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'''PECO''' (formerly Philadelphia Electric Company) is the electric and natural gas utility serving Philadelphia and surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania counties. A subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, PECO provides electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers and natural gas to over 500,000 customers, making it the region's primary energy utility. The company's history spans over 140 years, from the early days of electrical service through the development of the modern integrated grid.<ref name="peco">{{cite web |url=https://www.peco.com/about |title=About PECO |publisher=PECO |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
{{Infobox Company
| name = PECO
| image =
| image_caption = PECO building
| type = Public utility (subsidiary of Exelon)
| industry = Electric and gas utility
| address = 2301 Market Street
| neighborhood = Center City
| coordinates = 39.9531,-75.1762
| phone = 1-800-494-4000
| website = https://www.peco.com
| established = 1881
| founder = Thomas Dolan (as Brush Electric Light Company)
| parent = Exelon Corporation
| employees = 2,500+
| customers = 1.6+ million electric; 500,000+ gas
| status = Active
}}
 
'''PECO*** (formerly '''Philadelphia Electric Company***) is the '''electric and natural gas utility*** serving '''Philadelphia*** and the surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania region. Founded in '''1881***, PECO is one of the oldest and largest utilities in the United States, providing electricity to approximately '''1.6 million customers*** and natural gas to over '''500,000 customers***. Now a subsidiary of '''Exelon Corporation***, PECO is essential to daily life in Philadelphia, powering homes, businesses, and the city's infrastructure. The company's service territory includes Philadelphia and all or parts of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and York counties.<ref name="peco-official">{{cite web |url=https://www.peco.com |title=PECO |publisher=PECO |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


Philadelphia's electrical utility history began in the 1880s, with multiple companies providing service to different areas of the city. Consolidation in the early twentieth century created the Philadelphia Electric Company in 1902, merging various smaller utilities into a unified system. The company expanded to serve the growing metropolitan area while investing in generation facilities to meet increasing demand.<ref name="peco"/>
=== Early Electric Era (1881) ===
 
PECO traces its origins to '''1881''':
 
'''Founding:'''
* '''Brush Electric Light Company*** formed
* Early electric lighting
* Powered by coal
* Thomas Dolan as key figure
 
=== Philadelphia Electric Company ===
 
'''Consolidation:'''
* Various electric companies merged
* '''Philadelphia Electric Company*** emerged
* Regional monopoly developed
* Infrastructure built
 
=== Growth ===
 
'''20th century:'''
* Service area expanded
* Power plants built
* Gas service added (1895 predecessor)
* Modern utility developed
 
=== PECO Energy (1990s) ===
 
'''Rebranding:'''
* Renamed PECO Energy Company (1994)
* Simplified to '''PECO***
* Modernization
* Deregulation adaptation
 
=== Exelon Merger (2000) ===
 
'''Corporate change:'''
* PECO merged with Unicom (Chicago)
* Created '''Exelon Corporation***
* PECO became subsidiary
* Maintained local operations
 
== Services ==
 
=== Electricity ===
 
'''Electric service:'''
* 1.6+ million customers
* Southeastern Pennsylvania
* Residential, commercial, industrial
* Transmission and distribution
 
=== Natural Gas ===
 
'''Gas service:'''
* 500,000+ customers
* Home heating
* Industrial use
* Distribution network
 
=== Service Territory ===
 
'''Coverage area:'''
* Philadelphia (entire city)
* Bucks County
* Chester County
* Delaware County
* Montgomery County
* Parts of York County
 
== Operations ==
 
=== Electric System ===
 
'''Infrastructure:'''
* Substations throughout region
* Transmission lines
* Distribution network
* Smart grid technology
 
=== Gas System ===
 
'''Infrastructure:'''
* Pipeline network
* Pressure regulation
* Storage facilities
* Distribution mains
 
=== Power Sources ===
 
'''Generation:'''
* PECO distributes but doesn't generate
* Exelon Generation provides power
* Nuclear, natural gas, renewables (parent company)
* PECO handles local delivery
 
== Outage Response ==
 
=== Storm Response ===
 
'''Emergency operations:'''
* 24/7 operations center
* Storm crews
* Mutual aid agreements
* Restoration priorities
 
