Pennsylvania is the leading petroleum refining state in the Northeast. It receives its propane supply via TEPPCO pipeline and rail. However, a major problem affecting the energy companies in this region is that the petroleum prices soar alarmingly during the winter season. To counter this, in July 2000 the US president ordered the Department Of Energy to establish the North East Heating Oil Reserve.
Natural gas reserves in the state are negligible, but the establishment of an extension of the Rockies Express Pipeline and a liquefied natural gas terminal in Logan Township have greatly increased the natural gas storage capacity of the state. Natural gas in Pennsylvania is used by residents, industries, as well as for electricity generation.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Coal Region has the largest anthracite coal reserves in the country. Bituminous coal comes from the western part of the state where the Bailey Mine is located. More than half of the state's electricity production is from coal. The companies comprising the energy market in Pennsylvania also substantially depend on nuclear energy. The state ranks second in nuclear power generation capacity in the USA. The 5 operating nuclear plants in the state account for more than 1/3rd of the state's energy generation.
The Pennsylvania Energy Development Plan envisions clean, diverse, advanced energy, and stable energy prices for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which will attract new investments in the state. Sustainability and replication of available energy resources is also another aim of the 19 member board of PEDA. The Energy Association of Pennsylvania was formed in 2000 to look into the interests of the PUC regulated electric and natural gas energy distribution companies. It has more than 95 affiliated members. Another cornerstone while discussing the energy companies in Pennsylvania is PECO. It is Pennsylvania's largest utility and maintaining network having 550 power stations. The company serves more than 1.6 million electric customers.
Some other major energy companies of Pennsylvania are as follows:
- Citizens Electric Of Lewisburg
- Duquesne Light Company (DQE)
- First Energy (Penn Power)
- First Energy (Met Ed)
- First Energy (Penelec)
