After 18 public meetings, thousands of conversations with residents along the route, and seeking public input on everything from route selection to line design, PPL Electric Utilities has submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission an application to site and build the 500-kilovolt Susquehanna-Roseland power line.

The line is needed because demand for electricity has risen substantially and is expected to continue to rise despite the current slowdown in the economy. The existing power grid infrastructure has not been improved to keep up with increasing demand.

The line will benefit residents and businesses, regardless of their local electric company, by helping to prevent overloads on the regional grid that could lead to serious problems and even blackouts during the times when electricity is needed the most.

The line route through northeastern Pennsylvania follows existing power line routes for more than 90 percent of its distance, helping to reduce impact on people and the environment.

During the PUC review process, which is expected to take about one year, PPL Electric Utilities will move forward with final design work. The line is scheduled to be in service by May 2012.

The PJM Interconnection, which oversees reliability planning for the regional power grid, identified the need for the new line. PJM ordered PPL Electric Utilities to build the Pennsylvania portion and ordered PSE&G to build the New Jersey portion of the line.