PPL Electric Utilities assessing apparent damage from runaway blimp

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 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.

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SOURCE PPL Electric Utilities