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PECO Natural Gas Reliability Project

Reliab Station Option 1.jpg

Ensuring safe and reliable natural gas service in Delaware County

At PECO, we are always evaluating our infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our 534,000 natural gas customers across portions of southeastern Pennsylvania to deliver safe and reliable service. To do this, we continuously work to maintain the system through inspections, maintenance, and by installing new natural gas mains and service lines to bring natural gas to more customers.

Proper planning is also a key to meeting current needs and projected growth across our region as more residents move into the area and seek natural gas service from PECO. This is a critical step as we develop long-term infrastructure plans to meet the needs of our customers today, and into the future.

PECO has embarked on a project to ensure we can continue to reliably deliver natural gas to customers in Delaware County at the least cost over time. The project includes the installation of more than 11 miles of new natural gas main and a reliability station in Marple Township to deliver natural gas from our facility in West Conshohocken into our distribution system throughout the county.


About the Project in Marple Township

In June 2020, PECO began work on installing approximately two miles of new natural gas main in Marple Township. Most of this main installation work was completed by December 2021, with a small section of work that remains. See the map below for the project route.

As part of the natural gas reliability project, we also will install a natural gas reliability station in Marple Township that will enable PECO to distribute more natural gas into Marple Township and Delaware County, where it is needed most, through the 11.5 miles of new natural gas main. The station will be the receiving point that will add to the supply of natural gas in the area and will ensure PECO can continue to deliver safe and reliable natural gas to meet the growing needs of the customers and communities we serve.

PECO anticipates a 20% increase in natural gas usage in Delaware County and 10% increase in Marple Township over the next decade. Without this project, the natural gas system in this area will be constrained, resulting in inadequate natural gas supply and pressure to help customers run their appliances, like heaters, during the coldest days of the year. The constrained system will restrict new customers from connecting to the system, and existing customers will not be able to add additional load such as a gas generator or a gas fireplace if the project is not completed.




Learn more about the reliability station

Check out our interactive PDF to learn more about the structure, safety features, and design of our reliability station.



Frequently Asked Questions

Is the reliability station an experimental facility?

The natural gas reliability station is not an experimental facility. PECO has 28 natural gas gate stations and other natural gas facilities and equipment across our territory, and we continue to maintain a robust safety record. Many of these facilities are larger and more complex than the proposed natural gas reliability station. These facilities are located in both urban and more residential and rural locations. The equipment that we will be utilizing at this facility are all components that PECO already has on system and has years of experience with using. There is a slight difference in the project, in that PECO will own all of the natural gas that comes in and out of the facility and no odorant will be added at the reliability station. PECO's proven commitment to safety will not falter.

Is the reliability station safe?

Safety is always PECO's top priority. As with all our facilities and projects, we have multiple safety measures in place. This facility is monitored 24/7 to ensure safe operation, which allows us to shut the station down remotely in the event of an emergency. Natural gas detectors will be on-site to monitor for any signs of a natural gas leak or issue and, if detected, the station can be shut down remotely to ensure the safety of our customers and communities.

 
PECO has been successfully operating stations just like this one for decades, with a deep commitment to safety. We have been recognized annually since 2014 by the American Gas Association (AGA) as an Industry Leader in Accident Prevention and our proven commitment to safety will not falter.

Why this project now? 

PECO anticipates a 20% increase in natural gas usage in Delaware County and 10% increase in Marple Township over the next decade. Without this project, the natural gas system in this area will be constrained, resulting in reliability issues during the coldest days of the year for existing customers and restricting new customers from connecting to the system. Customers also will not be able to add additional load such as a gas generator or a gas fireplace, if the project is not completed.  

Additional FAQs and project information: NGR Marple FAQs


Project Timeline

PECO is dedicated to keeping area residents informed about our work. Prior to the project starting, we have been in contact with the township and nearby residents to ensure they are aware of our plans and to respond to any questions or concerns. We will continue to update residents about the project and look forward to working with the community and hearing feedback.


August 2022

  • Through our collaborative efforts with Marple Township, with each party preserving its legal rights, PECO will move forward to complete necessary natural gas main installation work and testing of the main for the proposed natural gas reliability project. No other work on the project will be conducted on site prior to determination by the Commonwealth Court. 
  • During the next few weeks, General Asphalt Paving, a qualified PECO contractor, will complete the main installation work under a PennDot Highway Occupancy Permit. Crews will work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. As we begin work, lane closures will be clearly marked following state and local regulations. 
  • Following the completion of the main installation work on Sproul Road, we will conduct a pressure test by running water through the 11.5 miles of newly installed main from West Conshohocken to Marple Township. Testing is expected to take six to eight weeks. There will be equipment on the property while testing occurs. As with all our projects, we have multiple safety measures in place and will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.


