HARRISBURG, PA --- PPL Corp. today (4/27) announced a bold new initiative to promote environmental sensitivity wherever the company does business.

Its name: PPL Project Earth.

According to Lynn Ratzell, PPL's director of Environmental Management, PPL Project Earth will educate children about energy alternatives, work to improve the corporation's environmental performance, and offer recreational and environmental education opportunities for families from Maine, to Pennsylvania, to Montana.

"PPL has always been proud to say that we live where we work. We value a healthy environment and enjoy the outdoors just like everyone else. That is why we began PPL Project Earth," said Ratzell.

The announcement came as high school students from around the state hotly debated environmental issues of the day in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber. The students were participating in the Pennsylvania High School Energy debates.

The debates are co-sponsored by PPL Corp. and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Ratzell pointed to today's event as a good example of the positive impact PPL Project Earth will have in communities.

Six high school teams from around the state survived a preliminary environmental debate competition of 12 teams held on April 11 to advance to today's activity.

Department of Education Representative Patricia Vathis called the debates a great example of positive partnering between business and government.

"The Department of Education is very supportive of this partnership with PPL Project Earth," said Vathis. "The students benefit from an open discussion of important environmental issues, our communities benefit through a pooling of corporate and government resources and ultimately, the environment will benefit from an increased public awareness of these issues."

In preparation for the competition, students and their faculty advisors attended a series of learning sessions and field trips throughout the school year to gather information about debate resolution and debating techniques.

More than 40 judges from business, labor, and education select a winner and runner-up team. Also, a special award will be given to the student selected as the Most Valuable Debater.

"As a major energy company, PPL recognizes its responsibility to balance environmental concerns with our obligations to provide affordable power," said Ratzell. "That is why PPL Project Earth is a reality today. We stand by this commitment to the environment and are proud of the effort these students have put into this event."