PECO Natural Gas Reliability Project

About the Project in Marple Township

Reliab Station Option 1.jpg

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.

Safety is always PECO’s top priority and the reliability station is designed with the safety of our customers, communities, and employees as the 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.

The natural gas reliability station is not an experimental facility. PECO has more than 30 natural gas gate stations and other natural gas facilities and equipment across our territory and we continue to maintain a robust safety record. PECO’s proven commitment to safety will not falter.

Ensuring safe and reliable natural gas service in Delaware County

PECO provides safe and reliable natural gas service to more than 532,000 customers across southeastern Pennsylvania. 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. Over the next 10 years PECO projects a 2% annual natural gas usage growth in Delaware County and 1% in Marple Township. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the reliability station an experimental facility?

The natural gas reliability station is not an experimental facility, or in any way a different facility than the dozens we have created and operated throughout the region. PECO has more than 30 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. PECO’s proven commitment to safety will not falter.

Is the reliability station safe?

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. Additionally, 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?

Over the next 10 years PECO projects a 2% annual natural gas usage growth in Delaware County and 1% in Marple Township. 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.

May 2021

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) will be having two public input hearing on May 25, 2021 and May 26, 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:

PECO hosted four virtual open houses on October 27 and 28 for Marple Township residents to learn more about the project and its importance to the area. Residents had the ability to ask questions on the project and have open discussions with PECO representatives.
PECO Natural Gas Reliability Station Virtual Open House 10/27/20
PECO Natural Gas Reliability Station Virtual Open House 10/28/20

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 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.