PPL Electric Utilities brings its Live Line Electrical Safety Demonstration to the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Jan. 9, 2025) - Building on the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show's theme of "Powering Pennsylvania," PPL Electric Utilities engaged attendees in a demonstration of potentially life-saving information about how to stay safe around electricity on Thursday, Jan. 9. Joined by leaders from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), the Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), officials also highlighted how a strong agriculture industry and resilient electric grid are fostering sustainable growth across the Commonwealth.

Christine Martin, president of PPL Electric Utilities, opened the event by celebrating the essential role that agriculture plays in the economy of Pennsylvania and how the farming community and power industry are deeply interconnected.

"PPL Electric Utilities is incredibly proud to play a role in supporting this essential industry," said Martin. "As agriculture continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and innovations to stay at the forefront of production, PPL Electric is evolving right alongside it. And while the electricity we provide can't be seen or heard, it is the invisible undercurrent that enables businesses, farms and communities to thrive."

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, Department of Agriculture Bureau Director Frank Schneider and PEMA Director Randy Padfield echoed Martin's remarks, reinforcing the critical importance of understanding how to stay safe around electricity - whether on the farm, worksite or the backyard.

"Safety is a shared responsibility," said DeFrank. "Whether we are talking about individuals, utilities, or the Public Utility Commission, collaboration is essential to protecting lives and ensuring safe interactions with electricity. When running a family farm, working on a construction site, or tackling a project at home, we all share the responsibility to make safety a priority."

Live Line Electrical Safety Demonstration
PPL Electric's Live Line Safety Exhibit is a scaled down 7,200-volt electrical distribution grid featuring live electrical wires, utility poles, a transformer and solar panels. Trained PPL Electric staff used gloves, ladders, shovels, metallic balloons and more to show what happens when objects come in contact with live electrical lines - above and below the ground.

Since 2015, PPL Electric has been taking its traveling exhibit on the road throughout the 29 counties it serves in central and eastern Pennsylvania and has reached over 72,000 individuals with its safety messages. Farmers and agricultural workers, first responders, construction trades, students and the public appreciated learning about hazards above and below ground, and how to prepare for and mitigate risk when working around electricity.

"Our team has poured their passion and expertise into this exhibit, building it from the ground up to teach important electrical safety lessons," said Martin. "This is just one way we demonstrate our commitment to keeping our customers safe-and to ensuring that everyone understands how to protect themselves and their loved ones around the invisible thing we call electricity."

Three Critical Electrical Safety Tips
Three safety tips attendees learned, and everyone should know:

• Look up for powerlines: Avoid contacting power lines with ladders, tools or equipment. Keep ladders and equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.
• Call 811 before you dig: Avoid contacting underground power lines by calling 811 before digging. The excavation area will be marked with paint and flags to identify underground lines to keep you safe. It's the Law!
• Stay away from downed wires: Always assume any downed wire is energized, stay away and report it immediately to PPL Electric at 1-800-342-5775.

For more tips about how to stay safe around electricity, visit pplelectric.com/safety.

About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to 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, Twitter and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.