Natural gas system investments focused on maintaining safety and reliability and enhancing customer support
(March 31, 2022) — In a filing submitted on March 31, 2022 by PECO, the company requested approval of an $82 million increase in natural gas distribution rates to support significant investments in infrastructure to provide safe and reliable natural gas service and reduce methane emissions. In addition, the filing proposes programs to help customers save energy and money, including low-income customer offerings. If approved, the newly proposed natural gas distribution rates would take effect on January 1, 2023.
The proposal provides funding to:
- Invest, on average, more than $300 million per year on targeted, critical infrastructure to modernize and enhance the natural gas system to continue delivering safe and reliable service and meet the growing demand for natural gas in southeastern Pennsylvania.
- Support our Path to Clean emission reduction goals by completing projects to replace existing natural gas lines with new plastic pipe, which enhances safety, is more durable, improves service, and reduces methane emissions.
- Increase energy efficiency programs by $500,000 to benefit income-eligible customers through the safe and efficient heating program, providing rebates for high-efficiency combo-boilers and dryers, as well as providing increased rebates to help manage customer energy cost.
- Offer an additional $500,000 small business grant program providing a natural gas bill credit of $500 to qualifying small businesses.
- Enhance residential natural gas customer safety and awareness by distributing a safety package including printed educational materials and a natural gas safety device, such as a methane gas detector, to certain customers including new residential customers.
“This filing is an integral step in our mission to deliver safe, reliable, affordable, and clean natural gas service for our customers across southeastern Pennsylvania,” said PECO President and CEO Mike Innocenzo. “We know increases of any kind can be tough and recognize energy supply prices are higher overall nationwide, however, the investments included in this filing will support our commitment to provide the critical energy service our customers rely on.”
With the proposed increase, a typical PECO residential customer would see a monthly bill increase of about $12.39, or 13 percent. A typical PECO small business customer would see a monthly bill increase of about $30.85 or 7.3 percent.
This increase would be separate from the current commodity, or supply, cost increases, which are impacting all customers nationwide, whether they use natural gas, electric, heating oil, or propane. These supply charges are passed along directly to customers at exactly the price that PECO pays.
PECO has billing and financial assistance programs to help qualified customers who are facing financial challenges manage their energy bill. PECO also offers additional programs that can help customers pay down outstanding balances through grants. Income-qualified programs are also available to help customers with bill credits, energy efficiency, and referrals for additional services. For more information about financial assistance programs, customers can visit www.peco.com/help.
To learn more about our filings visit peco.com/rates or call 1-800-494-4000.