News Releases

PPL Electric Utilities is preparing for the winter storm that is moving into the area from the South today (3/4). While it is still unclear exactly what this winter weather system will bring, PPL Electric Utilities is prepared to respond to customer needs in the company's 29-county service area of eastern and central Pennsylvania.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981015/PHTH025 )

"Our storm emergency personnel continue to monitor the storm closely. We are making sure that we will have people and equipment ready to respond," said Robert Gombos, PPL Electric Utilities vice president for Mobile Work Force. "We will be as ready as we can be for any power outages or equipment damage the storm may cause if the snow is wet and heavy and if the winds pick up."

As a precaution, PPL has contacted other electric companies and contractors about the possibility of providing additional crews to help repair storm damage, should they be needed. PPL also has arranged to have additional call-center employees, linemen and support personnel on duty.

"We are aggressively preparing for the storm so that if customers need us to respond to power outages at any time, we will be there as quickly as possible," Gombos said.

Should service be disrupted, PPL customers can call toll-free at 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIAL PPL) at any time to report a power outage or other emergency, such as a fallen wire. "A build-up of ice and wet snow can cause tree limbs to fall into power lines, knocking wires to the ground," Gombos said. "If someone sees wires on the ground, they should stay away and immediately call PPL, even if the wires appear to be inactive."

While widespread outages are not expected at this time, customers can prepare by having a supply of fresh batteries for flashlights and radios, keeping bottled water and stocking canned food that does not have to be cooked.

PPL Utilities provides electric and natural gas service to 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania. It is a subsidiary of Allentown, Pa. -- based PPL Corp., which through its family of companies generates electricity at power plants in Pennsylvania, Maine and Montana; markets wholesale or retail energy in 42 U.S. states and Canada; and delivers electricity to nearly 6 million customers in Pennsylvania, in the United Kingdom and in Latin America.

For localized coverage of PPL's storm preparations, contact the Community Development Director in your area:

  Lehigh Valley/Pocono/Bucks-Montgomery counties: Paul Canevari 888-512-3447
  Lancaster:  800-582-1106
  Harrisburg:  800-521-4490
  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton:  Rich Beasley 570-344-1648
  Bloomsburg/Schuykill:  Rod Keller 570-784-8470
  Sunbury:  Bob Ruffaner 570-523-7723
  Williamsport/Lock Haven: Don Stringfellow 570-440-1216

NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981015/PHTH025

PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467

SOURCE: PPL Electric Utilities

Contact: Constance Walker of PPL Electric Utilities, 610-774-5997

Website: http://www.pplnewsroom.com/