PECO completed more than 4700 electric, natural gas system projects in 2016

PECO, a Philadelphia-based power company, completed more than 4,700 electric and natural gas projects
in 2016 to enhance reliability, improve safety and enhance the effectiveness of its distribution systems.

The company completed 617 projects to improve electric reliability throughout the year, including 200 in the last quarter.

PECO installed 57 reclosers to its distribution system. Reclosers are aerial devices that stop the flow of electricity if an incident such as a fallen tree limb, vehicle accident or lightning strike that affects an
electric line occurs. The device then restores flow as soon as possible.

In 2016, Workers also installed reinforced tree-resistant aerial electric lines, which can withstand fallen trees and tree limbs better than traditional lines. The company now has over 33 miles of these reinforced electric lines throughout its service territory. PECO invested approximately $41 million in vegetation management work around 3,000 miles of aerial electric lines during the year in order to prevent power outages.

PECO completed 1,425 natural gas projects in 2016, including equipment inspections, repairs and replacements, and preventive maintenance on the company’s natural gas transmission and distribution system. Workers inspected 2,784 miles of natural gas main, completed over 10,200 valve inspections and replaced more than 127,000 feet of natural gas main with new pipe.

“Ensuring safe and reliable natural gas and electric service for our customers is our top priority,” Mike Innocenzo, PECO senior vice president and COO, said. “Our ongoing investments are paying off for our customers, as they continue to see better and more reliable service. We are committed to continuing this positive trend, delivering the reliable service our customers expect.”

PECO typically invests $500 million each year in system maintenance and improvements, but plans to spend an additional $274 million through 2020 through its system 2020 plan.