{"id":16075,"date":"2026-05-13T11:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/13\/philadelphia-gas-commission-rejects-pgws-expanded-port-richmond-lng-plant-until-further-study-whyy\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:00:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:00:49","slug":"philadelphia-gas-commission-rejects-pgws-expanded-port-richmond-lng-plant-until-further-study-whyy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/13\/philadelphia-gas-commission-rejects-pgws-expanded-port-richmond-lng-plant-until-further-study-whyy\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Gas Commission rejects PGW\u2019s expanded Port Richmond LNG plant until further study &#8211; WHYY"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In-depth analysis and commentary on today&#8217;s biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. BBC &#8220;Newshour&#8221; covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe.<br \/>The Philadelphia Gas Commission tabled the $182 million proposal but agreed to fund $5 million for engineering and environmental studies.<br \/>A Philadelphia Gas Works sign is pictured on South Broad Street. (Danya Henninger\/Billy Penn)<br \/><em>This story is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/whyy-news-climate-desk\/\"><strong>WHYY News Climate Desk<\/strong><\/a>, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.<\/em> <br \/><em>From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? <a href=\"#Section1\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The Philadelphia Gas Commission on Tuesday approved $213 million for Philadelphia Gas Works\u2019 fiscal year 2027 capital budget. In a unanimous vote that included four of the five commissioners present, a decision on the utility\u2019s controversial request to spend $182 million to replace its natural gas liquifier in Port Richmond was tabled for the second time. <br \/>The proposal would increase PGW\u2019s capacity to liquefy and store natural gas by 1 billion cubic feet, about one-third larger than its current 2.2 billion cubic feet processing facility. Instead, the commission approved $1 million for an environmental impact study and $4 million for an engineering study.   <\/p>\n<div class=\"block block--doubleclick side-ad\" style='width:100%; padding-top: 10px;'>\n<ul class=\"list list--ads double-ads\">       <!-- newsworks_medium_rectangle_300x250_top -->       <\/p>\n<li style=\"width:300px; margin:0 auto;\">\n<div>\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1632838654069-0' style='width:300px; height:250px;'>             <script async=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\/tag\/js\/gpt.js\"><\/script>             <script type='text\/javascript'>\n              var googletag = googletag || {};\n              googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/p>\n<p>              googletag.cmd.push(function() {\n                googletag.defineSlot('\/1050414\/whyy_inline_300x250_1', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1632838654069-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n                                googletag.enableServices();\n                googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1632838654069-0');\n              });\n            <\/script>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                    <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/corporate-underwriting\/\" title=\"WHYY thanks our sponsors \u2014 become a WHYY sponsor\" class=\"ad-caption\">WHYY thanks our sponsors \u2014 become a WHYY sponsor<\/a>               <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>The studies will \u201cevaluate the liquefier\u2019s current condition, structural integrity, operational efficiency, and remaining useful life along with emissions and air quality effects,\u201d according to a press release sent immediately after the vote by City Controller and Chair of the Philadelphia Gas Commission Christy Brady and City Councilmember and vice-chair of the commission Mike Driscoll. <br \/>Driscoll and Brady said more information is needed to review the impact of an expanded liquified natural gas facility. <br \/>\u201cWe need a fuller picture of the proposed LNG liquefier replacement before moving forward with the approval of PGW\u2019s $182 million cost estimate,\u201d Brady said in a statement. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been shown that the replacement project was ready and lacked important details such as design plans and the total costs to ratepayers.\u201d <br \/>Speaking after the vote, Patrick Houston, who testified against the project as part of the coalition <a href=\"https:\/\/www.here4climatejustice.org\/\">HERE 4 Climate Justice<\/a>, said he\u2019s happy with the decision to table the approved funding for now. <br \/>\u201cIt&#8217;s a move in the right direction,\u201d Houston said. \u201cThey are not allocating the $182 million for the LNG plant, and that&#8217;s exactly what we demanded. We need greater scrutiny from the Gas Commission on PGW for any new energy projects, and we need to start to direct our money towards more affordable renewable alternatives and not more fossil fuel infrastructure.\u201d <br \/>Neighborhood residents, health care workers and climate activists have testified against the plans to replace and expand the plant, which sits along the Delaware River in the Port Richmond neighborhood. <\/p>\n<h2>Gas Commission staff reverses their position on PGW\u2019s proposed Port Richmond LNG project<\/h2>\n<p>In March, the commission\u2019s staff had reviewed the proposal as part of the utility\u2019s 2027 capital budget and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phlgc.net\/docs\/materials\/03172026_PGWFY2027CapitalBudget_HearingExaminerRecommendedDecision.pdf\">recommended that the five commissioners reject the $182 million project,<\/a> saying the design plans were incomplete and that the utility did not justify the increased capacity. