PECO Expands Customer Relief Program, Increasing Grants to $750 as Energy Costs Soar
Homeowners struggling to pay their overdue energy bills may be eligible for a $750 credit under PECO's expanded program. The utility company has set aside $10 million in its Customer Relief Fund to support customers who are facing financial hardship due to rising energy costs.
The new grants, which will replace the previous maximum of $500, are available to households with overdue bills of up to $2,500 and an annual income level between 151% and 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this translates to an income range of $48,547 to $96,450.
Customers who currently owe more than $2,500 can apply for the grants if they are able to bring their balance down to no more than $2,500. The program aims to provide relief as energy costs continue to impact household budgets, and PECO is working with Exelon and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey to fund it.
"We've expanded the PECO Customer Relief Fund to provide greater support because we know energy supply costs continue to impact household budgets," said David Vahos, PECO President and CEO. "This enhanced assistance provides relief while we work alongside state and local officials to address the broader challenges driving energy affordability."
The program's increased funding is seen as a welcome measure for low-to-moderate income households that often fall between the cracks of existing assistance programs. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who has spoken about the need for expanded support, said the PECO Customer Relief Fund targets "hard-working families who make too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to be financially secure."
Energy suppliers in Pennsylvania raised their rates in June, with PECO increasing its rates by 12.6% and boosting the average customer's monthly bill by $8. The driving force behind increased energy bills is growing demand on the electricity grid, particularly from data centers.
Critics of PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that covers Pennsylvania and 12 others states, have pointed to the company's role in increased energy costs and sluggish shifts to renewable energy sources. Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee, leading to a settlement that prevented another price hike at PJM's capacity auction in July.
Shapiro has threatened to remove Pennsylvania from PJM if the organization does not address its rising costs. "I won't stand for a status quo that perpetuates slowdowns and rising costs," he said at the Summit on the State of PJM Interconnection. "If we need to chart a new course that delivers more for the good people of Pennsylvania - we will."
Homeowners struggling to pay their overdue energy bills may be eligible for a $750 credit under PECO's expanded program. The utility company has set aside $10 million in its Customer Relief Fund to support customers who are facing financial hardship due to rising energy costs.
The new grants, which will replace the previous maximum of $500, are available to households with overdue bills of up to $2,500 and an annual income level between 151% and 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this translates to an income range of $48,547 to $96,450.
Customers who currently owe more than $2,500 can apply for the grants if they are able to bring their balance down to no more than $2,500. The program aims to provide relief as energy costs continue to impact household budgets, and PECO is working with Exelon and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey to fund it.
"We've expanded the PECO Customer Relief Fund to provide greater support because we know energy supply costs continue to impact household budgets," said David Vahos, PECO President and CEO. "This enhanced assistance provides relief while we work alongside state and local officials to address the broader challenges driving energy affordability."
The program's increased funding is seen as a welcome measure for low-to-moderate income households that often fall between the cracks of existing assistance programs. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who has spoken about the need for expanded support, said the PECO Customer Relief Fund targets "hard-working families who make too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to be financially secure."
Energy suppliers in Pennsylvania raised their rates in June, with PECO increasing its rates by 12.6% and boosting the average customer's monthly bill by $8. The driving force behind increased energy bills is growing demand on the electricity grid, particularly from data centers.
Critics of PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that covers Pennsylvania and 12 others states, have pointed to the company's role in increased energy costs and sluggish shifts to renewable energy sources. Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee, leading to a settlement that prevented another price hike at PJM's capacity auction in July.
Shapiro has threatened to remove Pennsylvania from PJM if the organization does not address its rising costs. "I won't stand for a status quo that perpetuates slowdowns and rising costs," he said at the Summit on the State of PJM Interconnection. "If we need to chart a new course that delivers more for the good people of Pennsylvania - we will."
just heard that peco is expanding its customer relief program... now they're giving out $750 instead of $500 
... low-to-moderate income households need help, and this program is a good start 
... hope it helps them cover those soaring costs 
... peco says they're working with exelon and the united way to fund it 
I think it's kinda awesome that PECO is expanding its customer relief program, but at the same time, $750 might be a bit too much... 
, like what's the point of having a decent income if you can't even afford the electricity 
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️. Can't we just invest in some renewable energy sources already? The whole PJM Interconnection thing is a mess, Governor Shapiro needs to take action ASAP 
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, but what about those who can barely make ends meet? It feels like the system is rigged against them. I'm not saying we should just give everyone a free energy bill 
, but some sort of middle ground would be nice.
. Fingers crossed it leads to some real change and not just another band-aid solution 
.
i mean, who doesn't have enough bills to pay without having to worry about their energy bill too? and to see them working with other organizations like exelon and the united way to fund it is great news 
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