With a rare April snowstorm bearing down on eastern and central Pennsylvania, PPL Electric Utilities is preparing to respond to any power outages the weather may cause.

"We have a sufficient number of linemen and contractors ready to respond if our customers need them," said Robert S. Gombos, vice president of Field Services for PPL Electric Utilities. "We also have contacted neighboring utilities to arrange for additional support if it becomes necessary."

Over the weekend, he noted, PPL Electric Utilities sent a total of 33 line crews to help utilities in New York state recover from a devastating ice storm.

"Before we decide to send crews to other utilities, we make sure we will have the resources we need to serve our own customers," Gombos said.

About 150 PPL Electric Utilities line crews are available today to respond to any outage calls, along with 30 contractor crews. If necessary, Gombos added, PPL Electric Utilities will recall its crews from New York and have them back in the company's service area within a couple of hours.

Customers can report power outages 24 hours a day by calling PPL Electric Utilities toll-free at 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIAL PPL).

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), serves 1.3 million customers in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania.