PP&L, Inc., expects to have enough power to meet the needs of its customers despite oppressively hot late spring weather and the unexpected shutdown of one of its largest generating units Tuesday afternoon (6/8).

Officials at the company's Susquehanna nuclear plant reported that a transformer problem on the non-nuclear side of the plant at 12:08 p.m. Tuesday caused the shutdown of a turbine, which, in turn, caused the Unit 2 reactor to shut down automatically, as it is designed to do.

"PP&L plant and system technicians are investigating the cause of the transformer problem and are working to get Unit 2 back on line as soon as possible," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, special assistant to the president for PP&L, Inc.

Because of the hot weather, PP&L, Inc., is asking its 1.3 million customers to use electricity wisely.

At 10 a.m. — about two hours before the Susquehanna unit shut down — PP&L, Inc. asked a group of about 80 large industrial customers to curtail their use of electricity for the rest of the day, based on the provisions of the company's interruptible service rate.

These customers have special contracts with PP&L, Inc., that enable them to buy power at a lower price in exchange for agreeing to temporary interruptions of their electric service when needed.

PP&L, Inc., has not interrupted electric service to any other customers, said William H. Whitehead, manager of Transmission & Distribution Operations for PP&L, Inc.

"Customers can help by shifting the use of major electric appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and electric stoves, to early morning or evening hours," Whitehead said.

"Above all, the primary concern of customers during this heat wave should be their health and safety," he added. "People should use the electricity they need to prevent heat-related health problems."

Other measures customers may take to conserve electricity are:

• Place the air conditioner temperature setting on 80 degrees.
• Limit opening of refrigerators or freezers.
• Turn off appliances you don't need and as many lights as possible.
• Block out daytime sun with drapes and shades to help keep the home cool.

PP&L, Inc., generates power, provides electric delivery services to customers in Pennsylvania and trades or markets wholesale energy in the United States and Canada.

The Susquehanna plant, jointly owned by PP&L, Inc., and Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., is located about five miles northeast of Berwick, Pa., along Route 11.