PPL sends letter with incorrect mailing to 60,000 customers

About 60,000 PPL customers in Carbon and Schuylkill counties were affected by an incorrect mailing about replacing their electric meters.

Joe Nixon, strategic communications manager, PPL Electric Utilities, said this morning the letters were sent out by mistake due to mail production error.

“The letters, dated April 25, indicated we unsuccessfully tried to contact the customer to replace their meter,” Nixon said. “We apologize to the affected customers for any inconvenience and worry this caused.”

The incorrect letter that was originally sent out stated the following:

“Our efforts to reach you and schedule a time to replace our electric meter on your property have not been successful. The replacement of your electric meter is required by Pennsylvania law, and this work is mandatory.

To complete the work, our technicians need clear access to the electric meter at your property. Appointments are available on any weekday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible.

“We’ve hired Grid One Solutions to perform the meter installation. Grid One employees arrive in clearly marked vehicles and display picture identification badges. The work will take about 10 minutes to complete during which time you may lower power briefly.

“Please call 1-800-254-0344 to schedule the meter replacement. We appreciate your prompt cooperation and assistance in helping us to complete this work as soon as possible. Failure to have the meter on your property replaced will result in the shutoff of your electric service.

“If your meter was replaced after the date of this letter, please disregard this notice. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Nixon said, “The mailing that should have gone out was one that notified these customers that one of our contractors for the meter project will be checking existing meters to update the customer database in advance of the actual meter installations,” he said.

“Letters with the correct information are being mailed now.”

For more information on PPL’s meter replacement project, visit www.pplelectric.com/newmeters.