Mar 25, 2022 | Safety and Security
Are you planting any trees or shrubs this spring? If so, are you planning to call 811 before you start digging?
If you think a hole being dug for trees or plants isn’t enough to make the free 811 call, you may be wrong.
Some utilities could be buried inches below ground. And, unfortunately, about one in five people who dig don’t call 811 because they think their project isn’t deep enough for the call, according to Common Ground Alliance, a North American organization dedicating to preventing damage to underground utilities.
An 811 call is free for homeowners excavating on their residential property.
The law requires an 811 call before digging with power equipment, including backhoes, excavators, post hole diggers, and trenchers.
But it’s best to play it safe with any digging project by making the 811 call. Once placing the call, a crew will come out to the dig site to look for potential underground utilities and mark them with paint.
Here’s the information you will need when calling 811:
- The county and municipality in which the planned dig is located.
- The street name and address.
- The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.
- Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done.
- When the project is scheduled to take place.
If you hire a contractor to do the excavation for you, they are required to call 811 themselves.
Stay safe this spring and call before you dig.
For more info, visit the Pennsylvania 811 website at pa1call.org.
Mar 25, 2022 | Safety and Security
If you do any kind of excavation work as part of a business or at home, you won’t want to miss PA Safety Days events that Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., is hosting across the state this year, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Beginning with Eastern Safety Day at Agri-Plex’s Bill Harris Agricultural Hall, 302 North 17th Street in Allentown on May 17, 2022, the free events provide a chance for excavation professionals, public officials, and others to learn about safe digging practices and promote the protection of critical underground utilities.
We are a proud sponsor of these free events, which have drawn an estimated 28,000 people since 2006.
You can register and learn more about the following events online at pa1call.org/SafetyDay.
- May 17: Agri-Plex’s Bill Harris Agricultural Hall, Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N. 17th St., Allentown, PA.
- May 19: Drexelbrook Conference Center, 4700 Drexelbrook Dr., Drexel Hill, PA.
- June 7: Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA.
- June 16: York Expo Center, Mid-Atlantic Industrial East and West, 334 Carlisle Ave., York, PA.
- August 11: Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
- Sept. 20: Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA.
- Sept. 22: Blair Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Dr., Altoona, PA.
The Safety Day conferences provide valuable training, networking, knowledge transfer, and continuing education, while featuring hands-on demonstrations and an opportunity for participants to learn about the latest safety practices, tools, and techniques.
Attendees typically include excavators, designers, public utilities, facility owners, project owners, municipal leaders, sewer and water authorities, public officials, emergency responders, locators, damage prevention associates, excavation professionals and homeowners.
Each host venue will follow cleaning protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Remember to contact Pennsylvania 811 a minimum of three days before you plan to dig. To learn more, please visit Pennsylvania 811 website at pa1call.org.
Mar 10, 2022 | Safety and Security
We’re joining the Federal Trade Commission to recognize National Consumer Protection Week and the continuing efforts to educate customers on scams.
We’re helping to work across the industry with our fellow utility partners, regulators, and law enforcement to stop scams for good. The bottom line is we have your back.
National Consumer Protection Week is a chance to raise awareness on this important issue.
When it comes to potential scam activity, be aware of these tactics:
- Threats to immediately shut-off your service
- Requests for payment with a prepaid card or digital payment app
- Spam emails with lookalike logos or trademarks
- Caller ID displaying our phone number, but the caller sounds suspicious
If a marketer calls or knocks at your door, remember:
- We do not market or sell supplier services by phone or door-to-door. If the solicitor claims to represent PPL, check your online account or call us directly before providing any personal info.
- Don’t always trust caller ID. Scammers can make it look like PPL is calling. If you suspect the caller might not really be PPL, hang up.
- Update your PPL account with a security PIN or password and never give it to anyone who calls you. We will ask for your PIN and password when you call us to make sure it’s really you.
- And if you’re interested in shopping for an electricity supplier, you can find all the info you need on our secure website: pplelectric.com/shopsmart.
Let’s spread the word about scams so we can stop them for good!
Mar 7, 2022 | Community Involvement
In addition to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity, we’re committed to empowering our communities through various initiatives and investments, such as our annual United Way campaign.
PPL Corporation’s 2021 campaign, which included contributions from PPL Electric employees and retirees, raised more than $5 million for United Way agencies.
In the Central Susquehanna region, we contributed more than $62,000. And Adrienne Mael, President and CEO of the United Way of Columbia and Montour County and Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, was especially grateful.
“Over the years, PPL Electric Utilities has been incredibly proactive in reaching out to help address the areas of greatest need for our local community,” Mael said. “From sending volunteers into the community, providing support through the COVID-19 pandemic, and serving on committees to help guide our priorities for impact, PPL Electric is always there. They are part of the solution to meeting our community’s greatest needs.”
Our Northeast region, which includes Lackawanna and Wayne counties, saw agencies receive more than $36,000 in donations.
In the Lancaster area, two United Way agencies received more than $42,000 in support.
And, our Lehigh region, received more than $2.3 million in donations to five different agencies.
With United Way, we can trust our contributions will be used to improve the quality of life for our neighbors across Pennsylvania. We’re proud to support this critical mission.
Feb 25, 2022 | Bill Help
If you’re struggling to pay or even facing a shut-off, we have programs and payment agreements to help you catch up.
Programs for income-eligible customers
LIHEAP: Apply for free federal grants to help with your home heating bills and emergencies.
OnTrack: Get a lower fixed monthly payment. If you have a past-due balance, you’ll also receive debt forgiveness.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): If you rent your home and your income was impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for free grants to help with your rent and utility bills. Many of our customers have already taken advantage of this federal program. In fact, PPL Electric customers have claimed more than $6 million in ERAP funds so far, and there are still millions of dollars remaining in the program.
Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF): If you own a home and can show that your income has gone down or your living expenses have gone up as a result of the pandemic, you may be eligible for free money to help with your mortgage and utility bills.
Operation HELP: Apply for a cash grant to help with home heating bills.
CARES: If you’re experiencing a temporary hardship, such as illness or injury, you may qualify for protection from shut-off.
WRAP: See if you qualify for free energy efficiency products to help save energy and money.
Programs for all customers
Payment agreements: We can set you up with an agreement to pay down your bill over time.
Budget billing: We’ll average your electric use over the entire year so your bill amount will be more predictable.
Not sure where to start?
Sign into your online profile at pplelectric.com and click “Get Help Paying.” We’ll ask you a few questions about your household and financial information and recommend the programs that will benefit your family most.
