ALLENTOWN, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Electric
Utilities is assessing and responding to damage to its electric
delivery system reportedly caused Wednesday afternoon (10/28) by a
runaway military blimp.
The trailing tether line of the blimp, which broke free from the
Aberdeen Proving Ground in
Maryland, reportedly caused damage
to multiple electrical system facilities in Columbia and Schuylkill counties.
The utility is working to switch many affected customers to
other circuits, restoring power. It has not yet been determined how
long repairs will take.
"We will work as quickly and safely as possible to repair the
damage and restore all service," said Dave
Bonenberger, vice president-Distribution Operations.
As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, about
17,800 customers were without power in Columbia County, with another 9,000 out in
Schuylkill County.
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
|
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SOURCE PPL Electric Utilities