=== Outage Reporting ===
 
'''For customers:'''
* Report outages: 1-800-841-4141
* Online outage map
* Text alerts
* Restoration estimates
 
== Customer Programs ==
 
=== Energy Efficiency ===
 
'''Rebates and programs:'''
* Appliance rebates
* Home energy audits
* LED lighting
* Weatherization assistance
 
=== Payment Assistance ===
 
'''Help for customers:'''
* LIHEAP (low-income assistance)
* Payment plans
* Customer assistance programs
* Crisis assistance
 
=== Smart Energy ===


PECO developed a diverse generation portfolio through the twentieth century, including coal, oil, and nuclear plants. The company's nuclear facilities, including the Limerick and Peach Bottom stations, became major generators for the regional grid. Nuclear power provided the majority of PECO's electricity generation, positioning the company differently from utilities more dependent on fossil fuels.<ref name="peco"/>
'''Technology:'''
* Smart meters
* Usage tracking
* Time-of-use rates
* Energy management tools


Deregulation in the 1990s transformed the utility industry, with PECO transitioning from a vertically integrated utility generating and distributing electricity to a distribution company in a competitive generation market. The 2000 merger with Unicom (parent of Chicago's Commonwealth Edison) created Exelon Corporation, making PECO part of the nation's largest utility company by customer count.<ref name="peco"/>
== Philadelphia Connection ==


== Service Territory ==
=== Powering the City ===


PECO's electric service territory encompasses Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties—the core of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. This coverage area serves approximately four million people through 1.6 million customer accounts, including residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company operates thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines delivering electricity throughout the region.<ref name="peco"/>
'''Essential service:'''
* Every home and business
* Infrastructure power
* Emergency services
* Economic foundation


Natural gas service, acquired through various mergers and acquisitions, covers a somewhat different territory with over 500,000 customers. Gas distribution infrastructure delivers natural gas for heating, cooking, and industrial uses. The gas business operates somewhat separately from electric operations, with different regulatory frameworks and infrastructure requirements.<ref name="peco"/>
=== Headquarters ===


The service territory includes urban Philadelphia, dense inner suburbs, and more rural outer county areas, presenting varied infrastructure challenges. Urban areas feature underground distribution systems while suburban and rural areas use overhead lines. Different customer densities and usage patterns require tailored approaches across the service territory.<ref name="peco"/>
'''2301 Market Street:'''
* Center City location
* Corporate offices
* Customer service
* Regional headquarters


== Infrastructure ==
=== Community Investment ===


PECO's distribution network includes substations that step down high-voltage transmission power for local distribution, along with thousands of miles of wire delivering electricity to customers. The infrastructure's age varies, with some facilities dating to the early twentieth century while others reflect recent investment. Maintaining and upgrading this infrastructure represents a major ongoing investment.<ref name="peco"/>
'''Local involvement:'''
* Charitable giving
* Economic development support
* Community partnerships
* Workforce development


Grid modernization efforts have added smart meters, automated switching, and improved outage detection and response capabilities. These investments improve reliability, enable better demand management, and support emerging technologies including electric vehicles and distributed solar generation. The transition to a "smart grid" continues with ongoing investment in digital capabilities.<ref name="peco"/>
== Challenges ==


Storm response capabilities have developed to address the weather events—hurricanes, ice storms, severe thunderstorms—that cause power outages in the region. PECO maintains mutual aid agreements with other utilities, enabling import of restoration crews during major events. The company's storm response has received both criticism during particularly severe outages and credit for restoration efforts.<ref name="peco"/>
=== Aging Infrastructure ===


== Clean Energy Transition ==
'''Issues:'''
* Underground cables (some century-old)
* Storm vulnerability
* Upgrade needs
* Investment requirements


The transition away from fossil fuels affects PECO as both a distributor of electricity and natural gas. Exelon's 2022 separation of its generation business left PECO as a pure distribution utility, with electricity generation market dynamics determined by independent generators competing in wholesale markets. However, the shift to electric vehicles and building electrification may increase electricity demand while reducing natural gas consumption.<ref name="peco"/>
=== Climate and Weather ===


