PECO tells Chester council it will relocate gas meters outside and pursue multi-year upgrades

Michelle Garrity, PECO’s external affairs manager for Delaware County, told the Chester City Council on Feb. 25 that the utility is planning multi-year work in the city and that regulators require moving gas meters outside of buildings for safety.

Garrity said PECO is investing over the next five years in replacement of gas mains, poles and underground electric cable and that customers on Avenue of the States will see service transfers and meter relocations. “This is a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission requirement,” she said, explaining that regulators want the regulator portion of a meter to vent outside in case of a problem.

Garrity described the current surface condition on Avenue of the States as a temporary trench. She said crews cannot pave in cold temperatures and that PECO will return to repave when weather allows. She also offered a claims process for businesses affected by recent underground-cable damage, saying PECO’s claims staff has been in contact with affected owners and that any remaining owners should contact Andrew (city staff) so PECO can follow up.

During questions, a council member asked whether moving meters outdoors posed an environmental risk. Garrity replied the amount of gas that might vent in such a scenario would be no larger than momentary appliance emissions and said the change is a safety measure. She also attributed a recent manhole incident to salt intrusion into conduit that led to cable failure and a manhole explosion; PECO said it is working with affected businesses through its claims unit.

Garrity provided a local investment figure for Chester projects and broader service work in the county, and said contractors monitoring trenches will return for restoration when asphalt is available. She closed by reaffirming a point raised by councilors: that PECO will improve communication with downtown businesses and provide a project liaison and claims contact when specific work begins.

What happens next: PECO will continue local outreach, transfer services to the new gas main where needed and follow up on outstanding claims. The council accepted the presentation and asked staff to share PECO’s contact information with downtown business owners.