May 2022

  • Our natural gas reliability station is critical to meeting the growing need and demand for safe, reliable, affordable, and clean natural gas for our customers in Marple Township and across Delaware County. As such, the initial phases of our work at the property have begun. We expect to have qualified PECO contractors on-site during the next several weeks completing environmental remediation work. We remain committed to being a responsible neighbor to the residents of Marple Township and will continue to keep the community informed as we move forward with our work.


March 2022

  • On March 10, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) ruled that the location of the natural gas reliability station is necessary for the continued delivery of safe, reliable, affordable, and clean natural gas, and to meet the growing energy demand for our customers in Marple Township and across Delaware County. As such, the PUC ruled that the facility can be constructed in our initial proposed location.


January 2022

  • Marple Township residents received the ninth edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.
  • On January 4, 2022, the Court of Comon Pleas granted a stay in the case; a "stay" means the case is currently suspended and the scheduling of a hearing with the Marple Township Zoning Hearing Board is paused.


December 2021 

  • On December 7, 2021, PECO received a favorable initial decision from the PUC's Administrative Law Judges. The PUC commissioners will now review the initial decision and deliver a final decision in the case in 2022. 


November 2021 

  • Marple Township residents received the eight edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.


September 2021 

  • Marple Township residents received the seventh edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.


July 2021 

  • Marple Township residents received the sixth edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.


May 2021 


April 2021

  • Marple Township residents received the fourth edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.
  • An additional virtual open house was held on April 10 for Marple residents to share the latest developments about the project and answer any questions residents had about the project.
    • Based on residential and community leader feedback on the site regarding the appearance, traffic safety and noise, PECO has developed renderings that help to address those concerns, coming together to announce the entrance of the commercial district and serving to communicate a sense of neighborhood identity.
    • Three new design options: PROPOSED/DRAFT Reliability Station Renderings

February 26, 2021

  • ​PECO’s natural gas distribution system helps our residential customers warm their homes, heat their water, and prepare their meals.  In addition, it enables our commercial and industrial customers to provide services, manufacture goods, and produce medicines that we all rely upon.  Because this natural gas reliability station is too important to the continued dependable gas service that our customers need and expect, and because it is our intent to meet those needs and expectations, we are moving forward with our legal options. On February 26, 2021 we filed for relief at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to continue with this critical and necessary project. We will continue to engage in and welcome open discussion with the township’s residents and Commissioners.​
  • Pennsylvania PUC Filing 

January 2021

  • Marple Township residents received the third edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.

December 18, 2020

  • PECO's natural gas distribution system helps our residential customers warm their homes, heat their water, and prepare their meals. In addition, it enables our commercial and industrial customers to provide services, manufacture goods, and produce medicines that we all rely upon. Because this natural gas reliability station is too important to the continued dependable gas service that our customers need and expect, and because it is our intent to meet those needs and expectations, we are pursuing our legal options. This includes appealing the Zoning Board's decision to the Court of Common Pleas and applying for relief at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Nonetheless, we will continue to engage in and welcome open discussion with the township's residents and Commissioners to see if there are creative ways to address any and all concerns that may still exist.

November 2020: 

  • Marple Township residents received the second edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.  
  • An additional virtual open house was held on November 16 for Marple residents that had additional follow-up questions.

October 2020:

September 2020:

  • Marple Township residents received the first edition of the Marple bi-monthly newsletter.

July 2020: 

  • Residents in the immediate vicinity of the Natural Gas Reliability Station were invited to a virtual open house on July 29 to learn more about the Natural Gas Reliability Station.

June 2020: 

  • Marple Township residents were notified that natural gas main work was to begin on Sproul Road in Marple Township.
  • Residents in the immediate vicinity of the Natural Gas Reliability Station were notified about the project and notified that natural gas main work was to begin on Sproul Road in Marple Township.

Marple Township Project Update Newsletters

A PECO Natural Gas Reliability Project Update Newsletter is sent to local residents on a bi-monthly basis. Each issue provides updates on the progress of the project in the area, pertinent traffic information, and helpful energy tips. To review past issues, click on the links below.


If you have questions about this project, please contact Henry Scheck, Senior Project Manager, at 484-685-7497.



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