- **Q: Why are PECO and Pepco proposing rate hikes?
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Business / Utilities
Customers of PECO, serving Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Pepco, serving Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, are facing potential rate hikes. These increases are driven by the need for infrastructure improvements and rising...
PECO, a for-profit company and Exelon subsidiary, provides electricity to 1.7 million customers and natural gas to 553,000 in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The company states it needs $520 million for grid updates to enhance reliability amid rising demand, including from data centers. A 12.5% rate hike is proposed for 2027, translating to roughly $20.08 more per month for residential electric customers and $14.52 for gas customers.
Pepco, another Exelon subsidiary, serves over 600,000 customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The company seeks to increase delivery fees to fund repairs and upgrades, potentially raising monthly bills by an average of $11.73 starting in August. Virtual hearings are scheduled by the Maryland Public Service Commission on April 14 and 17 for public comment.
PECO's unionized employees are also seeking better pay and benefits as contract negotiations continue, adding another layer to the utility's financial considerations. The proposed rate increases are pending approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), which ensures consumer costs remain as low as possible while maintaining the financial stability of utilities.
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