PPL Electric Utilities making necessary investments to strengthen and modernize infrastructure and expand services and support for customers
Company files regulatory rate request to enhance service reliability, improve resiliency and better meet customer needs today and in the future.
"We understand that rising costs of living and affordability matter to every family and business we serve, and we've been committed to keeping the costs we can control down. Over the past decade, we've deployed advanced technologies to operate more efficiently, invested responsibly in the grid and expanded assistance programs to support those who need help paying their energy bills. This commitment to efficiency has meant that
"To continue providing our customers with safe and reliable electric service, we need to make important investments in our system. With nearly 47,000 miles of distribution lines, 1 million poles, hundreds of substations, and thousands of pieces of equipment, costs are rising to maintain and upgrade these essential services. We're requesting a rate adjustment to support these necessary improvements and help ensure power stays on, especially as severe weather becomes more common," said Martin.
Supporting a stronger grid and continued customer value
The company's proposal requests funding to:
- Further strengthen and modernize the electric grid to better withstand severe weather events, minimize outages and protect against evolving cyber threats. Ongoing investments include comprehensive tree trimming and installing stronger poles and wire and equipment guards.
- Continue to implement next-generation smart grid technologies such as advanced automation to accelerate restoration times and reduce outages, and data analytics to inform smarter business decisions that deliver the greatest value for customers. The company's advanced smart grid has already helped avoid more than 3 million outages.
- Improve customer service systems and expand self-service options to offer more convenience and flexibility for customers, and reduce call wait times.
"In recent years, we have faced record-breaking storms in frequency and intensity," said Martin. "Thanks to our investments in a more resilient electric grid — like stronger infrastructure, enhanced vegetation management and advanced automation — our customers are experiencing fewer outages. We're proud to have prevented more than half a million power outages so far this year, but we know our work is not done. These necessary investments are vital to power the lives and communities we serve, and we're committed to keeping the lights on, continuing to operate as efficiently as possible and finding better ways to serve our customers every day."
Committed to supporting customers through change
The company's last distribution base rate change occurred on
Pending regulatory approval, the requested change would add about
For a typical commercial customer using 1,000 kWh and 3 KW per month, the increase would be about
The requested increase would go directly toward strengthening reliability and improving customer service for
If approved, the company expects new rates would become effective on
Customers who may be struggling to pay their electric bills can visit pplelectric.com to learn more and access available resources.
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