PECO
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
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
Technology:
- Smart meters
- Usage tracking
- Time-of-use rates
- Energy management tools
Philadelphia Connection
Powering the City
Essential service:
- Every home and business
- Infrastructure power
- Emergency services
- Economic foundation
Headquarters
2301 Market Street:
- Center City location
- Corporate offices
- Customer service
- Regional headquarters
Community Investment
Local involvement:
- Charitable giving
- Economic development support
- Community partnerships
- Workforce development
Challenges
Aging Infrastructure
Issues:
- Underground cables (some century-old)
- Storm vulnerability
- Upgrade needs
- Investment requirements
Climate and Weather
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