Peco plans low-income aid boost

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, August, 2008 | by Harold Brubaker Inquirer Staff Writer

Peco Energy filed a proposal with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission that would triple its annual aid to low-income natural-gas customers in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania suburbs. The increase in aid to $13.7 million, from $4.3 million, is part of a petition to settle Peco's March request for its first rate increase for distributing natural gas in 20 years.

If the settlement is approved by the PUC, it would take effect Jan. 1 and add $10.83, or 7.6 percent, to the average monthly residential bill of $141.58. That is also when the new aid to low-income customers would kick in, well into a heating season expected to be brutally expensive. Brian Crowe, director of retail rates for Peco, called the proposed assistance program a huge improvement because it helps with...