PECO To Spend $45M Enhancing Electric Reliability In 4 Bucks Co. Townships

BUCKS COUNTY, PA ? Beginning this fall, PECO said it will spend $45 million enhancing its electric distribution system in four Bucks County townships - Upper Makefield, Wrightstown, Solebury and Buckingham.

According to PECO, the project will strengthen its electric infrastructure to better withstand more frequent and damaging storms, improve reliability by reducing the frequency of outages, and support the adoption of cleaner energy resources such as solar and electric vehicles.

As part of the project, PECO will be upgrading and installing new equipment, which is expected to improve reliability, reduce the frequency of outages, and minimize the duration of outages when they do occur.

PECO said it plans to replace all wires, cables, poles, devices, and transformers serving customers associated with the Wright/Mountain/Stony Unit substations. Also, new aerial devices called reclosers will be installed.

(PECO Project Area map)

"When a problem occurs, like a fallen tree limb or a lightning strike, the recloser stops the flow of electricity on the line and automatically restores electricity where possible," said PECO.

Poles will also be replaced on the existing pole line to meet current industry standards ? they will be taller than current poles. PECO said it will be following current National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards for the project and as such, greater clearances will be required. Tree and vegetation clearance distances are based on tree species and types of electrical equipment and are aligned with industry standards for maintaining safe and reliable electric service.

"The project will also require vegetation work in the areas where the electric upgrade work is occurring, including tree work that we have identified on individual properties," said PECO. "Tree trimming and removal promotes reliability and safety by ensuring proper clearance and minimizing vegetation that could potentially cause a power outage. PECO works with certified arborists and professional foresters and adheres to industry standards when managing tree trimming and removal."

The project will impact the following streets and neighborhoods in the four townships:

• In Upper Makefield Township: Lurgen Road, Street Road, Windy Hollow Road, Eagle Road, Thompson Hill Road, Jericho Mountain Road, Windy Bush Road, Pineville Road, Brownsburg Road West and Coltsneck Drive.
• In Wrightstown: Pine Lane, Pineville Road, Windy Bush Road, Alexanders Court, Skoures Lane, Jericho Valley Drive, Whisper Wood Court, Firecreek Road, Firethorn Road, Hunters Wood Court, Ridge Road, Warner Way, Durham Road, Fox Hill Drive, Martindell Drive, Parsons Lane, Perry Lane, Park Avenue, Cherry Lane, Washington Avenue, Mill Creek Road, Brownsburg Road, Thompson Hill Road, Matthews Lane, Wrenwood Road, Pheasant Drive and Robin Road.
• In Solebury Township: Old Windy Bush Road, Windy Bush Road, Pidcock Creek Road, Atkinson Road, Street Road, Covered Bridge Road and Stoney Hill Road.
• In Buckingham Township: Street Road, Tower View Road, Pineville Road, New Road, Ridge Road, Holicong Road, Durham Road, Smith Road, New Hope Road, Creek Road, Forest Grove Road, Township Line Road, Lower Mountain Road and Upper Mountain Road.

Project Timeline

Starting in late September, PECO contractor Davey Resource Group (DRG) will be in the area surveying the tree work to determine the impact. If there is required tree work on private property, PECO will contact the property owner directly to review what work needs to be done.

Vegetation work, which includes potential tree trimming and removals based on DRG?s assessments, will begin as early as November in portions of Buckingham, Solebury and Upper Makefield Townships.

"We have developed a plan to minimize direct customer impact as much as possible and to complete the project in a safe and timely manner," said PECO.