News Releases

Whatever the weather brings this holiday weekend, PPL Utilities is prepared to respond to customer calls, with additional people working and well stocked bucket trucks that will be ready to roll if and when needed.

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

"We've been monitoring this storm," said Robert M. Geneczko, PPL Utilities vice president for Power Delivery, "and we are making sure that we will have people and equipment ready to respond."

He added that PPL does not expect significant service problems based on the snow that is forecast for eastern and central Pennsylvania. Ice, wind and slushy snow cause far more damage to power lines and electrical equipment than the powdery snow expected from the approaching storm.

Still, power outages may occur for reasons other than snow, and PPL has arranged to have additional call-center employees, linemen and support personnel on duty.

This afternoon, PPL will be filling the fuel tanks of all its bucket trucks, placing chains on truck tires and stocking trucks with a full complement of material needed to make power-line repairs.

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

Customers can call PPL toll-free at 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIAL PPL) at any time over the weekend to report a power outage or other emergency, such as a fallen wire.

While widespread power outages are not expected as a result of the storm, 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.

PPL Utilities is a subsidiary of PPL Corp. (NYSE: PPL). Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corp. 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.

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

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

SOURCE: PPL Utilities

Contact: George Lewis of PPL, 610-774-5997, or fax, 610-774-5281