Powering the holiday season

Powering the holiday season

With the end of the 2025 calendar comes the end of the holiday season, a time filled with family, community and joy. 

Throughout the year, and throughout the holidays, it’s the moments along the way — big and small — that fuel our passion to deliver safe and reliable power.  

This holiday season has been a busy one for us in our communities, and we are grateful to have been able to take part in a few big events that bring joy and warmth to us all. 

Lighting up the holiday in Allentown 

 

There are few symbols more iconic during the season than the holiday tree. Our team had a blast taking part in downtown Allentown’s annual tree lighting ceremony in early December. From driving into Allentown’s ArtsPark in our decorated bucket truck to turning on the tree with the wave of a candy cane wand, the event featured everything that makes this time of year special. 

Oh, and we forgot to mention Santa! We were even able to pull the big man in red away from his duties at the North Pole to take part in the festivities. 

 

 

Setting the tree in Lancaster 

 

You can’t light a tree if there isn’t a tree to light! That’s where we helped in LancasterTo prepare the city for its lighting ceremony, our crews arrived at a home in nearby Millersville to pick up the annual holiday tree. The tree was then delivered to Penn Square in downtown Lancaster, where our crews used their equipment to safely set the tree for all to enjoy. 

 

 

 

The gift of giving in Williamsport

 

 

Most recently, a team of PPL Electric volunteers around Williamsport headed to the local Salvation Army as part of its Red Kettle Campaign. Our volunteers helped local families pick out gifts for their loved ones and helped deliver the gifts and food items to residents’ vehicles and homes 

 

 

 

These are events we take part in every year to help make our communities a little brighter during the holiday season. And while we always look forward to helping lend a hand this time of year, we also look forward to helping power the little moments of magic that happen throughout the year. 

PPL Electric Utilities wishes you all a safe and joyous end to your holiday season, and we look forward to delivering for you in 2026. 

Wind storm restoration update

Wind storm restoration update

Sunday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

Restoration efforts continue following the strong winds that swept across our territory this weeekend.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, 105,000 customers have had service restored since the beginning of the storm, and crews have made repairs at over 1,000 individual job sites.  

 

A photo of a large, fallen tree that is leaning on wires.

All customers impacted by an outage as of 9 a.m. Sunday are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Sunday, though many customers will have power restored sooner. We’re continuing to assess remaining damage and will narrow down estimated restoration times as crews make repairs. We want to assure you that we still have hundreds of crews out in force, including from outside our service territory to help get the lights back on. 

 

 

We will all continue to work diligently around the clock until every customer’s lights are back on. 

Stay connected: 

  • Report power outages online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775). 
  • Stay informed by downloading our new mobile app, where you can easily report and track outages. The app is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Stay safe: 

  • Remember, should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume its energized and stay away. Report downed wires to PPL Electric or local emergency response agencies. 
  • Never operate a portable generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate. 
  • Always use flashlights instead of candles as they can start fires. 
  • Turn off appliances that were on when the power went off. 
  • Create alternate plans if you have a medical condition that relies on electricity or call 9-1-1 for assistance. 
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period. 
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews. 

Stay warm: 

  • Keep warm air in by using your doors as infrequently as possible, and close off unoccupied rooms. 
  • Close blinds to keep warm air in. 

 

 

Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.

Our crews continue to work tirelessly to restore power to all customers after sustained strong winds caused outages across our service territory 

As of 8:30 a.m. Saturday, almost 86,000 customers have been restored since the storm began. There have been over 1,300 individual locations of damage on our system. 

 

A photo of a fallen tree leaning on equipment.

 

Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could continue through the weekend, though many customers will have their service restored sooner. We know how difficult it is to be without power. We still have hundreds of field-based and back-office emergency response personnel working as safely and as quickly as possible. We have also brought in additional crews to help in our restoration efforts. 

 

 

We understand how important accurate estimated restoration times (ERTs) are, and we are doing our best to provide accurate information as soon as possible. All customers experiencing an outage have been assigned an ERT. Our teams are continuing to assess remaining damage and will narrow down these ERTs as crews arrive to make repairs. We encourage you to visit our outage map for updated information on estimated restoration times: pplelectric.com/outage. 

