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Enacting a new Chapter 19-2000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Discounted Rates for Natural Gas Distribution and Supply Services for Senior Citizens," reaffirming and re-enacting a Senior Citizens Discount for senior citizen customers of the Philadelphia Gas Works.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. A new Chapter 19-2000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Discounted Rates for Natural Gas Distribution and Supply Services for Senior Citizens," is hereby enacted to read as follows:
CHAPTER 19-2000. DISCOUNTED RATES FOR NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
ยง19-2001 Legislative Findings. City Council hereby finds that:
(1) Of the 159,000 Philadelphia households which include senior citizens, approximately 127,000 of these households use natural gas for heating; and
(2) The vast majority of Philadelphia's senior citizens have difficulty affording the basic necessities of life, and almost 30% of Philadelphia's senior citizens have incomes which are at or below 150% FPL (Federal Poverty Level), a universally recognized standard of acute energy assistance need; and
(3) Ninety-seven thousand (97,000) Philadelphia senior citizens, almost one half of Philadelphia's senior citizens population, have a disability, and are therefore more vulnerable to harm caused by insufficient heat or lack of heat caused by natural gas service terminations; and
(4) Even those senior citizens who are not disabled are more vulnerable than most other adult customers to hypothermia and other physical harms caused by insufficient heat or lack of heat caused by natural gas service terminations; and
(5) Ninety-three percent (93%) of PGW senior citizen customers are heating customers; and
(6) Approximately one third of Philadelphia's senior citizen customers live alone, and run the health risks associated with isolation; and
(7) Pursuant to an Ordinance of City Council approved December 14,...
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