Jun 24, 2021 | Reliability
Trees are the number one cause of storm-related outages. That’s why we take a proactive approach to keeping lines clear.
Thanks to the combined efforts of our vegetation management program, in 2020, we reduced tree-related outages by 14 percent over the prior year.
Here’s how we do it:
Routine trimming
We trim trees across 33,000 miles of overhead power lines to reduce the risk of outages. We have an established time- and- condition based maintenance program to make sure we’re trimming trees at the right times. We also use data analytics and innovative technology to identify the areas with a higher probability of tree-caused outages.
Don’t attempt to trim or remove trees near our lines on your own. Our qualified line clearance tree trimmers have specialized training to work around our power lines. If you want to remove a tree growing within 10 feet of a power line, call us first.
Goodbye hazard trees
Imagine how difficult and dangerous it is when a large tree brings down power lines in a storm. Assessing the damage, clearing the area for safe repairs, and restoring power to those impacted by a downed line can take hours.
That’s why we proactively remove hazard trees that pose a threat of falling and damaging our lines with permission from the property owner. The removal of these trees in advance of a storm prevents significant damage, removes a safety risk for the public and our employees, and reduces the likelihood of power outages.
In addition to tree trimming, we install animal guards, inspect and maintain our lines and equipment, and continue to improve our smart grid technology to provide you with reliable service all throughout the year.
Jun 24, 2021 | Environment
Each and every year, we conduct tree trimming throughout our service territory to help maintain reliable service and prevent outages. While getting the customers the power they need is certainly our main focus, one of the unique benefits of successful tree trimming is feeding animals like Tatu, the giraffe, at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. 
Instead of ending up in a chipper, the smaller branches and tree debris we collect through our vegetation management program are donated to help feed the animals. Tatu, and his other leaf-loving friends at the zoo, can enjoy this especially delicious fare that assists in keeping the animals’ digestive systems running smoothly.
Trees are the number one cause of storm-related power outages, which is why we have an established time-and-condition based maintenance program to make sure we’re trimming trees at the right time.
In 2020 alone, we reduced tree-related outages by 14 percent from the prior year. This work is essential to keeping the lights on and great for curbing Tatu’s appetite.
Jun 24, 2021 | Customer Service
Summer is moving season in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re helping your child move into a new college house, trading your home for an apartment downtown, or building a house for your growing family, we have tips to make transferring your electric service simple.
1. Ask your realtor or landlord for the meter number at your new residence so there’s no confusion about the address.
2. Confirm with prior tenants or homeowners when they are planning to request to stop service in their names. Then you can request the same date to prevent a gap in service.
3. Decide which of the following requests works best for your family:
- Start service: You can start service at any address within our territory without stopping service at another property.
- Stop service: Moving out of the area? You can simply stop your existing service and we’ll send you a final bill.
- Transfer service: Stop service at your existing property and start service at a new home with just a few clicks.
4. Visit pplelectric.com/moving up to 40 days before you move to process a request to start, stop or transfer your electric service.
New! If someone requests to start service at your existing address, you may receive a text or email from us to confirm. If you’re moving, there’s no need to take action. If the change was requested in error, let us know so we can prevent a new customer from starting service at the wrong address.
Moving requests only take a few minutes on our website, so there’s no need to wait. Cross this off your moving to-do list and get back to packing!
May 6, 2021 | Energy Efficiency
Flowers and candy are Mother’s Day mainstays, but this year try something new— make energy-efficient changes around your mom’s house for a gift that keeps on giving all year long. But, don’t forget the flowers. She’s your mom, after all.
Here are a few tips:
Clean the ceiling fans and vents.
- Not only can they be hard to reach, but they’re prone to dust buildup. Clogged vents could make Mom’s heating and cooling systems work harder to move air through the house. By using the ceiling fan and turning up the thermostat by only two degrees, your mom can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14%.
Install and fine-tune her window AC unit.
- If your mom lives in a home without central air, save her the hard work of installing window units. Be sure she knows how to use the timer settings to keep the unit running efficiently. Setting the timer to turn on the unit when she arrives home instead of running when the house is empty, for instance, will save money.
Change the lightbulbs.
- Swapping out costly and inefficient incandescent lightbulbs in Mom’s home with LED bulbs can save up to $75 each year, and they can last 3 to 25 times longer.
Landscape for efficiency.
- Planting trees, shrubs and other landscaping features in appropriate places brings a bounty of energy savings, from cutting heating and cooling costs to reducing noise and air pollution. On average, a well-designed landscape saves enough energy to pay for itself in eight years.
Install a programmable thermostat.
- Help Mom set it and forget it. Programmable thermostats adjust when the heat or air conditioning turns on according to a preset schedule. Keeping the house warmer than normal when she is away and at 78°F when she’s home can save Mom up to 10% on her energy bill every year.
May 5, 2021 | Community Involvement, Environment
Thousands of blueberry, serviceberry, eastern redbud, river oak and sycamore trees are getting planted across our territory, thanks to our Community Roots program.
Just this week, our employees distributed nearly 12,000 tree seedlings to conservation organizations, such as Wildlands Conservancy in Lehigh County, where they’re being prepared for spring planting.
Since 2017, we have distributed more than 105,000 free trees to help preserve the environment by reducing greenhouse gases, promoting healthy waterways, and giving birds, bees, and butterflies a natural food source.
The trees, which also help to beautify parks and other public spaces, are given to environmentally focused groups, municipal and county governments and fourth grade students at schools in our service territory.
“Community Roots is a great way for us to promote trees and their benefits and reinforce to the public our commitment to the environment,” said Lori Burkert, manager of Environmental Compliance.
