News Releases

PPL's Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Luzerne County near Berwick, Pa., returned to full operating power Monday (9/15) after crews repaired a small leak in a pump lubrication system that was responsible for a small oil fire last Wednesday night (9/10).

"Plant personnel conducted a thorough investigation and found no damage. While the problem did not affect the safe operation of the plant, it did require us to reduce the power output of the Unit 1 reactor until the repairs were completed," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, special assistant to the president for Susquehanna.

At 11:14 p.m. Wednesday, a small fire started on one of three pumps that provide water to the Unit 1 reactor to help produce power. The pump is not directly related to the plant's nuclear safety systems, which were not affected by the incident.

The plant's fire brigade extinguished the fire in eight minutes. There were no injuries, and there was never any threat to the safety of general public as a result of this incident, Woodeshick said.

Unit 1 remained at about 70 percent power while repairs were made. Unit 2 was unaffected and remained at full power.

The Susquehanna plant, located about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna.

PPL Susquehanna LLC is a member of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation controls about 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.

SOURCE: PPL Corporation

CONTACT: Herbert D. Woodeshick, PPL Corporation, +1-570-759-2285
or Fax: +1-610-774-5281

Web site: http://www.pplweb.com/