Public Policy Engagement
Laws and policies enacted at the federal and state levels can have a significant impact on PPL and our customers, employees and shareowners.
PPL actively encourages public policy that supports our clean energy transition and furthers our ability to provide reliable and affordable energy to our customers and to function efficiently, safely and economically. Our active participation in the public policy arena is appropriate in order to keep public officials informed about key issues that affect the interests of our customers, employees, shareowners and the communities we serve.
PPL takes very seriously the need to conduct all aspects of our business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and consistently with the company’s values. As documented in PPL’s Standards of Integrity (PDF), we act with integrity and transparency and abide by all corporate policies, procedures and guidelines in all business interactions and political activities.
PPL reports all corporate lobbying-related activities and expenditures to appropriate state and federal agencies. Information on PPL’s current lobbying activities can be found in lobbying reports filed with the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, Pennsylvania Department of State, Rhode Island Department of State, Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council and will also be made available upon request.
PPL’s Public Affairs Department is in regular communication with executive leadership and provides reports to the Board on key issues and advocacy positions.
PPL belongs to various business and trade associations that engage generally in education and advocacy efforts on a number of industry and business-related issues. PPL reports dues paid to trade associations not deductible under Section 162(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code in its lobbying filings, as required by state and federal laws. The amount associated with 2023 dues totaled $349,734, as compared to $290,776 in 2022.
Listed below are the trade associations that received 2023 annual dues in excess of $50,000, including that portion of dues identified by each trade association as attributable to lobbying.
Association | Total Dues for 2023 Membership | Non-Deductible Portion of Dues Allocated to Lobbying |
---|---|---|
Edison Electric Institute | $1,583,791 | $269,262 |
American Gas Association | $323,864 | $11,011 |
Energy Association of Pennsylvania | $206,048 | $6,223 |
Greater Louisville, Inc. | $131,250 | $6,563 |
Utility Solid Waste Activities Group | $80,380 | $804 |
WIRES | $70,000 | $112 |
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce | $61,035 | $12,207 |
PPL actively encourages public policy that furthers our ability to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers, advances a cleaner energy future, and enables the company to function efficiently, safely and economically. PPL’s domestic public and external affairs leadership meets regularly to discuss legislative and policy issues important to the company, our customers and stakeholders.
PPL Corporation and its affiliates are prohibited from making contributions to candidates and political parties, including in-kind contributions, under federal law and under the laws of the states in which we operate. PPL has established federal and state PACs through which employees may participate in the political process. People for Good Government (PGG) and the LG&E-KU Political Awareness and Civil Education Committee (PACE) are PACs that encourage active interest and participation in the political process by employees, retirees and shareowners. These nonpartisan, voluntary PACs are organized and operate separately from PPL Corporation, as required by law. They are guided by steering committees and allocations committees made up of employees from across the company. Decisions regarding PAC contributions are made without regard to the private political preference of any executive or individual employee.
PGG and PACE report all PAC contributions in campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Pennsylvania Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, and Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Reports will be made available upon request.
PPL Corporation did not make any independent political expenditures in connection with campaigns or to influence ballot measures in 2023, and it is PPL’s current policy not to make such expenditures. PPL Corporation does make contributions to certain politically related or issue-based tax-exempt organizations, such as 501(c)(4) and 527 organizations. These contributions are generally related to memberships and event sponsorships and not intended to influence a political campaign. Should PPL decide to make independent expenditures in the future or make contributions to a tax-exempt organization for the purpose of influencing a campaign, the expenditures must be approved by the most senior officer responsible for government or regulatory affairs in PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, LG&E and KU Energy LLC, Rhode Island Energy or PPL Services Corporation.
In 2023, LG&E and KU made two contributions to 527 organizations, a $15,000 contribution to the Republican Attorneys General Association and a $20,000 contribution to the Democratic Governors Association, which provide for membership in both organizations. LG&E and KU made four 501(c)(4) contributions in community sponsorships throughout 2023: a $500 contribution to Winchester Clark County IDA, a $750 contribution to International Association of Lions Clubs, a $1,800 contribution to World Chicken Festival Association, Inc., and a $5,000 contribution to Buttermilk Days Foundation. No other such contributions were made by PPL or its operating companies.
PPL’s Governance, Nominating and Sustainability Committee (“Committee”), comprised of external directors, has oversight over ESG and sustainability matters, including oversight of the Company’s corporate political activity. All corporate sustainability disclosures and ratings, including those related to corporate public policy disclosures, are reviewed with the Committee. The Committee receives on an annual basis a report of political contributions, including:
- The non-deductible portion of dues and other payments made to trade associations that are in excess of $50,000.
- Independent expenditures in connection with campaigns or to influence ballot measures.
- Contributions to tax-exempt organizations covered under this policy, such as 501(c)(4) and 527 organizations.
PPL Corporation and its affiliates do not contribute to candidates or political parties.