Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these projects needed?
This portion of Monroe County has seen an increase in development, which increases customer demand for electricity. To strengthen reliability and support an increasing number of customers, PPL Electric Utilities plans to upgrade its local electric delivery system in the area.

The projects in the Effort/Jonas/Sun Valley and Appenzell areas will reduce the potential for blackouts and improve the reliability of the electric service for you and your neighbors by helping us prevent prolonged power outages such as the one after the major ice storm in 2005, when people in the hardest hit areas were out of power for up to six days.

How will these projects affect the local environment?
PPL Electric Utilities works hard to do the right thing when building new substations and transmission line. We will work to minimize any long-term impacts to vegetation near and around the power lines and take the aesthetic concerns of nearby residents into consideration.

How were the routes for the power lines selected?
The sites for these facilities were selected after carefully studying the many technical, land-use and environmental factors involved in addition to the significant public feedback we received.

There is no perfect route for a power line and no perfect place for a substation. Selecting sites for these facilities – which we need to build to serve our customers – is a balance of many factors and we do our best to find locations that take all interests into consideration.

Should I be concerned about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)?
PPL takes a reasoned, prudent approach in responding to the EMF issue. PPL has a magnetic field management program to design and build new lines when practicable in ways that allow us to reduce magnetic fields at low cost to our customers.  Magnetic field measurements from this power line would be well within the range of levels normally found in homes due to residential wiring and appliances. And these readings – which we have calculated at the edge of the PPL Electric Utilities right of way (50 feet from the center of the line) – fall off as you get farther away from the line.

In addition, multiple scientific reviews by the World Health Organization, among others, have found no demonstrated cause and effect relationship between exposure to magnetic fields and cancer or other diseases.

Who will approve this project?
PPL Electric Utilities must file an application with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for permission to site and construct these facilities. We expect to file an application for PUC approval of the Effort Mountain project in the fall of 2009. An application for the Appenzell project will be filed in early 2010.

As part of the approval process, the PUC gives the public the opportunity to present their views on the project and participate in the process.

How can I provide my feedback on these projects?
To submit your questions or comments via e-mail, click here. You can also call our special toll free number, 1-800-293-8995.