PPL addresses Coaldale 'Hometown Hero' situation

PPL will inspect 25 poles per year at no cost for projects like the Hometown Hero banners in Coaldale.

The utility explained in a statement Thursday that the inspections are conducted to ensure that they are in compliance with electrical codes.

A group of volunteers in Coaldale who are making banners expressed concern over a $25 per pole inspection fee levied by PPL.

Borough council has agreed to let their workers put up the banners, but council members said they don’t want to do the work without PPL’s approval.

PPL Spokesman Joe Nixon said in a statement:

“We need to ensure every pole has the appropriate space available to accommodate the proposed attachments, which must meet PPL’s specifications and the National Electric Safety Code for ground clearance and clearance to other facilities on the pole. This is a requirement for any municipality or organization planning to use our poles for such attachments.

Nixon said a large number of municipalities make requests every year.

“As a regulated electric company, our operating costs — including costs to inspect poles for banner attachments — are paid by our electric customers. Were we to provide this service free to organizations or municipalities, this work would be subsidized by all of our electric customers through their bills.”

PPL works with contractors to limit the cost by offering to survey up to 25 poles annually for applicants at no charge.

“That being said, discussions continue with the borough to see how the pole surveys can be conducted in a way that best balances the need to check the poles with Coaldale’s Hometown Heroes banner project,” Nixon said.