Our teams will not stop until every customer’s lights are back on. 

Stay connected: 

  • Report power outages online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775). 
  • Stay informed by downloading our new mobile app, where you can easily report and track outages. The app is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Stay safe: 

  • Remember, should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume its energized and stay away. Report downed wires to PPL Electric or local emergency response agencies. 
  • Never operate a portable generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate. 
  • Always use flashlights instead of candles as they can start fires. 
  • Turn off appliances that were on when the power went off. 
  • Create alternate plans if you have a medical condition that relies on electricity or call 9-1-1 for assistance. 
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period. 
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews. 

Stay warm: 

  • Keep warm air in by using your doors as infrequently as possible, and close off unoccupied rooms. 
  • Close blinds to keep warm air in. 

 

 

Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. 

Sustained strong winds continue to impact our service territory. We expect gusty conditions through the overnight hours could lead to additional outages. 

Since the start of the windstorm early Thursday morning, more than 81,000 of our 1.5 million customers have experienced a power outage, and there have been almost 1000 individual locations of damage on our system.

  

A photo of a utility pole leaning as a result of high sustained winds.

 

Our crews continue to work as safely and efficiently as possible to repair extensive damage like broken poles and equipment, downed trees and limbs, and downed wires. Over 40,000 customers have been restored so far, and we are working around the clock to restore service to all customers.  

 

 

 

A photo of a windblown tree leaning on wires and a utility pole.

Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could continue through the weekend. We know how difficult it is to be without power. We have hundreds of personnel responding to the storm, providing both field-based and back-office emergency response operations across our 29-county service territory. This includes lineworkers, foresters, damage assessors and call center staff. We want to again assure you that our crews will not stop until every customer’s lights are back on.

 

 

Stay connected: 

  • Report power outages online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775). 
  • Stay informed by downloading our new mobile app, where you can easily report and track outages. The app is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play. 

Stay safe: 

  • Remember, should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume its energized and stay away. Report downed wires to PPL Electric or local emergency response agencies. 
  • Never operate a portable generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate. 
  • Always use flashlights instead of candles as they can start fires. 
  • Turn off appliances that were on when the power went off. 
  • Create alternate plans if you have a medical condition that relies on electricity or call 9-1-1 for assistance. 
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period. 
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews. 

Stay warm: 

  • Keep warm air in by using your doors as infrequently as possible, and close off unoccupied rooms. 
  • Close blinds to keep warm air in. 

Follow this blog for updates on restoration or visit pplelectric.com/outage. 

Cold weather season has arrived. Here’s how you can stay ready.

Cold weather season has arrived. Here’s how you can stay ready.

As the holiday season takes hold, a polar vortex — a large area of low pressure and cold air — is also settling in across our territory. This kicks off the cold weather season, with the official start of winter quickly approaching. 

Colder temperatures can cause higher demand for electricity. We work year-round to maintain and improve our infrastructure, and we will be ready to serve our customers regardless of the conditions.  

We always encourage our customers to be ready for any severe weather, especially during cold temperatures. If you haven’t prepared for these next few months, the best time to prepare is now. 

Here are some ways you can stay safe and, when appropriate, save energy. 

Safety first 

We encourage customers to sign up for alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can customize these alerts based on your preferences. If an outage occurs, you can get alerts and updates at pplelectric.com/outage. We also encourage signing up for local emergency alerts and staying tuned to weather forecasts throughout the season. 

  • Prepare an emergency kit: Your kit should include non-perishable food, water, medication, first-aid supplies and any pet supplies you may need. Be sure to include batteries and battery-operated flashlights. Store your kit in one location, preferably in an airtight container.  
  • Space heaters: Use space heaters sparingly, and only when needed. Do not plug into extension cords or power strips. Leave plenty of space between your heater and any nearby objects and keep them on a level surface away from flammable objects and walking paths. Don’t leave unattended or use while sleeping. 
  • Electric blankets and heating pads: Make sure to inspect these devices before each use to ensure there is no damage. Do not place other objects or blankets on top of electric blankets while in use. Do not tuck an electric blanket into the mattress and never leave these devices unattended or use them while you are sleeping. 
  • Generators: If you must use a generator, read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and pay attention to any warnings. This includes making sure you use the proper fuel for the generator and only add fuel when the generator is cool. Make sure to inspect the generator before each use to ensure it’s in good, working order. Your generator should never be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home or business. Keep away from windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to sneak inside and make sure your home has working battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors. 

