Aug 8, 2019 | Reliability
Ever see a line of silver towers in a rural field? Or, maybe steel poles lining the road? Those are transmission lines, and you likely don’t give them much thought as you pass by in your car.
But those transmission lines are crucial to most everything you do at home and work. They’re the backbone of our electric grid.
In fact, the transmission system is becoming even more important with the increased use of renewable energy, like solar and wind. Transmission lines are needed to get the new cleaner power from where it’s generated to the population centers that will be using it. A strong transmission grid also helps keep electricity reliable.
At PPL Electric Utilities, we take reliability seriously. Beginning in 2013, we used data to make focused upgrades and get ahead of potential future problems. We started building new lines and substations, replacing aging equipment and changing out wooden poles with stronger steel poles. We’re also adding more lightning protection and using new technology to help shorten outages.
The results for our customers are big.
From 2013-2019, we’ve reduced transmission outages by 79 percent and we’ve cut outages caused from lightning by 77 percent. Our transmission system is more resistant to most severe storms and we’re better equipped to handle potential cyber or physical attacks against our grid.
So, the next time you drive by a transmission line, take comfort knowing that we’re always working to provide you with sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity, now and into the future.
Jun 28, 2019 | Environment
A single grain of pollen is invisible to the human eye, but the role it plays in our world is seen by everyone.
Much of what we eat would not be possible without pollen, or pollinators, the insects that help transport pollen between flowers. About three quarters of our major food crops require pollinators, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At PPL Electric Utilities, we manage more than 50,000 acres of right-of-way easements under our power lines and that gives us a unique opportunity to help provide pollinator-friendly habitat. We’re currently conducting research to develop a cost-effective seed mix of native, pollinator-friendly plants that can be used during restoration of transmission line and substation projects.
In addition to providing an ideal habitat for pollinators, the right mix of native plantings would save costs by potentially requiring less vegetation management and treatment. The final seed mix that is selected will be used whenever land is disturbed either for building new power lines or maintaining existing ones.
According to the USDA, some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects.
With numbers like that, we know helping pollinators thrive is a worthy cause.
Jun 12, 2016 | Energy Efficiency
Our bags are packed, the calendar is marked and it’s FINALLY time for vacation! There’s nothing better than kicking back, relaxing and spending quality time with family and friends. But before we go, there are a few teensy-weensy energy-saving tasks I’ll need to check off the to-do list.
In all the hustle and bustle of the days leading up to vacation, things can get downright hectic. With all the commotion, it’s easy to forget to give the house a little TLC in preparation of our absence. Making sure it’s safe and secure is at the top of the list, but there are a few other tasks that we do to help save electricity while we’re gone.
Prepping the house is quick and easy. Just a few simple steps will help keep it from using – or wasting – energy while we’re away.
Four Easy Steps to Lower Energy Use While Traveling
- Adjust the thermostat. Why waste energy cooling the house while we’re not there. During our summer vacation, we either turn the A/C off or set the thermostat to 85-87 degrees. We don’t have any plants or pets staying behind but if you do, you’ll want to set it to your preference to keep them safe and cool.
- Turn off all fans. We use fans often in our home, especially upstairs where it is always a bit warmer. We turn them off or unplug them when we leave. Remember—fans cool people, not rooms.
- Close the curtains and shades. Even though we’ve already bumped up the thermostat, blocking out the sun will keep the house at a more consistent temperature and that means the HVAC will have even less work to do.
- Unplug the electronics. Many of the electronics in our home still use small amounts of power, even when they’re turned off. I make my rounds to ensure computers, TVs, game systems, coffee makers, microwaves and other electronics are unplugged before we head out the door.
When I’m feeling ambitious, I take a few extra steps for Maximum Efficiency
- Clean out the refrigerator. This one isn’t always doable, but if we’ve managed to clear out the fridge and freezer in the weeks leading up to our vacation we unplug it. If you’re able to do the same, just remember to leave the doors open to prevent mildew.
- Adjust the water heater. Who needs to pay to heat water when you aren’t home to use it? We always set the water heater to “vacation” or “pilot” mode. If this option isn’t available you can simply turn down the temperature. Having readily available hot water on tap can account for up to 25 percent of the energy used in your home.
- Use automated timers. It’s a good idea to have a few lights on at night to make the house appear occupied while we’re away. But it’s a better idea to put a few lights on timers so that they aren’t wasting electricity during the day. We have installed motion-activated lights outside. These lights turn on when there is movement near your home.
- Use an automatic timer for the pool. If you have a pool, putting the filter on a timer is a simple thing to do. Be sure proper chemical levels are maintained since the two go hand-in-hand.
That’s it. Easy, breezy and we’re out the door.
May 13, 2015 | Safety and Security
Would you know what to do if you received a phone call telling you that your electricity would be shut off if you did not pay immediately with a prepaid card?
Scam artists nationwide continue to target electric utility customers by threatening to shut off their service based on false claims of overdue bills.
In the past, we’ve received complaints from both business and residential customers about callers claiming to be from the utility. The scammers falsely claim that the customers are behind on their bills. They demand an immediate payment by way of a pre-paid debit card for the customer to avoid having service disconnected.
How can you avoid these scams?
- Be informed about your account. You can check their account balances by logging on to pplelectric.com with your computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also call PPL Electric Utilities for your account balance at 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775).
- Know your payment options. Be guarded about anyone who requests immediate payment by phone. We accept payment online, by traditional mail, at payment centers and through the use of credit or debit cards.
- Check with us. If you have any doubts about a caller claiming to represent PPL Electric Utilities, or about information given to you, hang up and call us 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775) for verification. If things don’t check out, you should call your local police department.
- Know when we’d visit your home. Most visits to customer homes by us or our contractors are prearranged by the customer or through a call to the customer. If someone claiming to be from PPL Electric Utilities comes to your door, ask for proper identification that all of our employees and contractors carry. Most service employees also wear company uniforms and drive company vehicles.
Remember: If you have any doubts about whether someone is representing PPL Electric Utilities, you can always contact us for verification.
May 7, 2015 | Energy Efficiency
Mother’s Day is this weekend. We’ve included 127 ways you can recharge your Mother’s Day menu to show mom how much you care on her special day and every day! Mom likely hasn’t tried these for herself, and they’re delicious and easy to make. Our favorite part? These recipes are energy-efficient and require minimal cleanup.
Let mom sleep in to wake up to a wonderful brunch, or give her a delicious dinner that will wow her. Not the best cook? Not a problem. Go unconventional. Give the stove and oven a rest. Try no-cook recipes and use smaller, more efficient appliances, like slow cookers, microwaves or even your grill, to use less electricity and save time.
Wondering exactly what to make? From appetizers and entrees to dessert this list has you covered and mom is sure to be impressed.
Still looking for the perfect recipe? Check out our Pinterest boards.
Don’t forget that these unconventional cooking methods typically require minimal cleanup, and that’s music to any mom’s ears — or yours in this case. You’ll save energy by not using the stove and oven AND by not having to use hot water to wash pots and pans.
What are your plans for mom this year? #Mom #HappyMothersDay #herestoyoumom
