Sep 22, 2022 | Community Involvement
Sometimes, we all need a little helping hand. That’s why we’re proud of our Operation HELP program.
For almost four decades, our Operation HELP program has helped more than 110,000 families struggling with their electric bills. The program, which provides grants to eligible families, is funded by generous contributions from our customers, employees and vendors.
On September 15, 2022, we hosted the 28th annual Operation HELP golf tournament at Olde Homestead Golf Club in New Tripoli and raised an additional $129,000 to support our customers. While Operation HELP, which was established in 1983, is primarily supported by donations from PPL Electric Utilities, its employees and customers, the annual golf tournament has become its largest fundraising event.
In addition to Operation HELP, we offer multiple bill assistance programs for eligible customers. These programs include: the OnTrack payment plan, budget billing, payment arrangements and even flexibility in choosing a bill due date. To find out more about how we can assist you with your bills, visit pplelectric.com/billhelp.
“We’re happy to host this annual event and raise funds for Operation HELP,” said Jaclyn Baldwin, regulatory programs manager. “This program is just one of the many ways we continue to assist our customers in their times of need. Operation HELP — along with other programs — help those who are behind on their energy bill and provide them with ways to catch up.”
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2022 golf tournament, and all who contribute to this vital program.
Winter is on its way. If your family can use a little helping hand, visit pplelectric.com/billhelp to learn more about Operation HELP and all of our payment assistance programs and plans.
Sep 21, 2022 | Community Involvement
For years, we’ve partnered with Northampton Community College (NCC) to train and place dozens of new lineworkers, who are now safely keeping your lights on.
In addition to helping build and kickstart the lineworker training program back in 2011, we’ve provided wooden poles, vehicles, and equipment so students can get the hands-on experience they need. Even the program’s six instructors are current or former PPL Electric Utilities lineworkers.
When a recent need for a program upgrade emerged, we stepped up again. This time we provided one of our digger derrick trucks so the latest class gets experience digging holes for and setting utility poles.
“It’s a high priority occupation and PPL Electric Utilities has been a fabulous partner,” said Lauren A. Loeffler, vice president of Workforce Development/Community Education. “And safety is a key focus of the program.”
The current group of 15 students will join more than 250 others, mainly from eastern and central Pennsylvania, who have completed the program and become line workers for power companies, cable companies, and other utilities.
In addition to the hands-on skills training, aspiring lineworkers receive training in employability skills, interview skills, and resume writing. This is a critical program because the industry has experienced a lineworker shortage in recent years.
After completing the 12-week pre-apprenticeship program at NCC, students are positioned to become trainees in the PPL Electric apprenticeship program.
Sep 1, 2022 | Community Involvement
Keeping power flowing is no easy job. Our lineworkers are safety focused, highly trained and dedicated. They have unique skills. And it never hurts to show off those skills, especially when it’s for a good cause.
This summer, PPL Electric employees competed in the 10th annual Lineman Rodeo, sponsored by the National Sisterhood United for Journeymen Lineman (NSUJL), in Hazleton. The two-day event raised funds for the families of fallen and injured IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) lineworkers and other electric distribution company employees.
Our team competed against other lineworkers in events designed to show their field skills. They took part in the Speed Climb, Hurtman Rescue, Obstacle Course, Three-Phase Transfer, Switch Changeout and other events.
When all was said and done, our lineworkers and their teams made us proud, placing in two events. Congratulations to all the participants!
Nov 19, 2021 | Environment
We’re committed to preserving the environment in everything we do. Whether our employees are in the office or out in the field, we’re always thinking of innovative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle common materials.
Every day, we receive numerous shipments of fragile materials that are wrapped in clear plastic to help keep the items secure. Thanks to our employees at the Lock Haven Service Center, who initiated a new program, we’re making sure that plastic is recycled.
Through this program, employees recycle plastic by placing it in large bins in their service center. As an incentive for collecting 500 pounds of recyclable materials, Trex®, a manufacturer of wood alternative products, will provide us with a Trex® bench that we’ll be donating to a local park!
Our goal is to collect enough plastic for a Trex® bench in a local park in every region of our service territory. To date, we have collected over 400 pounds of materials and expanded the program by placing bins in three other service centers in the Susquehanna region including Sunbury, Bloomsburg, and Montoursville.
Stay tuned for our progress!
Oct 29, 2021 | Community Involvement, Environment
From August through October, our Community Roots Program made its way across PA.
Our employees visited events, like baseball games, throughout our service territory, to deliver free plants and seeds to our customers. Their mission: spread the word about pollinators and how important it is to protect and preserve the environment we all love.
Along the way, they met a few plant enthusiasts, environmental champions, and captured some great moments.
Check them out!
In Williamsport, Chris Stamatedes, PPL Electric’s Regional Director of Operations, threw out the first pitch at the largest attended Crosscutters baseball game of the season!
We also visited one of the coolest spots in the area for First Friday- The Lancaster Science Factory.
And we couldn’t miss an Iron Pigs game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown!
We spent a beautiful sunny day at the Newfoundland Farmers Market and donated more than 250 mint plants to our friends in the Northeast region.
At the Forks Farmers Market in Orangeville our volunteers arrived in style with our electric vehicle. They spent the day talking with customers about how we plant pollinators in our right-of-way areas.
We passed through Schuylkill County and set up a booth at the Hometown Farmers Market. There, customers had the opportunity to package their own native pollinator seed mix to plant at their homes.
Did you pick up a mint plant or pollinator seeds at one of our recent events? Post pictures of your planted pollinators on Facebook. Tag PPL Electric Utilities, and use the hashtag: #MyPPLPollinatorPatch.
And if we missed you this season, don’t worry- we’ll be back! Follow us on social media for upcoming Community Roots pop-ups!