In the event of an outage: 

  • Avoid using candles for lighting because they can start fires. Use flashlights instead. 
  • Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible. 
  • Do not use gas ovens or ranges to heat your home.  
  • Unplug sensitive home electronics. Turn off ovens and space heaters that may have been on when the outage occurred. 
  • In the event of an emergency during an outage, call 911. 

Energy-saving tips 

Even during extreme cold, you can still save energy and money with these tips: 

  • Cover drafty windows: Roll up a towel or blanket for the bottom of drafty exterior doors. If possible, add caulking or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. 
  • Let warm air flow: Make sure that rugs, drapes and furniture are not blocking airflow to and from heating registers, radiators or baseboard heaters. Rooms will have better circulation, and it will allow your system to work as intended, using less energy. 
  • Bundle up: Use extra blankets or wear extra clothes. You can save up to 1% in heating costs for every degree you dial back your thermostat, according to the Department of Energy. 
  • Mind your fireplace: Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Having the damper open is like having a window in your home wide open, as it allows warm air to escape through the chimney. 
  • Use nature’s heater: Allowing the sun to shine in through your windows during the day can keep your home warmer. When the sun goes down, be sure to close the drapes to reduce heat loss through windows. 
Deck the halls (safely): 8 tips for holiday decorating

Deck the halls (safely): 8 tips for holiday decorating

The holidays are a time for friends, family and appreciating all we have to be thankful for. 

And nothing shows you care more than keeping those you love most safe throughout the season, right? 

It can be a busy time of year, but don’t forget to make safety  especially electrical safety  a top priority when decorating your homeHere are 8 tips to keep your season merry, bright and safe.  

  • Check the halls before you deck the halls. Throw out any damaged light strands and replace them with LED bulbs. Check wall sockets, wires and connections to make sure they’re in good, working order. If you find a problem, contact a professional, certified electrician. 
  • Place decorations and trees at least three feet from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators and candles. If using candles, blow them out when you leave the room or go to sleep. 
  • Inspect your cords to make sure they’re marked for proper use. Use plastic or insulated clips to secure your cords. Avoid using nails, screws or tacks. Avoid running extension cords under rugs or in high traffic areas. 
  • If you have a natural tree, water it frequently to keep it fresh. The heat from incandescent bulbs can ignite a dry tree. If you have incandescent bulbs, consider switching to more energy-efficient LED bulbs. 
  • Be mindful of your electrical load. While some of us may enjoy big, beautiful and bright displays, overloading can cause fires. Follow manufacturer guidelines for how many sets of lights can be safely connected to your outlets and extension cords. 
  • When decorating outdoors, always carry ladders parallel to the ground and look up for power lines before setting up your ladder. 
  • Always hang your decorations during daylight hours.  
  • At night, make sure to turn your holiday lights and decorations off before leaving home and going to bed. 

Don’t let something preventable steal your holiday cheer. Whether you are just getting ready to decorate  or if you already have — keep these tips in mind to stay safe and merry this season. 

5 for ‘25: How we helped in our communities in 2025

5 for ‘25: How we helped in our communities in 2025

For more than a century, our dedicated team has stood by a simple belief: supporting our communities is both our responsibility and our privilege. We take pride in rolling up our sleeves and working together to empower our neighbors and create a brighter tomorrow. 

As we approach the end of 2025, here are 5 of our favorite events from this past year: 

 

With the holiday season in full swing, our work is not done; our employees will be busy in our communities and delivering safe, reliable power to light up the moments that matter most to your families.  

For more about our community involvement, visit pplelectric.com/community