News Releases

PPL Electric Utilities is wrapping up 10 distribution system upgrade projects at a cost of about $13 million, which will improve service and reduce outages for about 25,000 customers.

These projects will replace outdated equipment and targeted circuits that are approaching overload or have experienced relatively more frequent outages. The projects represent a piece of the company’s winter readiness activities. Winter is one of the utility’s periods of peak demand, due to the extensive use of electric heat in certain areas of its service territory.

“We are committed to providing solid reliability and improving service to our customers,” said Carl Segneri, vice president-Distribution Operations for PPL Electric Utilities. “We’ve identified areas that most need improvement, and these upgrades will result in noticeably stronger, more reliable electric service.”

These projects are part of PPL Electric Utilities’ expanded capital investment program to strengthen, upgrade and modernize its electric delivery system, funded with $450 million this year and $3.4 billion over five years. For more information on the company’s reliability programs, system improvements, and major projects, visit www.pplreliablepower.com. 

Improvement projects being completed late this year include:

• A new distribution line in Lancaster County will relieve load and improve reliability on existing lines that serve about 5,700 customers in Brecknock, East Cocalico, Earl and East Earl townships and Terre Hill borough. New equipment also was installed to allow system operators to remotely transfer load between lines, quickly isolate faults in the event of an outage, and restore service more quickly. This project was completed in November at a cost of about $1.1 million.

• A new substation and 4-mile distribution line have been built in Lower Windsor Township, York County, to improve reliability for about 3,350 customers on the west side of the Susquehanna River. At a $4.2 million project cost, the new facilities provide an additional electric source, which will mean faster restoration times when outages occur.

• Eight miles of line is being rebuilt between substations in Jersey Shore and West Williamsport in Lycoming County to provide more reliable service to about 4,000 customers. Advanced switches also are being installed that will help operators locate problems and more quickly restore service in the event of an outage. The work will be done by year’s end at a cost of $2 million.

• The company invested $1.5 million to upgrade a pair of local substations and build two new distribution circuits that serve Millville Borough and Benton Township in  Columbia County. The upgrades will reduce load on existing lines, better meet increased local demand for electricity, and improve reliability. Also, switches were installed that will help operators restore service faster when outages occur.

• About $930,000 was invested this year to upgrade the company’s distribution system in North and South Manheim townships in Schuylkill County. The utility rebuilt four miles of aerial lines and associated electrical equipment, like fuses, transformers and lightning arrestors.

• Crews have built a new distribution circuit that is fed from the company’s Brookside substation in La Plume Township, Lackawanna County, which will relieve load on existing facilities. This new source, along with the installation of automated devices, will reduce outages and increase reliability for about 1,800 customers. The cost of the project was $759,000.

• An existing line of about 1.7 miles was rebuilt with higher capacity conductor to better meet peak winter demand and serve about 1,700 customers in Moscow Borough, Lackawanna County, at a cost of $783,000.

• The company also recently completed the construction of a new 12-kilovolt distribution line along Jonas Road in Polk Township, Monroe County. The new line will eventually be served from a new Effort Mountain substation. Reliability will be improved for about 2,700 customers. The project cost $402,000.

• About 1.2 miles of line along Route 715 near Tannersville were upgraded with higher grade wire that is more resilient to tree contact. This project will improve reliability for 1,300 customers in the Reeders area of Monroe County. Project cost: $663,000.

• A Pike County project relocated 1.5 miles of distribution line in Dyberry Township, which will allow for easier access for maintenance and reduce the risk of lengthy outages for 420 customers. The line, built in the 1930s, was moved from a wooded area closer to Route 191 and the Oregon Turnpike at a cost of $555,000.

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.