Delta Gas History Information on 1949 through 1999 can be found here. Fast forward to 2017, Peoples announced an agreement to purchase Delta Natural Gas. Peoples is the largest natural gas distribution company in Pennsylvania and serves approximately 740,000 customers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. On March 16, 2020, Peoples was officially acquired by Essential Utilities, Inc. Peoples retained its name and identity, and now operates under the Essential family of companies. .