Whether it’s installing pollution controls at our coal-fired power plants or helping to re-establish a soaring community of eagles and falcons throughout Pennsylvania, PPL provides energy responsibly while improving our communities and the environment.
“Earth Day gives us a chance to recognize the work our employees are doing to conserve natural resources and protect the environment as we operate our business,” said William H. Spence, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PPL. “It also gives us a chance to empower others to make a difference through programs and activities at many of our facilities.”
Decreasing pollution
To help ensure that its coal-fired power plants operate as cleanly as possible, PPL is investing $1.5 billion to install pollution-control equipment called “scrubbers” at the Brunner Island and Montour plants in Pennsylvania. These scrubbers will remove 97 percent of the plants’ emissions of sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of coal combustion that contributes to the formation of acid rain.
In March, the Unit 2 scrubber at the Montour power plant began operating, signaling a new chapter in PPL’s commitment to the environment and to the long-term viability of this major generating plant. The Unit 1 scrubber is scheduled to begin operating later this spring.
By 2010, all major coal-fired plants owned by PPL in Pennsylvania and Montana will have scrubbers.
Restoring wildlife
Ospreys, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and barn owls can be seen soaring throughout Pennsylvania’s skies, thanks in part to PPL’s efforts to help restore the once-dwindling populations of raptors.
We dedicate resources to enhance habitat for threatened or endangered wildlife and work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other conservationists to monitor their progress.
Because of these efforts, peregrine falcons have taken up residence at several PPL facilities, from the top of PPL’s 23-story headquarters building in downtown Allentown to the sides of the emissions stacks at the Montour power plant.
In an effort to promote awareness and increase understanding of peregrine falcons, PPL has installed a camera to capture moments in the life of the falcons at the Montour power plant. Starting April 22, log on to www.pplpreserves.com and click on Birds of Prey to get a bird’s-eye view of the active nest.
Supporting education
As an energy-dependent society, we are all concerned about energy conservation and practicing wise use of energy. We frequently hear about the small things we can all do to make a difference as well as the innovative approaches we can take when it comes to conserving energy.
That’s why PPL created the Project Earth Environmental Education Grants program. The grants focus on renewable energy and energy conservation projects to encourage action in schools near PPL facilities.
These are just a few of the things PPL does every day to ensure the work we do benefits the community and protects the environment.
For Earth Day, PPL will offer activities ranging from programs at our environmental preserves to cleanups of local rivers and streams to a special community event at the PPL Brunner Island power plant and Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center.
We’ve planned a month full of activities to help you celebrate Earth Day with PPL. Click here for the list of events.
PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls more than 11,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to about 4 million customers in Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom.