Senator Tracy Pennycuick called on the Pennsylvania Utility Commission on April 9 to reject proposed rate increases by PECO for electric and natural gas services.
Pennycuick said the proposed hikes would add financial strain to residents who are already facing high utility costs. She highlighted that after previous rate increases granted in January 2025—10% for electric service and 12.5% for natural gas—PECO reported a significant rise in net revenue, reaching $814 million, which represented a 47.7% increase for the year.
“Despite this substantial revenue growth, PECO is now seeking additional rate increases—12.5% for residential electric customers and 11.4% for residential natural gas customers—amounting to a combined cost of $429 million for consumers,” said Pennycuick.
“These proposed increases come on the heels of already substantial rate hikes and significant revenue gains,” she said. “At a time when families are continuing to face financial pressures, any additional burden on ratepayers deserves careful scrutiny.”
According to the official website, Pennycuick has served in public roles supporting veterans and law enforcement through her military career and board memberships. She completed a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1987 and began her military service as a combat medic before serving as an officer in Desert Shield/Desert Storm over her 26-year Army career, retiring as lieutenant colonel.
Pennycuick was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2022 after serving previously in the General Assembly, according to the official website. She lives with her husband, also an Army veteran, their four grown children, and two grandchildren in Harleysville.
