News Releases

Montgomery County site will serve most of state’s electric utility customers

Older, energy-hogging refrigerators and freezers recycled by energy-conscious PPL Electric Utilities customers are being processed at a new recycling center that eventually will serve about 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s electric utility consumers.

The facility, operated by JACO Environmental Inc. for PPL Electric Utilities, PECO and FirstEnergy Corp., formally opened its doors Wednesday (3/10) in a dedication ceremony in Hatfield, Montgomery County. About 40 new “green” jobs are expected to be produced through the facility and the utilities’ appliance recycling programs. 

Those who attended the official opening of the center at 2705 Clemens Road include state Public Utility Commission Chairman James H. Cawley; state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger; executives from PPL Electric Utilities, PECO and FirstEnergy Corp.; and various local officials. All three utilities contract with JACO to run their programs to recycle old, inefficient refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners.

“PPL Electric Utilities is proud to be part of this historic effort to help customers save money and energy and refocus attention on the benefits of energy efficiency,” said Bob Geneczko, vice president of Customer Services for PPL Electric Utilities.

“Since PPL Electric Utilities’ program started in early November, more than 4,200 units have either been recycled or scheduled for pickup,” he said. “That’s an amazing testament to the interest in using energy more wisely, which has the added benefit of being good for the environment.”

PPL Electric Utilities expects to easily surpass its goal of recycling 5,000 units by May 31. The company’s ultimate goal is to recycle 69,000 units throughout its 29-county Pennsylvania service territory by 2013.

PPL Electric Utilities customers who recycle a refrigerator or freezer get a $35 incentive check and free appliance pickup. As a bonus, old room air conditioners bring $25, but they must be recycled along with a refrigerator or freezer.

Customers can save up to $150 a year on their electric bill by removing an old, inefficient refrigerator or freezer. According to the federal government, refrigerators made before 1993 likely use more than twice the energy of a new ENERGY STAR® model.

About 95 percent of each unit is recycled by JACO, including metals, plastic, oils and the foam insulation.

“Old refrigerators contain substances such as mercury, oil and ozone-eating CFCs. As a result, they pose a significant threat to the environment when improperly discarded,” said Michael Dunham, JACO’s director of Energy and Environmental Programs. “This new program helps save energy and the planet.”

Customers interested in recycling their kilowatt-hungry refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners can call 1-877-270-3522 or visit www.pplelectric.com/e-power/recycle.

PPL Electric Utilities’ appliance recycling program is one of more than a dozen E-power programs that give its customers the power to make a difference by helping them reduce their electricity use and carbon footprint and save money.

To learn more about all of the E-power programs, visit www.pplelectric.com/e-power.

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery service to 1.4 million customers in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania and has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.