On the eve of its 80th anniversary, PPL Corporation's Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric project has received permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to continue operating through September 2044.
The decision preserves an important regional resource and follows more than five years of collaboration among PPL, local residents, community groups and government agencies.
"The renewed license benefits the community, the local economy, the environment and the company," said Dennis Murphy, vice president and chief operating officer of PPL's Eastern Fossil and Hydro Operations.
"It ensures that Lake Wallenpaupack will remain available for power generation, flood control, drought management and environmental conservation," he said. "It also recognizes the lake's popularity among outdoor enthusiasts."
The license, which is now in effect even though PPL has asked FERC for clarification of several matters, enables PPL to continue to operate the plant to produce power during periods of high electricity demand. It also includes provisions that stem from a 2004 agreement between PPL, state and federal agencies, and local municipalities and organizations. In accordance with that agreement and the terms of the new license, the company plans to fund a number of recreational projects and environmental studies.
These include providing more than $2.5 million for environmental and water monitoring studies by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. National Park Service and the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District.
In addition, PPL will make shoreline fishing improvements at various sites to allow access by people with disabilities, fund $440,000 of recreational fishing and boating enhancements through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission, and restrict generation during trout season. The company also will provide support for the Lake Wallenpaupack Recreation Council and Palmyra Township's beach facilities.
PPL held more than 30 meetings with key stakeholders and the public to involve the community in the relicensing effort. Its community outreach efforts were recognized in 2003 when the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin awarded the company its 2003 Business and Industry Award.
Lake Wallenpaupack, a 5,700-acre lake, and the Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric facility were completed by PPL in 1926. The facility can generate 44 megawatts of electricity.
PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls about 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to nearly 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.