Economic Development

We’re ready to power your business

PPL Electric Utilities has available transmission capacity at all voltage levels, from 69 kV to 500 kV. Whether you’re looking to expand your operations to a new, strategic area or just starting your business up, we can handle your project. Just 1.5 hours from major cities, our transmission system delivers electricity safely, reliably and efficiently across long distances, right to where you need it.

Learn more

Reliable

Our transmission system gives you peace of mind. Through the use of innovative technology, we’ve built one of the most advanced electric grids in the country. It provides stability and flexibility for our grid operators, which improves operations and protections against cyber, physical and weather threats.

Learn more >

Power Availability

We have available transmission capacity across our service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Check out our current capacity map for a more detailed look.

Easy to Connect

Our team is easy to work with. With our rapid response process, we can provide a high-level scope, schedule, and cost breakdowns of a project within five business days. We also offer quick turnarounds on project feasibility reports. New 69kV tap projects typically range between 12 and 15 months from project contract execution to energization.

Learn more >

Eastern and central Pennsylvania are a perfect place to grow your business

With the ability to shop for competitive supply rates and PPL Electric’s superior reliability, industry-leading innovation and award-winning customer service, eastern and central Pennsylvania is a perfect place to grow your business.

Transmission is the backbone of our electric grid and plays an important role in maintaining a strong economy. Since 2013, we’ve invested in focused upgrades and continued to innovate and advance our electric grid. These continued investments in the transmission system allow us to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity for you and your business. Learn more about the region from economic development partners in our area.

Economic Development Partners

We deliver electricity to some of the largest businesses and industries in Pennsylvania.

Businesses seeking regional or international headquarters, industrial, manufacturing or distribution facilities find themselves in good company in our service territory. Several Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies are based in eastern and central Pennsylvania or have major operations here. From steel production to plastics and data centers to agriculture, businesses can have confidence in us by looking at the customers we serve and the scale of their operations.

Testimonials

“Strong, reliable transmission and distribution system

"Electricity is the critical underpinning for economic growth. This area has a good reputation for our electric grid—strong, reliable transmission and distribution system and fair prices. This is a fundamental requirement for companies to invest in an area."

– Don Cunningham, President & CEO, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation

“Superior electric reliability

"We sell companies from around the world on investing here based on our superior electric reliability and reasonable cost of service. Our robust transmission system supports electric service that gives Pennsylvania a strategic advantage in attracting new business."

– John Augustine III, President & CEO, Penn’s Northeast

“PPL Electric Utilities has been a critical partner

"PPL Electric Utilities has been a critical partner in responding to high impact project inquiries and it quickly provides high-level details about electric infrastructure that project decision makers need to determine if they will consider a site to compete for their project."

– Lauren Bryson, Executive Director, Focus Central Pennsylvania

Proud to Power the Great Stream Commons Business Park

The work that PPL Electric did to add a new substation, more than two miles of overhead electrical distribution lines and several remotely operable smart grid devices was a critical component in attracting businesses to the new Great Stream Commons business park in Allenwood, Union County. Plus, the additions will help improve reliability for all customers in the area.

Meet the Team

Colleen Kester
Interconnection Affairs Manager
Email Colleen

Colleen Kester was named to her current position in April of 2021, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2011. As the Interconnection Affairs Manager, she is responsible for directing all aspects of PPL Electric’s new and modified transmission-level retail electric service requests for commercial and industrial customers, economic development efforts to attract new business and transmission projects related to the interconnection of renewable energy and other power generation to the grid.

Ian van Halem
Transmission Interconnection Affairs Project Manager
Email Ian

Ian van Halem was named to his current position in December of 2022, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2014. As a Project Manager for the Transmission Interconnection Affairs group, he oversees transmission-level retail electric load requests across PPL Electric’s service territory which includes managing projects from inception through development and execution while maintaining a close relationship with the customer. He also manages and develops transmission relocation requests and is an integral part of economic development initiatives.

John D. Kucher
Manager of Business Services
Email John

John D. Kucher was named to his current position in September of 2017, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2010. As the Manager of Business Services, he oversees both the key accounts and business accounts groups that handle and process the intake of all distribution service requests for new, upgrade, relocation and distributed energy applications. He and his team are responsible for assisting customers through the application process by ensuring they have the information needed to make informed decisions on the type of service that best fits their project. After project completion, he and his team remain as dedicated resources to provide support and service to customers.

Joseph Lookup
Vice President of T&D Planning and Asset Management
Email Joseph

Joseph Lookup is the Vice President of T&D Planning and Asset Management for PPL Electric Utilities. In his role — which he has held since 2021 — he is responsible for the transmission strategy for reliability, project development and portfolio execution. He also leads and oversees the interconnection team responsible for attracting new business and leading interactions during the new project development phase. He has been with PPL Electric for over a decade and has work experience in both the public and private sectors.

Dave Quier
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PPL Electric Utilities

Dave Quier is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PPL Electric Utilities. He oversees operations, planning, engineering, project and construction management, siting, real estate, and compliance to ensure we deliver safe, reliable and exceptional electric service at a reasonable cost to our customers. In addition, he also manages new transmission business ventures. Prior to becoming vice president, Quier was director of asset management for PPL Electric’s Transmission and Substations team. In this role, he oversaw planning, system reliability, standards, strategic initiatives, regulatory policy, special projects and capital development. Since joining PPL Electric in 2007, Quier has been instrumental in helping to refocus the distribution system automation strategy to improve reliability performance. This includes directing the efforts to fully deploy smart grid switches on PPL Electric’s power grid.

Reach out to our team today!

Want to learn more or get started?

Email Us