Project Updates

July 1, 2008 - Public Input Workshops Complete

We have completed the public workshops designed to gather input on the three alternative routes for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line project.

Over the next month, we’ll be reviewing all comments and considering them carefully as we choose one of the three routes to recommend to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for approval.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meetings or made comments by phone and e-mail. If you have additional questions or concerns, please call us toll-free at 1-800-291-5403 or e-mail us by logging on to www.pplreliablepower.com.

The Susquehanna-Roseland power line is needed to ensure reliable electric service for all electric customers in eastern and northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the region. We’ll keep you informed as we move forward with the process to complete this project.

June 13, 2008 - Workshop added in Milford area

PPL Electric Utilities has scheduled an additional public workshop on the Susquehanna-Roseland Power Line Project for the convenience of residents in the Milford, Pa., area. This is in addition to the eight other open houses being held along the potential line routes. The Milford public workshop will be held Monday, June 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing in Matamoras. 

June 12, 2008 – Webcast for municipal officials

PPL Electric Utilities will host a webcast for municipal officials at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12. The webcast will include an overview of the Susquehanna Roseland power line project, highlight the three possible line routes and give municipal officials a chance to ask questions.

To access the webcast, click here. If you cannot listen to the live webcast, you can use the link above to access a replay after the event.

June 5, 2008 - Possible routes identified; public input invited at workshops

PPL Electric Utilities has identified three possible routes, and is seeking public comment at a series of nine public input workshops throughout eastern and northeastern Pennsylvania. After considering public input – along with the data gathered during extensive study of the region – we will pick the preferred route for the project.

Possible project routes

PPL Electric Utilities has identified three possible routes that could be used for this project. We plan to pick one of them after considering public input.

Where practical, the routes follow paths of existing power lines or where the company already owns property or property rights. However, all of the routes would require the company to acquire some amount of new right of way.

The next important step is public input. We want your comments, and we will use your input to choose the best route. You are invited to attend one of nine public input workshops scheduled in communities along the possible routes.

Overview low res | high res Routes A & B Lackawanna-Wayne .pdf document Routes A & B Luzerne-North .pdf document Routes A, B & C Luzerne-South .pdf document Route C Northampton-Lehigh .pdf document Routes A & B Pike-North .pdf document Route B Pike-South .pdf document Route C Schuylkill-Lehigh .pdf document

Route descriptions:

Route A begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels northeast through Luzerne and Lackawanna counties on the path of an existing 230-kV power line. The line then travels east through Lackawanna and Wayne counties primarily on the path of existing power lines before heading east-southeast through Pike County.

Route B begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels through Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wayne counties on the same power line rights of way as Route A. Route B separates from Route A at a point northeast of Lake Wallenpaupack and travels south through the Delaware State Forest on the path of an existing 230-kV power line.

Route C begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels south primarily on existing future-use right of way through Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. The line then travels east primarily on future-use or existing transmission power line routes in Schuylkill, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

After considering public input and examining the pros and cons of each potential route, we will choose one route for the project and begin working with residents along that route to minimize potential impacts and inconvenience as much as possible.

Before any construction can begin, PPL Electric Utilities will seek approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to build the new power line.

Public input workshops:

Monday, June 16 (5-8 p.m.) 
PPL East Mountain Business Center, 1190 East Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Tuesday, June 17 (5-8 p.m.) 
Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18503

Wednesday, June 18 (5-8 p.m.)
Wallenpaupack Area High School, 2552 Route 6, Hawley, PA 18428

Thursday, June 19 (5-8 p.m.)
Fernwood Resort & Conference Center, Route 209 and River Road, Bushkill, PA 18324

Monday, June 23 (5-8 p.m.) 
Berwick Area High School, 1100 Fowler Ave., Berwick, PA 18603

Tuesday, June 24 (5-8 p.m.) 
Tamaqua Community Center, 229 Center St. (rear), Tamaqua, PA 18252

Wednesday, June 25 (5-8 p.m.) 
Forks Township Community Center, 500 Zucksville Road, Easton, PA 18040

Thursday, June 26 (5-8 p.m.)
Northampton Community Center, 1601 Laubach Ave., Northampton, PA 18067

Monday, June 30 (5-8 p.m.)
Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing, 120 Routes 6 and 209, Matamoras, PA 18336

For nearby residents
Property owners in a 1,000-foot corridor along each possible route have been mailed letters with details of the routes and an invitation to attend one of the workshops. All others who are interested also are welcome to attend a workshop of their choice, or to contact PPL directly by clicking here. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-291-5403 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Project news release (click here)
Here is the news release PPL Electric Utilities issued about the public input workshops and possible routes on June 5, 2008.

Project fact sheet (click here)
Here is a copy of the fact sheet mailed to property owners in a 1,000-foot corridor along each possible route.

April 9, 2008 - CEO of Greater Pocono Chamber supports project

The Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce supports the Susquehanna-Roseland project as vital to job creation and business growth, and as essential for the region’s supply of dependable electricity.

Here’s what Robert Phillips, President/CEO of the chamber, had to say:

“There is no doubt that demand for electricity in our region has been significantly increasing. The need to provide continual uninterrupted services is vital to our economic development, job creation and business growth. To prevent future overloads or even possible blackouts due to the current high demand on the existing system, a new power line is essential for the guarantee of dependable and efficient electricity. The Susquehanna-Roseland power line project will ensure future reliable service for our region’s electricity supply.”

Feb. 22, 2008 - Information gathering begins

We’ve started gathering the information we will need to pick the best possible route for the new power line. We will study aerial photography, maps and data from the Geographic Information System. (This system, often called GIS, contains computerized information on the social, natural, political and cultural features of the area.)

We will use all this information to help find possible routes for the power line. We’ll also consider using existing power line routes, if practical, which could eliminate the need to build a new line where one does not already exist. read more >>