As many as 1,700 businesses in the Erie area have the opportunity to save money on their electric bills, now that the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry in picking PP&L EnergyPlus as the preferred electricity supplier for its members.

The benefits for businesses include attractive pricing on their electricity purchases through the collective buying clout of the Erie Chamber of Commerce and the Pennsylvania Chamber.

The agreement also simplifies electric choice for eligible businesses by bringing attractive benefits under the umbrella of the PP&L EnergyPlus POWERFUL Partners ^SM program -- which is designed especially for business groups and associations.

Eligible businesses will get a price guarantee and an annual rebate on their electricity purchases. And, they'll be dealing with PP&L EnergyPlus, a company that understands their needs. PP∓L, Inc. has been offering competitive energy prices in central and eastern Pennsylvania for nearly 80 years. As a subsidiary of PP&L, Inc., PP&L EnergyPlus is branching out -- making lower-priced energy and superior service available throughout the state.

"We're pleased that the Erie Chamber has chosen PP&L EnergyPlus as the best company to supply their members' energy needs," said Larry De Simone, PP&L EnergyPlus president. "PP&L, Inc. has a long history of giving businesses the prices and service they need to be competitive in today's difficult business environment. PP&L EnergyPlus is pleased to carry forward this tradition."

"Working with the Pennsylvania Chamber, we're happy to be able to offer the PP&L EnergyPlus POWERFUL Partners ^SM program to our member businesses," said Benjamin E. Carter, president of the Erie Area Chamber. "After shopping around, it became clear to us that PP&L EnergyPlus has the best combination of competitive price and ability to make deregulation work for our members."

In similar agreements, the Schuylkill Area Chamber of Commerce selected PP&L EnergyPlus as the preferred supplier for its 1,000 memer businesses in Pottsville and Schuylkill counties, and the Hazleton Area Chamber of Commerce recommended PP&L EnergyPlus to its 700 member businesses.

PP&L EnergyPlus is not the same company as PP&L, Inc., the electric distribution company. PP&L EnergyPlus prices are not regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. You do not have to buy electricity or other products from PP&L EnergyPlus to receive the same quality service from PP&L, Inc.