Bucks GOP Legislators Urge PECO To Withdraw Proposed Rate Increases

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A group of GOP state lawmakers has formally called on PECO to reconsider its recent regulatory filings seeking additional increases to electric and natural gas rates.

In a letter sent April 2, the legislators expressed concern that PECO’s proposals would place further financial strain on residents already facing high utility costs.

The letter was signed by State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6), Rep. Shelby Labs (R-143), Rep. Joe Hogan (R-142), Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-178) and Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson (R-18).

The lawmakers noted PECO received rate hikes of 10 percent for electric service and 12.5 percent for natural gas in January 2025, after which the company reported a 47.7 percent increase in net revenue, totaling $814 million for the year.

Despite this, PECO is now seeking an additional 12.5 percent increase for residential electric customers and 11.4 percent for residential natural gas customers at a combined cost of $429 million.

The legislators emphasized any further increases would negatively impact ratepayers and urged PECO to meet with them to discuss concerns directly. While the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will ultimately review the proposals, the lawmakers stressed the importance of protecting consumers from excessive rate burdens.

Last week, five Bucks County Democratic state lawmakers voiced their strong opposition to the PECO filing for a rate hike.

Reps. Tim Brennan, Tina Davis, Brian Munroe, Jim Prokopiak and Perry Warren, all Democrats from Bucks County, said they are opposed to the increases.

Pennsylvanians across the state are already dealing with higher PECO costs due in part to the construction of AI data centers that are sapping energy from the electric grid but are currently not compensating consumers, the lawmakers said.

“As ordinary Pennsylvanians struggle to pay for groceries, rent, and electricity, PECO has decided to worsen the economic burden instead of alleviating it,” Munroe said. “I am strongly opposed to this rate hike.”

Brennan, Davis, Munroe, Prokopiak, and Warren all voted for H.B. 1834, which would begin the process of forcing data centers to pay for their own electricity. The bill passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last week.

“Working class and middle-class families are already underwater,” Davis said. “If PECO thinks we are going to let them do this without a fight, they’ve got another thing coming.”

“Families across Pennsylvania are already stretched thin,” Brennan said. “Asking them to shoulder yet another double-digit utility increase is simply unacceptable.”

It is still unknown if the Pennsylvania Senate, which has a Republican majority, will take up bills such as H.B. 1834 or others outlined in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s GRID (Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development standards) plan.

“Families in my community and many across Pennsylvania will be hurt deeply, should this proposal be accepted,” said Prokopiak, who splits Levittown with Davis. “PECO’s actions yesterday were irresponsible, unethical, and frankly, idiotic.”

"The proposed rate increase far surpasses even the high inflation rate since January 2025,” Warren said. “Consumers already facing monumental cost increases for gas, food, healthcare, and other necessities should not and cannot be burdened with double-digit home energy price hikes. We oppose this proposal.”

The five Bucks County Democrats have issued a petition to push back against PECO’s proposal. Residents can find it by clicking here

Residents who want to file a formal complaint regarding the proposed rake hike can do so on the PUC website at puc.pa.gov/complaints/formal-complaints/