Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has changed its policy for reconnecting electric service to customers who have had their power shut off because they did not pay their bill.

"When customers pay the amount required to have power restored, PP&L schedules the reconnection for the next business day," explained Robert H. Ballard, PP&L's revenue collection manager. "The company will make exceptions in cases of certified medical need."

If PP&L receives payment on Friday, the company will reconnect the customer's electric service on Monday.

"It is costly to readjust schedules and pull employees off planned jobs to do unscheduled work," Ballard said. "We are doing all we can to keep costs - and the price of electric service - low for all customers by scheduling jobs in advance."

The vast majority of PP&L customers pay their electricity bill on time every month. PP&L cuts power as a final option when customers consistently do not pay their bill.

PP&L has a number of programs to help customers who are truly unable to pay. Customers can find out if they qualify for assistance from those programs by calling PP&L toll-free at 1-800-DIAL PPL (1-800- 342-5775).