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phlgc.net\/docs\/materials\/03232026_PGWFY2027CapitalBudget_PublicAdvocateCommentsRecommendedDecision.pdf\">Public Advocate agreed<\/a>, saying the new proposal was oversized and could overburden PGW customers with higher rates. <br \/>But PGW argued approval for the plant was urgent, as the utility needed to have the liquefier operating by 2030 for safety and affordability. The utility said the increase in size is needed to meet demand and at the commission\u2019s meeting April 15, urged the commissioners to reject the staff\u2019s recommendation. Liquefied natural gas requires a substantial amount of energy to cool methane in its gaseous form to -260\u00b0 Fahrenheit, where it becomes a liquid. The plant has been operating since the 1970s and stores the gas in 12-story white storage tanks. <br \/>One issue continues to be a lack of agreement between the two sides as to how much money the LNG plant saves ratepayers, and how much of the expansion costs would fall to ratepayers. <br \/>But in a surprise move at the commission\u2019s meeting April 15, <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/pgw-liquified-natural-gas-plant-port-richmond\/\">the commissioners tabled the vote<\/a>. <br \/>In an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phlgc.net\/docs\/materials\/04272026_PGWFY2027CapitalBudget_RecommendedDecisionMemorandum.pdf\">updated recommendation by the commission staff posted a week and a half later on April 27<\/a>, the hearing examiners continued to recommend rejecting the $182 million for the LNG plant in the fiscal year 2027 capital budget due to a lack of engineering plans. But it reversed course on other issues based on new information it said PGW provided. The commission staff now agrees with the utility that it needs to update the plant for safety reasons and agreed that it needs an increased capacity. <br \/>Community Legal Services supervising attorney Rob Ballenger, who serves as the Public Advocate, told the commissioners Tuesday that staff should not have reversed its position on the need and size of the LNG plant. <br \/>\u201cI fundamentally disagree with staff&#8217;s conclusion that PGW has substantiated its need for a liquifier capable of producing 3.3 [billion cubic feet] of LNG annually,\u201d Ballenger told the commissioners. \u201cStaff previously recognized PGW&#8217;s proposal was outsized, and so could adversely impact rates. Staff now completely ignores those findings, placing customers at risk.\u201d <br \/>Ballenger said PGW relied on \u201cunsubstantiated and severely outdated\u201d data that dates back to the 1960s to justify the capital expense. <br \/>\u201cIt has never faced a shortage of gas with its existing facility capable of producing no more than 2.2 [billion cubic feet]. In fact, in many years, PGW has had excess supply. It has sold that excess supply in off-system transactions \u2026 to be trucked out of its facilities outside of Philadelphia.\u201d         <br \/>                   <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/pgw-liquified-natural-gas-plant-port-richmond\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"PGW\u2019s proposed liquefied natural gas plant in Philadelphia\u2019s Port Richmond neighborhood now in limbo\">                 PGW\u2019s proposed liquefied natural gas plant in Philadelphia\u2019s Port Richmond neighborhood now in limbo                  <\/a>                 <\/p>\n<p>PGW says it needs to replace an aging liquefier in Port Richmond. Philadelphia Gas Commission staff had recommended not to approve the project.<br \/>4 weeks ago<br \/>In an emailed statement, PGW said the expansion would enable it to provide more affordable rates. <br \/>\u201cWithout a budget that includes funds to support critical components of PGW&#8217;s LNG (liquefied natural gas) infrastructure &#8211; customer safety, reliability and affordability are put at risk,\u201d said Christina Clark, director of media relations at PGW. \u201cJust a few months ago, Winter Storm Fern caused reliability and affordability challenges across the northeast.\u00a0 PGW customers were spared price spikes and service interruptions due to PGW&#8217;s LNG infrastructure. That infrastructure saved customers an estimated $90 million in additional expenses.\u201d <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/pgw-liquified-natural-gas-plant-port-richmond\/\">Ballenger has said the $90 million figure does not factor in the operating costs<\/a> of liquefying the gas. <br \/>PGW has two LNG facilities: the Richmond Plant in Port Richmond has one liquifier and the Passyunk Plant in South Philadelphia stores LNG. The utility uses the facilities to liquefy and store gas that it purchases at a lower price during the offseason and then sells to customers during cold winters when demand is high.   <\/p>\n<div class=\"block block--doubleclick side-ad\" style='width:100%; padding-top: 10px;'>\n<ul class=\"list list--ads double-ads\">       <!-- newsworks_medium_rectangle_300x250_top -->       <\/p>\n<li style=\"width:300px; margin:0 auto;\">\n<div>\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1632838704911-0' style='width:300px; height:250px;'>             <script async=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\/tag\/js\/gpt.js\"><\/script>             <script type='text\/javascript'>\n              var googletag = googletag || {};\n              googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/p>\n<p>              googletag.cmd.push(function() {\n                googletag.defineSlot('\/1050414\/whyy_inline_300x250_2', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1632838704911-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n                                googletag.enableServices();\n                googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1632838704911-0');\n              });\n            <\/script>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                    <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/corporate-underwriting\/\" title=\"WHYY thanks our sponsors \u2014 become a WHYY sponsor\" class=\"ad-caption\">WHYY thanks our sponsors \u2014 become a WHYY sponsor<\/a>               <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>PGW is also negotiating a public-private partnership to fund the new plant, which, if successful, would negate the need for the $182 million in capital funds. <\/p>\n<h2>Public commenters challenge the city\u2019s climate commitments and Gas Commission\u2019s transparency<\/h2>\n<p>During the public comment period, several residents said expanding the city\u2019s capacity to liquefy and store natural gas does not align with the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. <br \/>Port Richmond resident Sara Baier asked the commission to consider the city\u2019s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and objected to the lack of public engagement over the project in her neighborhood. <br \/>\u201cWe should not have to learn about a $182 million project like this through social media, neighborhood groups or back channels,\u201d Baier testified. \u201cWe deserved a seat at the table from the beginning.