PPL Electric steps up to the plate to strengthen reliability for customers

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Aug. 17, 2026) - As Williamsport prepares to welcome players, families and fans for the Little League Baseball World Series and the MLB Little League Classic, PPL Electric Utilities teams are doing what they do throughout the year: working behind the scenes to help ensure reliable electric service for customers and communities.

The Little League Baseball World Series begins Aug. 19 in South Williamsport, while the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves will meet Aug. 23 at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport. These high-profile events are important to the region, but the work that helps support them is part of a much larger, year-round commitment to the nearly 1.5 million homes and businesses PPL Electric serves.

"Reliable electricity supports nearly every part of daily life, from keeping families connected and businesses operating to helping communities host major events," said Christine Martin, president of PPL Electric Utilities. "Our teams work throughout the year to inspect equipment, complete preventive maintenance, strengthen infrastructure and use advanced technology to reduce outages. That work is essential whether we are serving one neighborhood or helping a community prepare to welcome visitors from around the world."

PPL Electric maintains nearly 47,000 miles of distribution lines across its 29-county service territory. Maintaining a system of that size requires ongoing inspections, equipment replacement, vegetation management and targeted upgrades based on the needs of each community. In 2026 alone, the company plans to clear trees and branches along more than 4,750 miles of power lines, roughly equal to a round trip from Pennsylvania to California.

In the Williamsport area, crews conducted visual and infrared inspections ahead of this year's tournament. The inspections helped identify opportunities for additional improvements, allowing crews to complete proactive work to further strengthen reliability ahead of the events. Vegetation management teams also completed inspections and tree trimming near electric facilities serving the area. PPL Electric conducts this work annually to reduce preventable outage risks, and teams coordinate with event organizers on preparations, contact information and response plans.

That local preparation reflects the same approach PPL Electric uses across eastern and central Pennsylvania. The company replaces aging poles, wires and underground cable, strengthens parts of the system that are especially vulnerable to severe weather and clears hazardous trees and branches near power lines.

Earlier this year, PPL Electric announced plans for a multi-year reliability improvement strategy that included the implementation of more than 55 large-scale grid-strengthening projects and to clear trees and branches along more than 4,750 miles of power lines in 2026. So far, the company has implemented approximately 90 percent of these projects and cleared nearly 60 percent of its 4,750-mile target. This progress is helping strengthen the electric system, reduce outage risks and provide more dependable service for customers and communities.

Technology is another important part of that work. PPL Electric's Smart Grid uses automated equipment to detect problems, isolate damaged sections of the system and reroute electricity through another available path. In many cases, this automated process restores service in fewer than five minutes, limiting the number of customers affected and allowing crews to focus on repairs that require hands-on work.

Since Smart Grid technology was introduced, it has helped customers avoid more than 3.5 million outages. Each avoided outage means a family can continue its day, a business can remain open, a first responder can stay connected or a community event can continue without interruption. The company continues to expand and improve the technology as part of its broader effort to build a stronger, smarter and more resilient electric grid.

"Much of this work happens without customers ever seeing it, and that is often a sign that it is working," Martin said. "Every inspection completed, tree trimmed, piece of equipment replaced and outage prevented helps make the electric system more dependable. We are proud of the employees whose work helps power the everyday moments and major milestones that matter to the communities we serve."

To learn more about PPL Electric's reliability work, visit pplelectric.com/reliability.

About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It regularly ranks among the country's best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. It is a part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Visit pplelectric.com or connect on social media via Facebook, X and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.