize safety, affordability and reliability.  Any potential pathway PGW considers must be affordable for customers.

 

The Low Carbon Pathways study looks at three different scenarios that include a range of technologies including energy efficiency and weatherization, electrification, lower carbon fuels, carbon capture and storage, thermal energy networks, and more. The study will analyze and model data on downstream (after use) and upstream (before use) emissions reductions, total system costs and cost-effectiveness, and customer impacts.

 

"While no one can predict the future with certainty, our approach lays out a few representative pathways based on the best information we have today,” said Janelle Johnson-Grummert, Director of Sustainability at PGW. “Our goal is to compare the range of different benefits, costs, risks, and implications across these potential scenarios to help inform sound strategic decision-making. We are relying on vetted data from reputable, well-established sources, and building-in transparency and engagement throughout the process. We want our stakeholders to understand how the analysis is being developed, and we want their input to help refine it.”

 

Environmental Resources Management, Inc. (ERM) was competitively selected by PGW to support analytical modeling. The models are based on a methodology of:

  • Data inputs from PGW including historical data and forecasted customer counts and energy usage, taking energy demand reductions from weatherization and energy efficiency technology into account.
  • The Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) which is the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) comprehensive projection of the US energy system’s sources and consumption.  
  • Potential impacts to the electric grid from increased electrification, including infrastructure, generation, and capacity costs.
  • Forecasted capital expenditures and maintenance costs for customer equipment, including existing technologies and potential replacements.
  • Alternative fuel options, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen, that may become available and incorporated into PGW’s system in the future, helping to lower emissions while using existing infrastructure.

 

PGW’s second community engagement session provided updates and gathered comments from attendees to continue to help inform PGW’s ongoing and future work. Engagement session presentations, materials and additional information can be found at pgworks.com/sustainability.


PHILADELPHIA GAS WORKS URGES EVERYONE TO ‘KNOW WHAT’S BELOW’—CONTACT 811 BEFORE DIGGING

In observance of National 811 Day, remember to call 8-1-1 before you dig to protect yourself and your community

 

PHILADELPHIA (August 11, 2026) – Today is August 11 – National 811 Day. Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), along with other utilities, contractors, excavators, and property owners across the nation are joining the national effort to raise awareness about safe digging practices.  National 811 Day serves as an important reminder for residents and contractors to call 811 before starting any digging project, whether planting flowers or building a deck. When a resident calls 811, the Pennsylvania One Call ticket will notify all utility companies with infrastructure in the area. Utilities then send trained technicians to the property to mark the exact locations of their underground lines using flags or spray paint.
 

Why call 811?

Regardless of the size of the project, anyone planning to pave, excavate, or demolish a structure in Pennsylvania that has utility service or is adjacent to a utility line, including electric, telephone, water, sewer and gas, should – and is legally required to – call Pennsylvania 811 before work begins. This law helps prevent dangerous and costly damage to underground utility lines and protect homeowners, utility workers, the community and residents in the area.

PGW also encourages city residents to call 811 to report any job sites without visible paint or flag markings onsite. Reporting a job site that may be digging without a valid Pennsylvania One Call ticket marking in place alerts all facility owners of a possible safety concern. 

How to call 811?

Dialing 811 connects homeowners and contractors to the Pennsylvania “One Call” system. This system alerts utilities to identify the location of their service or distribution lines within the scope of the proposed worksite. The 811 service is free to any homeowner and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When to call 811?

It is required to call three to 10 business days prior to beginning a project.

What do the colorful markings on the street represent?

Utilities mark their lines with specific color codes:

  • Red represents electric power lines, conduit and power cables
  • Orange represents communication lines
  • Blue represents water
  • Green represents sewers and drain lines
  • Yellow, which PGW marks, represents natural gas utility lines or steam.

Over the last year, PGW marked underground natural gas lines for more than 70,000 planned and emergency projects in Philadelphia ahead of contractors, residents, and excavators breaking any ground.

 

Learn more about the importance and responsibility of calling 811 before any digging occurs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_IpxRdKM.

At any time, the smell of gas or a foreign odor should be reported immediately to PGW’s emergency hotline at 215-235-1212 or 911.


PFMC Selects Brian Dingerdissen as Next PGW Chief Financial Officer

PHILADELPHIA (August 11, 2026) – Today the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC) announced the appointment of Brian Dingerdissen as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). As a seasoned utility finance executive and leader with more than two decades of experience in regulated water and natural gas utilities. Dingerdissen joins at a pivotal moment as PGW builds upon decades of financial improvement and infrastructure investment while helping to shape Philadelphia’s evolving energy future.

PGW’s financial turnaround over the past 25 years has been extraordinary. PGW dramatically improved relevant financial metrics since 2001, including:

“On behalf of the entire PFMC Board, I would like to express our excitement in welcoming Brian to PGW,” said Leigh Whitaker, Chair of the PFMC Board. “Brian brings a rare blend of financial depth, industry knowledge, and strategic planning experience. We are confident that he will be a tremendous asset to PGW’s leadership team to continue building on the foundation built by outgoing CFO, Joseph F. Golden Jr.”

Dingerdissen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in regulated utility operations, finance, planning and strategy. Most recently, he served as the Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, Investor Relations, and Treasurer for Essential Utilities, the parent company of Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas. During his tenure, he has held several senior leadership positions with increasing responsibility, partnering closely with executive leadership and the board of directors on financial stewardship, long-term planning, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Dingerdissen to PGW,” said Seth Shapiro, President and CEO of PGW. “I am confident that he has the background to both maintain the financial discipline for which PGW has become known, while also bringing creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit that will be critical to succeeding as the energy industry evolves over the coming years.”

Dingerdissen’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Philadelphia Gas Commission on August 11.

“I am honored to join PGW and build upon the strong financial foundation established by Joe Golden and the entire PGW team," said Brian Dingerdissen. "PGW plays an essential role in the lives of Philadelphians and stands at the intersection of public service, infrastructure reliability, customer affordability, and energy innovation. I look forward to working alongside PGW employees, leadership, the Gas Commission, PFMC Board, City officials, and community stakeholders to ensure the utility remains financially strong, operationally resilient, and well positioned for the future.”

PGW is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country, serving more than 500,000 customers and will continue to invest in innovative energy solutions and strategic initiatives. PGW launched a comprehensive search for an executive vice president and chief financial officer following the announcement of current CFO Joseph Golden, Jr.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank PGW’s outgoing CFO. Joe played a central role in improving and stabilizing PGW's finances during his more than 40 years of service.  I'm sure PFMC joins hundreds of current and former PGW employees as well as countless colleagues across the industry in saying that Joe will be sorely missed,” added PFMC Board Chair Whitaker.

Dingerdissen earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and MBA from Villanova University. He currently serves as Chair of the American Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter. His commitment to community service and civic leadership aligns closely with PGW’s mission of serving Philadelphia’s residents and businesses.


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