\u201d <br \/>Baier said her Port Richmond neighbors organized because they felt the process lacked transparency. <br \/>Commissioner Dominic McGraw urged PGW during the meeting to follow the city\u2019s best practices for community engagement. <br \/>PGW did not answer WHYY News\u2019 questions about past or future public outreach plans. <br \/>Dr. Paul Devine Bottone, a pediatrician, told commissioners to reject the LNG plant due to its potential to increase climate warming emissions and public health concerns, especially since Port Richmond residents are exposed to air pollution from I-95. <br \/>\u201cWhen we think about the extraction, the processing, the transport, the storage of natural gas, we know that lots of volatile organic compounds that have been extensively linked to cancer are at much higher rates in the areas around those plants,\u201d Devine Battone said. <br \/>Devine Bottone also questioned the reversal of staff recommendations between the commission&#8217;s April and May public meetings. <br \/>\u201cIt&#8217;s very concerning to me that all of a sudden this review that said one thing last time now says something different,\u201d Devine Bottone said. \u201cIt was very confusing to everybody why last time we all just kind of adjourned. There was no decision made. Now we&#8217;re all coming back, and there&#8217;s this new report that says something different. So it raises the concern that something happened behind the scenes that we didn&#8217;t get to see.\u201d <br \/>PGW\u2019s capital budget now heads to Philadelphia City Council for approval.         <br \/>Get daily updates from WHYY News!<br \/>The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox.<br \/><i>WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please <a href=\"\/support-our-journalism\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"no-ajaxy\">give today.<\/a><\/i><br \/>                   <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/food-scraps-building-materials\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Penn researchers are turning food scraps into building materials \u2014 from pineapple peels to celery stalks\">                 Penn researchers are turning food scraps into building materials \u2014 from pineapple peels to celery stalks                  <\/a>                 <\/p>\n<p>At Penn\u2019s DumoLab, researchers work to solve multiple problems: how to keep food waste out of landfills, make healthier building materials and tackle climate change.<br \/>1 day ago<br \/>                   <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/pgw-settlement-rabb-activists-utilities\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Philly climate activists celebrate a rare win in their battle to reform PGW\">                 Philly climate activists celebrate a rare win in their battle to reform PGW                  <\/a>                 <\/p>\n<p>The settlement with PGW lowers the utility\u2019s planned rate hikes, and forces the natural gas provider to hold public hearings over climate impacts.<br \/>9 months ago<br \/>                   <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/articles\/earth-day-philadelphia-pgw-cherelle-parker\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"On Earth Day, protesters call on Mayor Parker to denounce PGW and gas lobby efforts to upend green energy\">                 On Earth Day, protesters call on Mayor Parker to denounce PGW and gas lobby efforts to upend green energy                  <\/a>                 <\/p>\n<p>Local climate activists rallied against Philadelphia Gas Works\u2019 financial support to an industry group lobbying against clean energy. <br \/>1 year ago<br \/>49 minutes ago<br \/>1 hour ago<br \/>1 hour ago<\/p>\n<p><span>Want a digest of WHYY&#8217;s programs, events &#038; stories?<\/span> Sign up for our weekly newsletter.<br \/>Together we can reach 100% of WHYY\u2019s fiscal year goal<\/p>\n<p>WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community.<br \/>WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone\u2019s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/whyy.org\/whyy-social-responsibility-program\/\">Social Responsibility at WHYY<\/a>. It\u2019s how we live.<br \/><a href=\"tel:+1 (215) 351-1200\">215.351.1200<\/a><br \/> <a href=\"mailto:talkback@whyy.org\">talkback@whyy.org<\/a><br \/><a href=\"tel:+1 (302) 516-7506\">302.516.7506<\/a><br \/> <a href=\"mailto:talkback@whyy.org\">talkback@whyy.org<\/a><br \/>\u00a9 2026 WHYY <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/rss\/articles\/CBMiigFBVV95cUxOUFJfdGRHNHJYaWNNUWVjTmxqV01pdWxpUkFjd0prMHRxRFRUU25PeEVObzlJZmRsT3MwcTNqMGVnanV4V3B6OG9wM194SGVLMVB2S0hjYW9ncnQ3aWFjUFJZa2tXVTVwd2QyMERNb2VxLVFOSmVrQ0xRNDBqNndFWUN0Y09DOUhkS3c?oc=5\">source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In-depth analysis and commentary on today&#8217;s biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. BBC &#8220;Newshour&#8221; covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe.The Philadelphia Gas Commission tabled the $182 million proposal but agreed to fund $5 million for engineering and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16075","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}