ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Electric
Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL), energized
the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line Monday (5/11),
completing a major upgrade to the nation's electric grid.
The new 500-kilovolt power line will make electric service more
reliable for millions of people in the Northeast. The three-year
construction project created significant economic benefits in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including 2,000 construction jobs.
It also enables savings for electric customers by reducing
transmission congestion charges.
"Building a major transmission line takes expertise in
construction and project management, but it also involves knowing
how to seek and incorporate public input, how to work cooperatively
with multiple permitting agencies, and how to minimize impacts on
people and the environment," said Stephanie
Raymond, PPL's vice president-Transmission and Substations.
"Susquehanna-Roseland will serve as the model as we plan
future transmission projects to benefit consumers."
The PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, determined
that Susquehanna-Roseland was needed to improve reliability by
relieving congestion on other regional transmission lines. PPL
built the 101-mile Pennsylvania
portion and Public Service Electric and Gas Company constructed the
45 miles in New Jersey. The two
companies partnered to build a four-mile segment through National
Park Service lands on the border of the two states.
As part of its efforts to minimize impacts, PPL located the line
on an existing transmission right of way for more than 90 percent
of the Pennsylvania route. The
company worked successfully with local, state and federal agencies
to obtain the required environmental permits. PPL held 25 public
open houses to solicit public input on the project and made changes
where possible to minimize impacts.
Susquehanna-Roseland was one of seven projects nationwide
fast-tracked by the Obama administration's Rapid Response Team for
Transmission, recognizing the importance of the line to the
nation's power grid and the need for streamlined and coordinated
government action on the required federal permits.
The project also led to significant public benefits in the form
of expanded national park lands, wetland improvements and cultural
and historic preservation activities.
Restoration of the construction areas – including regrading and
replanting – will continue for several months along portions of the
route in Pennsylvania.
PPL Electric Utilities provides electric delivery service to
more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and ranks among the best utility
companies in the country for customer service and reliability. With
2,300 employees, PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in the
communities it serves. It is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE:
PPL). For more information visit www.pplelectric.com.
Note to Editors: Visit our media website at
www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news
and background about PPL Corporation.
Contact: Paul Wirth,
610-774-5997
PPL Electric Utilities
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ppl-electric-utilities-completes-susquehanna-roseland-transmission-line-300081134.html
SOURCE PPL Electric Utilities