ALLENTOWN - After consideration of public input and study of the region, PPL Electric Utilities has chosen a route for a new power line as part of a project to improve electric service for homes and businesses in northeast Pennsylvania and the Poconos, the company said Tuesday.

"These new facilities will reduce the number of power outages experienced by our customers, and also reduce the duration of outages caused by falling trees or severe weather," David Bonenberger, general manager-Transmission Operations.

In choosing the location for the new 230-kilovolt power line and the new 69-kilovolt power lines that are needed for this project, the company conducted an extensive public input process and a months-long study of the region.

"Our goal is to minimize impacts on people and the environment to the extent possible," Bonenberger said. "With the growth in this region, new lines and substations are required so that people have reliable electricity delivery when they need it the most."

After additional public open houses to take comments on the chosen route, PPL Electric Utilities will begin the process of submitting the required applications to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for approval.

The company also has selected locations for three new electrical substations. Detailed information on the chosen route and substation locations has been mailed to property owners near the new facilities, and also is available, , including a map, on the project website, www.pplreliablepower.com/Northeast-Pocono.

The new power lines and substations will serve 250,000 people in parts of Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne, Pike and Luzerne counties. This project is part of more than $3 billion in infrastructure improvements planned by PPL Electric Utilities to benefit customers throughout its 29-county service territory.

PPL Electric Utilities has scheduled three public open houses around the project area to get public input on the chosen route. The open houses have no set agenda and no formal presentation, so people may attend anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to get more details about the project and talk with various PPL Electric Utilities experts. Open houses will be held:

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Co., 490 Main St. (Route 507), Gouldsboro,  
• Wednesday, Oct. 26 – Greene-Dreher Volunteer Fire Association, 460 Crestmont Drive, Newfoundland,
• Thursday, Oct. 27 – Thornhurst Fire & Rescue, 125 River Road, Thornhurst,