PPL Electric Utilities is sponsoring a program in local schools to get students talking about energy and thinking about ways to save energy and protect the environment.

The company is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Energy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to energy awareness, to offer the “Think! Energy with e-power” program to more than 6,000 fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders and their teachers in school districts across eastern and central Pennsylvania.

“This is about challenging tomorrow’s leaders to think about energy use and ways we can all work harder to secure a brighter future,” said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities.

The program includes an interactive, hands-on classroom presentation by NEF; a supplemental curriculum and activities that teachers can use to continue classroom learning; special training for teachers who will lead “energy patrols” to promote wise energy use in their schools; and take-home kits for students to use together with their parents to make energy-saving improvements at home.

The kits will contain a high-efficiency showerhead, kitchen faucet aerator, energy-efficient nightlight, shower timer, digital refrigerator thermometer, two compact fluorescent light bulbs, “turn it off and save” light switch stickers, fun facts and a “Take Action” student guide.

Participating children will return a home report card to their teacher showing changes they made in their home.

“Saving energy can be accomplished through simple measures,” DeCampli said. “We want to show students how little steps like switching to compact fluorescent lights and buying ENERGY STAR™ products can save money and make a big difference for the environment.”

If every customer saved just 1 percent on their electric bill, DeCampli said, it would be the equivalent of planting nearly 70,000 acres of trees a year and taking more than 49,000 cars off the road. 

PPL Electric Utilities and NEF are launching the “Think! Energy with e-power” program to coincide with National Energy Awareness Month in October.

Think! Energy is part of PPL Electric Utilities’ ongoing e-power initiative to promote energy efficiency. In addition to Think! Energy, PPL Electric Utilities has put together an e-power team that shares energy-saving tips with customers at special events, senior centers, malls and home improvement stores throughout the company’s 29-county service territory. A schedule of upcoming visits is available on the e-power page at www.pplelectric.com.

The company also continues to offer rebates for small businesses that upgrade to energy-efficient lighting, to provide grants that encourage companies to build “green” and to deliver detailed electric usage information and energy efficiency tips through its Energy Analyzer at www.pplelectric.com.

In addition, PPL Electric Utilities customers can now shop for energy-efficient, brand-name products online and receive 20 percent discounts on all purchases at the “e” Store, an independent store operated by Energy Federation Incorporated. To access the “e” Store, visit www.pplelectric.com and click on the e-power symbol.

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation that provides electricity delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania, has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.

Participating schools