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
[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