Dec 22, 2022 | Storms and Outages
Power outage? Text “outage” to “TXTPPL” or report it here.
Update: 12.24.22, 6 p.m.
- Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages across our territory.
- As of approximately 6 p.m., less than 2,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
- Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for nearly 102,000 customers.
- Our crews continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts here. You can also check the status of an outage here.
- We’re expecting very cold temperatures throughout the weekend. Please read the extreme cold safety tips below. Stay safe and be well.
Update: 12.24.22, 12 p.m.
- Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages across our territory. If additional outages occur today, we’re prepared to respond.
- As of approximately noon, about 5,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
- Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for nearly 100,000 customers.
- Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can also check the status of an outage online at pplelectric.com/outage
Update: 12.23.22, 4 p.m.
- Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages, and we’re expecting more outages as the storm evolves.
- As of approximately 4 p.m., about 32,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
- Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for more than 53,000 customers.
- Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can also check the status of an outage online at pplelectric.com/outage
- The temperature is falling and we’re expecting very cold temperatures throughout the weekend. We encourage our customers to stay safe during this time.
Update: 12.23.22, 10:30 a.m.
The forecast is calling for plummeting temperatures as an artic front moves through the area. Please stay safe and be prepared with these tips:
- Prepare and maintain an emergency kit with food, water, medication and any pet supplies you may need.
- Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Heat loss is even greater during periods of extreme cold. Cover drafty windows. Roll up a towel or blanket for the bottom of drafty exterior doors. (When possible, add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.)
- When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. (If you raise the thermostat, your home will use more energy.)
- Before going to sleep or if you’re out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills.
- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
- Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
- If you have a power outage, avoid using candles for lighting because they can start fires. Use flashlights instead.
- If you use a portable generator, never operate it in your home, garage or any enclosed area where deadly carbon monoxide fumes can accumulate.
- If you rely on medical equipment or have special personal needs, plan what you would do in the event of an extended power outage at your home.
Update: 12.23.22, 9 a.m.
- Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages. We’re expecting more outages throughout the day as winds ramp up and temperatures plummet. Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible.
- As of approximately 9 a.m., about 2,600 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
- Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for more than 20,000 customers.
Update: 12.22.22, 1 p.m.
Winter Storm Elliott has entered our area and is expected to bring rain, wintry precipitation, heavy winds, and plummeting temperatures through Saturday. With a storm of this magnitude, we are expecting power outages. We want you to know that we’re ready to respond.
We have more than 2,000 employees from our own team and peer utilities prepared to support our restoration efforts. We’ll work as safely and quickly as possible to assess damage and restore power to all customers who are impacted.
We’ll be posting updates on this page throughout the storm. If you need to report an outage, check estimated restoration times, or adjust your alert preferences, click here.
While we’ve prepared for possible outages, we want you to be prepared too:
- Charge your cell phones, portable chargers, and other electronic devices so they’re ready to use in case of an emergency.
- Prepare or update your emergency kit with food, water, medication, and pet supplies.
- Double check your flashlights for batteries.
- If you have a portable generator, test it to make sure it’s working, but don’t operate in an enclosed area, like a garage, where carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
- Assume any downed power line is energized. Stay clear by at least 100 feet and keep kids and pets away. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately by calling 1-800-342-5775.
Jul 14, 2022 | Customer Service
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Go paperless for these great benefits and more:
- Safeguard your personal info and prevent identity theft with an online profile at pplelectric.com
- Set up bill due reminder alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts, so you never miss a payment
- Pay your bill within a few clicks on our secure website
- View, download, and print one year of bills anytime
- Avoid paperwork, envelopes, checks, and stamps
Make the switch to paperless billing today.
Jul 11, 2022 | Community Involvement
Firefighters face many dangers – not the least of which are electrical hazards – while battling fires and working to keep others safe.
So when the Scranton Fire Department had the chance to learn from PPL Electric Utilities how to keep themselves and others safer around power lines and other electrical components, its members jumped at the opportunity.
