Why are PECO's utility bills in Wyncote, Pennsylvania so high?

PECO is currently spending $1.8 billion over five years to replace its gas pipelines, and regulators allow the utility to pass these costs directly to ratepayers, leading to record-high residential gas rates in Wyncote and other areas.

How is the infrastructure overhaul affecting the environment?

The main component of "natural" gas, methane, is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere much more efficiently than carbon dioxide. The extensive pipeline construction and gas burning are leading contributors to the planet's overheating.

What can homeowners do to save on energy costs and reduce pollution?

Families can switch to efficient electric appliances like heat pumps, which both warm and cool homes without burning fuel. Heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces every year since 2021 and can help cut household energy costs and emissions.

Home / Environment / Homeowners Struggle with Surging Utility Bills Amid Infrastructure Upgrades

Homeowners Struggle with Surging Utility Bills Amid Infrastructure Upgrades

14 Nov

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Summary

Residents see gas and electric bills reach "thousand-dollar" levels
Utility spending $1.8 billion to replace gas pipelines, costs passed to ratepayers
Methane gas is a powerful pollutant contributing to climate change

Homeowners Struggle with Surging Utility Bills Amid Infrastructure Upgrades

As of November 14th, 2025, homeowners across the United States are grappling with a concerning trend – their utility bills are climbing to unprecedented levels. This surge in costs appears to be directly tied to the extensive construction and infrastructure overhaul happening on their local streets.

In Wyncote, Pennsylvania, resident Michelle Lordi recently reported that her gas and electric bills have reached "thousand-dollar" levels. Lordi noted that it "looks like they are tearing every single bit of infrastructure up here," indicating the significant scale of the ongoing work.

The local utility, PECO, is currently in the midst of a $1.8 billion, five-year project to replace its aging gas pipelines. Regulators have allowed utilities to pass these substantial upgrade costs directly to ratepayers, further burdening homeowners.