Essential subsidiary Peoples Natural Gas, state’s largest gas utility, supporting energy industry innovators forging a better future for Western Pennsylvania and beyond

With the eyes of the energy world on Pennsylvania this week, the state’s largest natural gas utility is at the ready to support data center and related development stemming from the $92 billion in statewide investment announced during Tuesday’s inaugural Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit.

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Essential Utilities' gas subsidiary, Peoples Natural Gas, was among the select few companies chosen for the expo showcase at the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit. Presenting in tandem with H Quest, the companies shared the latest developments on their hydrogen & carbon black production pilot.

Essential Utilities’ gas division, Peoples Natural Gas, had a presence at the Summit’s expo space for innovative energy and tech companies. Peoples showcased its ongoing hydrogen production pilot with H Quest and the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, with Peoples President Michael Huwar among the energy industry leaders invited to attend the July 15 summit at Carnegie Mellon University.

“Pennsylvania’s abundance of natural gas, combined with our strong labor pools for engineering, robotics and the skilled trades, make this the perfect place to power the AI and energy revolution,” said Huwar. “With 15,000 miles of pipeline throughout the 18 Western Pennsylvania counties Peoples serves, we are ready to lend our expertise in delivering essential energy to support the unprecedented investments announced this week.”

In addition to H Quest, Peoples also works closely with another Energy & Innovation Summit expo presenter, Peoples Energy Analytics (PEA). PEA uses algorithmic analysis of utility customers to better identify those at risk of defaulting on bills and enrolling them in assistance programs. Peoples and Essential are also major supporters of the Energy Innovation Center Institute (EICI), which announced the concept of a new, $135 million Infrastructure Academy Regional Training (IART) Facility for workforce development. Slated to be the nation’s first integrated training and operational site for energy, utility and critical infrastructure workforce training, the IART facility will be located in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Essential Utilities’ ongoing efforts to support innovation and workforce development, combined with its investments to modernize gas, water and wastewater infrastructure showcase its commitment to make life better for its customers, employees, and the communities we serve. Essential has invested more than $5.4 billion in infrastructure modernization since 2020, replacing more than 800 miles of aged gas pipelines in that time as part of a long-term plan to replace 3,000 miles of pipeline by 2035.

For more information, visit www.Essential.co.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

About Peoples Natural Gas

Peoples, an Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) company, provides clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to approximately 740,000 homes and businesses in Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Peoples is committed to its customers, its employees, the environment, and to the regions it serves.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others: the potential for the project to provide a breakthrough for hydrogen as economic, zero-emission energy source and that “turquoise hydrogen” may solve multiple challenges that have prevented hydrogen from large scale adoption. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including; the success of the project and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Essential Utilities business, please refer to Essential Utilities annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. Essential Utilities is not under any obligation — and expressly disclaims any such obligation — to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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“With 15,000 miles of pipeline throughout the 18 Western Pennsylvania counties Peoples serves, we are ready to lend our expertise in delivering essential energy to support the unprecedented investments announced this week,” said President Michael Huwar.