PP&L, Inc. is sending a group of about 45 linemen and support personnel to the Pittsburgh area today (7/29) to help Duquesne Light restore service to customers affected by a severe thunderstorm that hit western Pennsylvania Wednesday afternoon.

About 50,000 Duquesne Light customers were without power this morning following the storm, which knocked down many poles and wires in the Pittsburgh area.

"We assist other utilities, when we can, in restoring service to their customers. In the same way, we are able to call for help when we need it in an emergency," said Robert M. Geneczko, vice president-Power Delivery for PP&L, Inc.

He added that PP&L makes sure that enough crews remain in the company's electric delivery service area to respond to the needs of its customers.

PP&L has restored service to about 20,000 of its customers who have been affected by power outages since Wednesday afternoon. Most of the outages occurred in the Lancaster area. As of noon Thursday, less than 100 PP&L customers were without power.

The PP&L crews going to Pittsburgh come from across the company's service area, including Allentown, Scranton, Hazleton, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Williamsport. They are expected to arrive in the Pittsburgh area tonight and return sometime this weekend.