News Releases

A prolonged period of arctic cold has resulted in the 1.3 million customers of PPL Electric Utilities in eastern and central Pennsylvania, setting a new electricity-use record.

At 7:30 a.m. Thursday (1/23), customers used 7,096 megawatts of electricity, breaking the old record of 6,928 megawatts set on Jan. 17, 2000. With the cold weather expected to continue, more records may be set tonight and Friday morning (1/24).

"When our customers need electricity, they can count on us to provide reliable electric delivery service," said Michael E. Bray, president of PPL Electric Utilities. "We operate and maintain our power lines and equipment for the record level of usage that comes with this type of weather."

The cold has not had a significant effect on power plant operations in the region, meaning PPL Electric Utilities customers in 29 Pennsylvania counties also have plenty of electricity available to meet their needs during the cold spell.

Because of increased electricity use with the cold weather, customers should expect to receive higher-than-normal electric bills. The company offers a number of ways to help customers with bill payments, including a Budget Billing program that evens out payments over a 12-month period. To enroll, customers should call the company's toll-free phone number, 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIAL PPL).

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). 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 Electric Utilities

CONTACT: George Lewis, PPL Corporation, +1-610-774-5997, or fax,
+1-610-774-5281

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