Partnership Is First of Its Kind in the Nation

HARRISBURG, Pa.---The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today (9/17) announced the formation of an electricity purchasing alliance with PP&L, Inc. that is designed to offer substantial benefits to businesses across the Commonwealth.

"We are the first state chamber in the nation to offer this kind of service to our members — a service that potentially will save businesses $13 million a year on their electricity bills," said Pennsylvania Chamber President Floyd Warner. "Chamber members can expect a high level of customer service as well as competitive prices from a company with the experience of PP&L."

The alliance, called the PP&L EnergyPlus ChamberAdvantage Program, will be available to all 5,600 Pennsylvania Chamber members. Program participants will have direct access to a new Business Sales Center that is being established by PP&L EnergyPlus. This center will offer members competitive pricing plans and a PP&L Points Program for those businesses that register.

"We believe that this is precisely the kind of innovative-purchasing program that Gov. Tom Ridge had in mind when he hailed the introduction of competition into Pennsylvania's electricity system," said PP&L EnergyPlus Vice President John Sipics. "We are very pleased to join the Chamber in offering this program to its members."

Under legislation passed late last year, 5 percent of Pennsylvanians will have the chance to select the company that generates their electricity. That process begins next month under a pilot program. The phase in of customer choice officially begins in January 1999, when one-third of all customers will have the chance to choose their generation supplier.

The Pennsylvania Chamber will market the electricity purchase through its ChamberAdvantage Program. "Our members have been very enthusiastic about this program," said Warner. "Now, they will be able to achieve savings for their businesses as a result of their association with the Chamber."

"Chamber members participating in this program can expect to save money on their electric bill," said Sipics. "The alliance is an important component of EnergyPlus' plan to be a major supplier of electricity throughout Pennsylvania. Those who participate will be eligible for energy products and services through out PP&L Points Program."

PP&L's Points Program is designed to offer customers the opportunity to accumulate points for electricity they purchase, with the chance to "cash in" on those points for products, services or free electricity.

"This alliance is a win-win proposition for the Chamber and for PP&L," added Sipics. "Chamber members who want to take advantage of this program may enroll in the pilot through their local utility. Once they're enrolled, members will be contacted by the Chamber to sign up for the ChamberAdvantage Program."

The Pennsylvania Chamber is the second largest state chamber in the nation. The Chamber is the Commonwealth's biggest broad-based business association.

PP&L has served customers in 29 counties throughout eastern and central Pennsylvania for nearly eight decades and is expanding its services as deregulation comes to the electricity business.