While working to sell electricity to new Pennsylvania customers on the retail level, PP&L EnergyPlus also has been building up another major segment of its energy business — wholesale power marketing around the country.

PP&L EnergyPlus now sells power in 18 states, and has grown to be one of the top 20 power wholesalers in the country. The current marketing area stretches from New England to North Carolina, and from the East Coast to the Mississippi River.

PP&L EnergyPlus manages its wholesale business from an energy marketing center in Allentown, Pa. On the trading floor of the new, high-tech facility, traders work around-the-clock to monitor market conditions and buy and sell energy.

"Wholesale power marketing is a key part of our plan to be a major regional energy supplier over the long term," said Mike Steffes, vice president for Energy Marketing and Trading. The term "wholesale" refers to the sale of large blocks of electric power sold from one utility to another.

"If we can make money by selling electricity that we don't need for our customers — or by buying power when that is cheaper than generating it ourselves — that helps us keep our retail prices down," Steffes said. Easy access to the wholesale electricity market helps ensure a reliable electricity supply for PP&L EnergyPlus customers, Steffes added, because it allows PP&L to purchase extra power during times when customer demand is extremely high.

Through the energy marketing center, PP&L EnergyPlus also is in the business of supplying the complete energy needs of large customers — including electricity, natural gas, heating oil and other fuels.

"We're committed to electric customer choice over the long term," said Steffes, "and our energy marketing center is a key part of that commitment. Wholesale power is a growing business for us — one that will benefit our customers and our shareowners."