Starting today (2/3), Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. bills have a new look.

The Allentown-based utility has made significant format changes, which meet the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's "Plain Language" guidelines for customer communications.

"Our new bill format is part of a continuing effort to improve service to customers," said John R. Menichini, PP&L's vice president- Customer Services. "We talked with groups of customers from across Central Eastern Pennsylvania to find out what they liked and disliked about the appearance of PP&L's bill and the information presented on it. Their comments made an important contribution to the redesign effort."

PP&L is phasing-in the redesigned bill. Most of the company's 1.2 million customers will get the new format this month. The rest will get the new bill in May. PP&L is including information in all bills mailed this month describing the key differences in the new format and the reasons for the change.

"The timing was right for a change at this time," explained Menichini. "In addition to making changes that meet 'Plain Language' guidelines, we were looking to improve payment processing efficiency. We also were planning to replace aging equipment that prints, stuffs and mails bills and customer letters."

PP&L's new bill format has larger type and clearly defined sections. The total amount due is highlighted. Terms are explained in easy-to-understand language, with no abbreviations.

In addition, the new bill will speed payment processing and enable PP&L to take advantage of bar coding postal discounts.

Menichini said the company is inviting customers to comment on the new format by calling PP&L's toll-free number 1-800-342-5775 (1-800-DIAL PPL).