Peco cuts natural gas charges 11 percent

Weak natural-gas prices will pay off again for Peco Energy Co.'s suburban gas customers starting Monday, when the Philadelphia utility will reduce its usage charges by 11 percent, to $1.21 per hundred cubic feet.

Peco said the adjustment would save a typical customer about $12 per month.

Peco said it is projecting that prices will remain relatively flat through next winter's heating season for its 485,000 gas customers in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania suburbs.

Pennsylvania utilities are required to make such adjustments each quarter, based on the actual costs each utility pays for its gas supplies.

Peco also passed along rate cuts on Dec. 1 and March 1, reflecting continuing market weakness after last summer's peak in energy prices.    - Jeff Gelles