Dan Hallowich, deputy chief of Scranton’s Bureau of Fire, said the lessons we provided with our Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit were “second to none.”
“More often than not, we have to rely on theoretical discussions and case study review to learn about electrical hazards,” Hallowich said. “This presentation was able to put theory into action for us. We were able to see, hear, and in some cases smell, the outcome of these hazards allowing the development of key sensory memories – which is key for split second decision making.”
“Without a doubt, the PPL Electric Live Line Safety Presentation has improved our knowledge and understanding of electrical hazards throughout the community resulting in a safer environment for our members.”
Our 7,200-volt exhibit features live electrical wires, utility poles and transformers. Using ladders, gloves, shovels and other tools in a controlled environment, trained PPL Electric staff wearing protective equipment recreate sparks, flames, smoke and crackling that occurs when those items, as well as tree branches and mylar balloons, contact live electrical lines. We also discuss the importance of calling 811 before digging.
To date, we’ve reached more than 55,000 people with nearly 600 demonstrations since 2016. And more than 50 electrical safety demonstrations have been scheduled for fire departments, municipalities, safety events and fairs across our 29-county service territory during 2022. We’ll once again be doing daily demonstrations at the Bloomsburg Fair, which takes place from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1.
If your organization is interested in a demonstration, please contact Doug Haupt at dlhaupt@pplweb.com or 610-297-2461. Available dates for 2022 are limited, but 2023 bookings have begun. There are several requirements for the demonstrations: an audience of at least 50 people is required; we need an area suitable to accommodate the exhibit; and the host organization is asked to invite nearby first responder organizations.
For more information about how we keep our communities safe, visit pplelectric.com/safety.
Jul 11, 2022 | Storms and Outages
No matter what kind of weather passes through our region, we’ll be prepared.
Here’s how you can stay safe and prepare for all types of storms:
- Regularly check local news, radio, or your mobile device for information about storm watches or warnings in your area.
- Keep supplies in an emergency preparedness kit. Include water bottles, non-perishable food, blankets, first-aid supplies, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
- Make sure your yard is free of heavy debris that could be tossed around in the wind. Trim trees to prevent limbs from falling on your house.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are capable of destroying homes, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air.
- Choose a safe area in your home where you and your family can gather if a tornado warning is issued. This area should be in the basement or a room with no windows and on the lowest level of your home.
- Conduct routine tornado drills with the entire family so everyone knows where to go and what to do if a tornado is approaching.
- Watch for signs of a tornado: a dark-colored sky, low-lying clouds, large hail, or a loud roar.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are violent storms that often cause property damage and life-threatening hazards, such as high winds and flooding.
- Create an evacuation plan and practice it ahead of time to avoid confusion during the event.
- Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters.
Thunderstorms
Lightning kills more people every year than tornadoes and hurricanes. Rain and heavy winds can cause flooding, damage to homes, and widespread power outages.
- If a thunderstorm appears likely, postpone all outdoor activities.
- If a thunderstorm watch or warning is issued, take shelter in your home or other building.
- Shutter all windows and close exterior doors securely.
Floods
Flash flooding can be among the most damaging and costly of all natural disasters.
- If you live in a flood-prone area, keep sandbags, plywood, and plastic sheeting on hand.
- Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
Power outages
Although we work hard to maintain reliable electric service, a storm may lead to a power outage. You can report or check the status of an outage at pplelectric.com/outage or by texting “OUTAGE” to TXTPPL (898775).
Source: Questline
May 27, 2022 | Customer Service
Paperless billing is secure, convenient, and good for the environment. It also saves you time and money. And with the schedule changes that often come with summer, we can all use a little more of that!
With summer vacations and out-of-town visits to friends and family, you’ll never have to worry about receiving a late bill. With paperless billing, you’ll receive an email as soon as your bill is issued, and you can view it online in a few simple clicks. You can even save your banking information on our secure site to make paying your bill a breeze.
And if you’re not 100% convinced, you can switch back to a paper bill at any time, but we think you’ll love how easy it is to view and pay your bill online.
Visit pplelectric.com/paperless today and give paperless billing a try.