Programs supporting customer adoption of solar panels, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency affect how PECO's network is used. Distributed solar generation feeds power back into the grid, changing the traditional one-way flow of electricity from generators to consumers. These changes require grid investments and operational adaptations.<ref name="peco"/>
'''Weather impacts:'''
* Summer heat demands
* Winter storms
* Severe weather events
* Resilience planning
 
=== Energy Transition ===
 
'''Future challenges:'''
* Renewable energy integration
* Electric vehicle growth
* Decarbonization goals
* Grid modernization
 
== Rates and Regulation ==
 
=== Pennsylvania PUC ===
 
'''Regulatory oversight:'''
* Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
* Rate case reviews
* Service standards
* Consumer protection
 
=== Customer Choice ===
 
'''Deregulation:'''
* Customers can choose electric generation supplier
* PECO handles delivery regardless
* Price comparison tools
* Default service option
 
== Future ==
 
=== Grid Modernization ===
 
'''Investments:'''
* Smart grid deployment
* Reliability improvements
* Technology upgrades
* Infrastructure hardening
 
=== Clean Energy ===
 
'''Transition:'''
* Supporting renewable connection
* Electric vehicle infrastructure
* Energy efficiency expansion
* Carbon reduction
 
== Tips for Customers ==
 
'''Practical information:'''
* Report outages: 1-800-841-4141
* Emergency (downed wire): Call 911 and PECO
* Payment options online
* Energy saving programs available


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Philadelphia Gas Works]]
* [[Philadelphia Infrastructure]]
* [[Philadelphia Infrastructure]]
* [[Electric Utilities]]
* [[Philadelphia Businesses]]
* [[Energy in Philadelphia]]
* [[Center City]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
== External Links ==
* [https://www.peco.com PECO]
* [https://www.exeloncorp.com Exelon Corporation]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=PECO - Philadelphia Electric and Gas Utility
|title=PECO - Philadelphia's Electric and Gas Utility Since 1881
|description=PECO provides electricity to 1.6 million customers and natural gas to 500,000 customers in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.
|description=PECO, the electric and natural gas utility serving Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania. 1.6 million electric customers, subsidiary of Exelon Corporation.
|keywords=PECO, Philadelphia Electric Company, Exelon, electric utility, natural gas, electricity, energy, utilities, power grid
|keywords=PECO, Philadelphia Electric, electric utility, natural gas, Exelon, Philadelphia utility, energy
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Businesses]]
[[Category:Utilities]]
[[Category:Infrastructure]]
[[Category:Infrastructure]]
[[Category:Utilities]]
[[Category:Center City]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Business]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Services]]

Latest revision as of 19:44, 31 December 2025

Template:Infobox Company

PECO*** (formerly Philadelphia Electric Company***) is the electric and natural gas utility*** serving Philadelphia*** and the surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania region. Founded in 1881***, PECO is one of the oldest and largest utilities in the United States, providing electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers*** and natural gas to over 500,000 customers***. Now a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation***, PECO is essential to daily life in Philadelphia, powering homes, businesses, and the city's infrastructure. The company's service territory includes Philadelphia and all or parts of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and York counties.[1]

History

[edit | edit source]

Early Electric Era (1881)

[edit | edit source]

PECO traces its origins to 1881:

Founding:

  • Brush Electric Light Company*** formed
  • Early electric lighting
  • Powered by coal
  • Thomas Dolan as key figure

Philadelphia Electric Company

[edit | edit source]

Consolidation:

  • Various electric companies merged
  • Philadelphia Electric Company*** emerged
  • Regional monopoly developed
  • Infrastructure built

Growth

[edit | edit source]

20th century:

  • Service area expanded
  • Power plants built
  • Gas service added (1895 predecessor)
  • Modern utility developed

PECO Energy (1990s)

[edit | edit source]

Rebranding:

  • Renamed PECO Energy Company (1994)
  • Simplified to PECO***
  • Modernization
  • Deregulation adaptation

Exelon Merger (2000)

[edit | edit source]

Corporate change:

