PECO provides safe and reliable natural gas service to more than 532,000 customers in the surrounding Philadelphia counties. 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 tap into the natural gas system. 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, which 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 to all parts of the county.
This project will help us continue to meet the growing needs and demands of our customers. In 2019, natural gas usage in Delaware County grew by 3.5%. As the demand for natural gas continues to grow, we must make enhancements to our system. Thousands of customers in Delaware County rely on PECO to deliver safe and reliable natural gas service for their homes and businesses, and this project is essential to meeting their needs.
In June 2020, PECO began work on installing approximately two miles of new natural gas main in Marple Township. Work on the natural gas main installation will occur in phases, with work expected to be complete by May 2021.Click the map below for a detailed view of our work schedule.
As part of the natural gas reliability project, we will install a natural gas reliability station in Marple Township that will enable PECO to distribute more natural gas into Delaware County through the 11.5 miles of new natural gas main. The station will be the receiving point that will reinforce the supply of natural gas to the county 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 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.
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.
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.
Learn more about the Natural Gas Reliability Station, through the following article, Five Important Facts About PECO's Proposed Natural Gas Reliability Station in Delaware County or through our project fact sheet.
If you have questions about this project or would like to receive the Project Update Newsletters if you're not already, please contact Ally Pyrih, PECO project customer liaison, at Alexandra.Pyrih@exeloncorp.com or 484-685-7499.
