Tenants’ attorneys charge PECO with overbilling low-income customers

Utility billing sheet
Photo credit Maksim Shchur/Getty Images

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UPDATED: 10:13 p.m.

At the time, that was 13 to 17 percent of a customers’ income. 

Last year, the PUC lowered the energy burden to six to ten percent of income, but Price said PECO is still sending bills that eat up 17 percent, or even more, of some customers’ income. 

“PECO is overcharging its most vulnerable customers and refusing to take the action that we believe is legally required, and as a result, customers who are low-income are being asked to pay more than they should be,” Price said. 

Price said some of the customers have fallen behind on their bills and are at risk of losing service when the shutoff moratorium ends.

The complaint, filed on behalf of the Tenants Union, asks the PUC to order PECO to lower the bills and impose fines for violating the settlement.

PECO released the following statement Wednesday evening:

"We respectfully disagree with Community Legal Services (CLS) and believe we are in full compliance with the 2015 settlement on the low-income Customer Assistance Program. PECO has had several open and transparent conversations with numerous low income advocates throughout the years, including CLS, about our efforts to ensure affordability. We look forward to a fair and open hearing as this issue is resolved through the PA Public Utility Commission process. We will continue to operate in the best interest of our customers, particularly the most vulnerable and those recently impacted by the pandemic."