  • PECO merged with Unicom (Chicago)
  • Created Exelon Corporation***
  • PECO became subsidiary
  • Maintained local operations

Services

[edit | edit source]

Electricity

[edit | edit source]

Electric service:

  • 1.6+ million customers
  • Southeastern Pennsylvania
  • Residential, commercial, industrial
  • Transmission and distribution

Natural Gas

[edit | edit source]

Gas service:

  • 500,000+ customers
  • Home heating
  • Industrial use
  • Distribution network

Service Territory

[edit | edit source]

Coverage area:

  • Philadelphia (entire city)
  • Bucks County
  • Chester County
  • Delaware County
  • Montgomery County
  • Parts of York County

Operations

[edit | edit source]

Electric System

[edit | edit source]

Infrastructure:

  • Substations throughout region
  • Transmission lines
  • Distribution network
  • Smart grid technology

Gas System

[edit | edit source]

Infrastructure:

  • Pipeline network
  • Pressure regulation
  • Storage facilities
  • Distribution mains

Power Sources

[edit | edit source]

Generation:

  • PECO distributes but doesn't generate
  • Exelon Generation provides power
  • Nuclear, natural gas, renewables (parent company)
  • PECO handles local delivery

Outage Response

[edit | edit source]

Storm Response

[edit | edit source]

Emergency operations:

  • 24/7 operations center
  • Storm crews
  • Mutual aid agreements
  • Restoration priorities

Outage Reporting

[edit | edit source]

For customers:

  • Report outages: 1-800-841-4141
  • Online outage map
  • Text alerts
  • Restoration estimates

Customer Programs

[edit | edit source]

Energy Efficiency

[edit | edit source]

Rebates and programs:

  • Appliance rebates
  • Home energy audits
  • LED lighting
  • Weatherization assistance

Payment Assistance

[edit | edit source]

Help for customers:

  • LIHEAP (low-income assistance)
  • Payment plans
  • Customer assistance programs
  • Crisis assistance

Smart Energy

[edit | edit source]

Technology:

  • Smart meters
  • Usage tracking
  • Time-of-use rates
  • Energy management tools

Philadelphia Connection

[edit | edit source]

Powering the City

[edit | edit source]

Essential service:

  • Every home and business
  • Infrastructure power
  • Emergency services
  • Economic foundation

Headquarters

[edit | edit source]

2301 Market Street:

  • Center City location
  • Corporate offices
  • Customer service
  • Regional headquarters

Community Investment

[edit | edit source]

Local involvement:

  • Charitable giving
  • Economic development support
  • Community partnerships
  • Workforce development

Challenges

[edit | edit source]

Aging Infrastructure

[edit | edit source]

Issues:

  • Underground cables (some century-old)
  • Storm vulnerability
  • Upgrade needs
  • Investment requirements

Climate and Weather

[edit | edit source]

Weather impacts:

  • Summer heat demands
  • Winter storms
  • Severe weather events
  • Resilience planning

Energy Transition

[edit | edit source]

Future challenges:

  • Renewable energy integration
  • Electric vehicle growth
  • Decarbonization goals
  • Grid modernization

Rates and Regulation

[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania PUC

[edit | edit source]

Regulatory oversight:

  • Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  • Rate case reviews
  • Service standards
  • Consumer protection

Customer Choice

[edit | edit source]

Deregulation:

  • Customers can choose electric generation supplier
  • PECO handles delivery regardless
  • Price comparison tools
  • Default service option

Future

[edit | edit source]

Grid Modernization

[edit | edit source]

Investments:

  • Smart grid deployment
  • Reliability improvements
  • Technology upgrades
  • Infrastructure hardening

Clean Energy

[edit | edit source]

Transition:

  • Supporting renewable connection
  • Electric vehicle infrastructure
  • Energy efficiency expansion
  • Carbon reduction

Tips for Customers

[edit | edit source]

Practical information:

  • Report outages: 1-800-841-4141
  • Emergency (downed wire): Call 911 and PECO
  • Payment options online
  • Energy saving programs available

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "PECO". PECO. Retrieved December 31, 2025
[edit | edit source]
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