Delaware County Legislative Delegation responds to PECO’s proposed rate hikes
Rep. Gina H. Curry April 1, 2026 | 3:34 PM
DELAWARE COUNTY, April 1 – On Monday, PECO filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to significantly increase their gas and electric rates beginning next year. On average, these rate hikes would cost families an additional $20.08 per month for electricity and $14.52 per month for natural gas. Members of the Delaware County Legislative Delegation offered the following statements in response:
“PECO’s request to raise their prices comes at a time when we’re already seeing unprecedented expenses for basic necessities due to rapid tech innovation, extreme federal actions and our county’s strained health care systems,” Rep. Gina Curry said. “This proposed increase is not just about dollars, it’s about equity. Our most vulnerable communities are already carrying the heaviest burden, and they should not be asked to pay more for basic necessities. Energy is a right, not a luxury.”
“Our working families are contending with surging prices on everything from groceries to gasoline,” said Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “In Harrisburg we’re working to help families manage the economic uncertainty stemming from mismanagement in Washington with policies like the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, but a price hike in their monthly PECO bill makes it harder and harder for families to get ahead.”
“Now is not the time for a rate hike like this,” Rep. Jennifer O’Mara said. “This would be PECO’s third rate increase since 2022, if granted. Costs are rising across the board for people. We need to be putting people first, not profits.”
“Pennsylvanians already cannot afford their most basic?needs.?This request from PECO is an insult to ratepayers, and an out-of-touch attempt to turn a profit off the backs of hardworking taxpayers,” said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti. ?“Accountability for these profit-driven corporations is the only answer, and I will continue fighting to ensure every Pennsylvanian can actually afford to call this Commonwealth home.”
The lawmakers point to the rapid growth in demand for data centers as one of the root causes of this energy cost crisis. Data centers use a substantial amount of energy to run and few legal parameters have been set to ensure the cost of that extra consumption isn’t being passed onto residential ratepayers.
Last week, the Pa. House passed H.B. 1834, which would require data centers to pay for their own electricity. It is up to the Republican-controlled state Senate to move the bill forward.
“Every day I hear stories about affordability and the outrageous cost of living,” said Rep. Heather Boyd. “With gas and grocery prices climbing daily, the last thing Pennsylvanians need to worry about is their utility bills skyrocketing. Prioritizing affordability is one of my top issues and something I constantly fight for in Harrisburg. We cannot sit back and allow these rate hikes to be approved.”
“Families are being forced to make difficult choices just to keep the lights on,” said state Sen. Tim Kearney. “Any plans by PECO for rate hikes must undergo rigorous review to make sure it reflects real need, not unchecked profit. Our constituents here in Delco and across the Philadelphia region deserve transparency, accountability and a process that puts their well-being first.”
“When many of our residents—especially our seniors—are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table, fill up their gas tanks, and pay for health care, it is unconscionable that PECO wants to raise our electric and natural gas bills by $34.52 a month after prior rate increases,” Rep. Carol Kazeem said. “We must put a stop to corporations pricing our residents out of essential services by demanding consumer protection and oversight of PECO. I call on the PUC to reject PECO’s bid for an exorbitant rate increase. PECO should be focused on how to best serve southeastern Pennsylvanians, not look for new ways to gouge them.”
“The rate increase requested by PECO hits ratepayers harder than just forgoing a cup of coffee. This would be a budget-busting raise in rates for our neighbors who are already fighting affordability issues with energy, gas for their car, groceries for the table, and more,” said Rep. Regina Young. “I hope the PUC takes a very close look at the details of this request and that people use their voice to inform their elected officials, the PUC, and PECO that this rate hike is unreasonable and cruel to hardworking Delco residents and especially our older neighbors on a fixed income.”
"The proposed increase by PECO to electric and natural gas rates could not come at a worse time. This only adds insult to injury as everything is becoming more expensive and is an unsustainable burden to all residents of Delco,” said Rep. Lisa Borowski.
“More and more Pennsylvanians statewide are struggling to afford basic necessities because of the rapid and significant rise in cost of living, housing, fuel, food, and more,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger. “Delaware County is one of the most densely populated counties in this Commonwealth. When prices skyrocket, thousands of our residents suffer. We will not unduly allow PECO to add to their burden.”