With about 17 percent of its electric delivery service customers living below the federal poverty level, PP&L, Inc., believes it is important for the federal government to continue its energy assistance program.

Recently, a congressional subcommittee endorsed the idea of eliminating the federal government's $1 billion Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP).

"LIHEAP does a lot of good for needy families in eastern and central Pennsylvania," said John R. Menichini, vice president of Customer Services for PP&L, Inc. "The financial support they receive helps them keep warm and pay their energy bills."

In the first half of 1998, more than 8,600 PP&L, Inc., customers received $2.5 million in LIHEAP assistance, he noted.

PP&L, Inc., has its own family of universal service and energy conservation programs. The company's Operation HELP program is similar to LIHEAP in that it provides money for low-income customers to pay their energy bills.

Since PP&L, Inc., began Operation HELP in 1983, it has raised nearly $8 million and assisted 35,000 needy families. Funds for Operation HELP come from the company and from contributions by customers, employees and retirees.

PP&L, Inc., also offers free home weatherization and energy education services, a customer assistance program called On Track, and an outreach service for customers experiencing special hardships.

"We spend more than $7 million a year on programs for low-income customers, and we expect to double those expenditures by 2001," Menichini said.

"PP&L, Inc., has a history of support for needy customers. Our programs leverage LIHEAP funds to provide an even higher level of support to families that need it most," Menichini said. "We would like to see the federal government continue its commitment to energy assistance."