With snow and ice in the local weather forecast for Thursday (1/15), PP&L, Inc., is ready to respond to any power outages the storm might cause.

PP&L is prepared to meet the needs of its 1.2 million electric delivery service customers, despite having 185 linemen and support personnel involved in the massive recovery effort in New York State following last week's icestorm.

"We have sufficient line crews remaining in eastern and central Pennsylvania to handle our normal work," said Robert M. Geneczko, PP&L vice president for Power Delivery. "And, knowing how uncertain winter weather can be in our area, we have made arrangements with nearby utilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware to send us extra help if we need it because of weather-related damage."

PP&L also is ready to help other regional electric utilities if they are affected by Thursday's storm and damage in PP&L's service area is relatively light.

PP&L is continuing its commitment of support to Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., which is working to rebuild power lines destroyed by last week's devastating ice storm.

PP&L employees from across its 29-county service area have been working in the Watertown and Potsdam areas of northern New York since Jan. 9. More than 80,000 Niagara Mohawk customers are without electric service as a result of the ice storm, and for many residents of that area the service restoration may take several more weeks.

"We are willing to help other utilities in an emergency. In fact, PP&L was one of the first utilities to respond to the call for help from our northern neighbors after the extent of the damage became known," Geneczko said.

"We understand that our first priority is meeting the needs of PP&L's customers. With the crews remaining in the area and the measures we have taken to arrange for outside help we will be able to respond to weather-related problems from the approaching storm," he added.

Weather forecasts call for a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain across eastern and central Pennsylvania Thursday and Friday.

Freezing rain and ice are the most damaging forms of winter weather for PP&L power lines and electrical equipment. Ice builds up on tree limbs, causing them to fall into power lines. Ice also can build up on the lines themselves, leading to power outages.

PP&L customers can report power outages 24 hours a day by calling the company's toll-free customer service number, 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIALPPL).

PP&L customers participating in Pennsylvania's customer choice pilot program should call PP&L to report power outages no matter which company they have selected as their energy supplier.