PPL Electric Utilities Chooses Route for New Power Line in Northeast Pennsylvania and Pocono Region

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After consideration of public input and careful study of the region, PPL Electric Utilities has chosen a route for a new power line as part of a project to improve electric service for homes and businesses in northeast Pennsylvania and the Poconos, the company said Tuesday (10/11).

The new power line and three new substations will provide safe and reliable electricity to homes and businesses in the region, said David Bonenberger, general manager-Transmission Operations. "These new facilities will reduce the number of power outages experienced by our customers, and also reduce the duration of outages caused by falling trees or severe weather," he said.

In choosing the location for the new 230-kilovolt power line and the new 69-kilovolt power lines that are needed for this project, the company conducted an extensive public input process and a months-long study of the region.

"Our goal is to minimize impacts on people and the environment to the extent possible," Bonenberger said. "With the growth in this region, new lines and substations are required so that people have reliable electricity delivery when they need it the most."

After additional public open houses to take comments on the chosen route, PPL Electric Utilities will begin the process of submitting the required applications to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for approval.

The company also has selected locations for three new electrical substations. Detailed information on the chosen route and substation locations has been mailed to property owners near the new facilities, and also is available on the project website, www.pplreliablepower.com/Northeast-Pocono.

The new power lines and substations will serve 250,000 people in parts of Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne, Pike and Luzerne counties. This project is part of more than $3 billion in infrastructure improvements planned by PPL Electric Utilities to benefit customers throughout its 29-county service territory.

PPL Electric Utilities has scheduled three public open houses around the project area to get public input on the chosen route. The open houses have no set agenda and no formal presentation, so people may attend anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to get more details about the project and talk with various PPL Electric Utilities experts. Open houses will be held:

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Co., 490 Main St. (Route 507), Gouldsboro, Pa.
• Wednesday, Oct. 26 – Greene-Dreher Volunteer Fire Association, 460 Crestmont Drive, Newfoundland, Pa.
• Thursday, Oct. 27 – Thornhurst Fire & Rescue, 125 River Road, Thornhurst, Pa.

This project also will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the area. Electricity use in the region has been increasing for decades, as new homes were built and existing homes used more electronic devices and appliances. This growth slowed slightly during the recent economic recession, and is likely to be partially offset by energy-saving measures being promoted by PPL Electric Utilities. But overall, demand in the region – particularly at peak times such as the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights – is expected to continue to increase.

In addition to the new substations and new power line, the company will rebuild about 20 miles of an existing 69-kilovolt power line that runs from the Peckville area in Lackawanna County to Honesdale in Wayne County. PPL Electric Utilities also will make other improvements to facilities in the area.

"This work will benefit everyone in this region," Bonenberger said. "It will improve service to our electric customers, and it will ensure that we can meet the growing demand for electricity, now and long into the future."

For more information and a map of the project area, visit the project website at www.pplreliablepower.com/Northeast-Pocono or call the special toll-free public comment line at 1-888-654-0823.

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania and has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.

SOURCE PPL Electric Utilities