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'Replace fossil fuels': Climate activists target PECO's next power purchase plan
Every four years, PECO makes a plan to buy electricity for its customers. Climate activists want the utility to do something different the next time around.Full article: https://whyy.org/articles/peco-power-purchase-plan-climate-activists-renewable-energy/
By Sophia SchmidtJune 29, 2023
WHYY NEWS Climate Desk
POWER Interfaith held a rally outside City Hall to announce the People’s Energy Plan on June 28, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
In the coming months, the electric utility serving the Philadelphia area will propose a plan to buy power for the next four years.
Activists are pushing for more renewable energy at affordable rates. The statewide faith-based advocacy group organizing for racial and economic justice (POWER) rallied at City Hall in Philadelphia Wednesday to promote its “People’s Energy Plan,” a set of principles urging PECO to sign long-term contracts for renewable energy and to “democratize” the energy procurement process by meeting with activists and stakeholders.
-snip-
Every four years, PECO proposes a plan to state regulators detailing energy purchases for its customers who do not choose an alternate provider. This “default service program” goes through public hearings, sees input and challenges from stakeholders, and eventually, must be approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
The company’s current plan expires in May 2025. PECO plans to propose a new one early next year, which would stretch until 2029 — just six years before the Biden Administration’s goal to eliminate carbon emissions from the grid.
The electricity that PECO’s 1.6 million customers in the Philly area receive comes from the regional grid, known as PJM, where more than 60% of the power is generated from natural gas and coal. Close to a third of the energy comes from nuclear, which does not directly produce carbon emissions. Less than 7% comes from renewables, including solar, wind, and hydropower.
-SNIP-
Activists are pushing for more renewable energy at affordable rates. The statewide faith-based advocacy group organizing for racial and economic justice (POWER) rallied at City Hall in Philadelphia Wednesday to promote its “People’s Energy Plan,” a set of principles urging PECO to sign long-term contracts for renewable energy and to “democratize” the energy procurement process by meeting with activists and stakeholders.
-snip-
Every four years, PECO proposes a plan to state regulators detailing energy purchases for its customers who do not choose an alternate provider. This “default service program” goes through public hearings, sees input and challenges from stakeholders, and eventually, must be approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
The company’s current plan expires in May 2025. PECO plans to propose a new one early next year, which would stretch until 2029 — just six years before the Biden Administration’s goal to eliminate carbon emissions from the grid.
The electricity that PECO’s 1.6 million customers in the Philly area receive comes from the regional grid, known as PJM, where more than 60% of the power is generated from natural gas and coal. Close to a third of the energy comes from nuclear, which does not directly produce carbon emissions. Less than 7% comes from renewables, including solar, wind, and hydropower.
-SNIP-
Full Article: https://whyy.org/articles/peco-power-purchase-plan-climate-activists-renewable-energy/