For Immediate Release
Contact
PECO Communications
PECO.Media@exeloncorp.com
Company ensures it's ready to meet high temperatures and provides tips for customers to save energy and money
PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2023) – With summer just around the corner, PECO has been hard at work prepping for the higher temperatures, increased usage, and severe storms that come with the season. During the past several months, PECO has ensured the company's critical electric infrastructure is prepared to handle increased demand during the summer. This proactive effort also includes infrastructure work to strengthen the local energy grid to prevent outages caused by severe summer storms.
During the next five years, PECO is investing approximately $7.8 billion across its electric and natural gas systems to inspect equipment, complete targeted infrastructure enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, and perform vegetation management work. This investment includes PECO's Reliability & Resiliency Plan, which outlines the investment of $1.36 billion on targeted reliability-focused electric system infrastructure investments through 2025. As part of this work and in preparation for the summer season, PECO has tested systems, processes, and procedures, and has completed 204 projects and initiatives across the region to ensure customers stay powered this summer.
The company also continues to explore innovative technologies to help improve reliability for customers. This includes using drones to enable more efficient equipment inspections and faster damage assessments following storms, installing stronger poles and tree-resistant aerial cable, and installing specialized equipment, known as reclosers, that can automatically restore service or isolate storm damage.
This significant investment and the company's use of innovative technologies resulted in record-breaking reliability performance in 2022. Last year, PECO customers experienced the fewest number of power outages in company history, and 87 percent of PECO customers experienced zero or one power outage.
"Our customers are at the center of everything we do, which is why we're committed to providing safe, reliable, and resilient service every day, especially during the hotter months," said Nicole LeVine, PECO senior vice president and COO. "The critical investments we're making year-round will help prevent customer outages, modernize the electric grid, and reduce the impact of the more prevalent extreme weather we've seen in recent years."
Storm Safety
While PECO works to prevent as many outages as possible, severe storms can cause damage and power outages. Customers can act now to prepare for severe weather by visiting peco.com/storm. PECO offers important storm readiness resources, including how to prepare for an approaching storm, how to properly use generators if power is lost, what to expect after storms, and how to stay safe.
Tips to Help Manage your Bill
Energy supply costs have fluctuated during the past two years due to a combination of factors. While natural gas prices have begun to decrease, electricity prices remain slightly elevated. Managing energy usage is especially important during the summer months as this is typically the time when customers use more electricity to cool their homes and businesses. There are several low- and no-cost tips that customers can follow to gain control over their energy use and costs to save money.
Energy Efficiency
Customers can take advantage of energy efficiency programs to save energy and money, including energy assessments that identify ways to save even more. Visit www.peco.com/waystosave to learn more.
In addition, customers can lower their bills during the summer months by following a few simple tips:
Monitor Usage
Shop for Energy
Bill Relief and Assistance Programs
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.
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