ALLENTOWN - PPL Electric Utilities announced two projects to improve electric service for customers in portions of Monroe County.

The projects will help meet growing demand for electricity and improve electric service reliability for thousands of customers in two areas of the county – in the Effort, Jonas and Sun Valley area and in and around Appenzell.

“A new substation and power line are needed in the Effort, Jonas and Sun Valley area to keep up with increased customer demand and to protect existing local power lines from overloading,” said David E. Schleicher, vice president of Transmission for PPL Electric Utilities.

“In the Appenzell area, a new substation and a power line will help improve electric service reliability by providing a second local source of power for customers,” he said.

Schleicher said PPL Electric Utilities has not selected the final routes for the new 138-kilovolt transmission lines. It is expected that the power line in the Effort, Jonas and Sun Valley area will be about 5 to 6 miles long, and the line in the Appenzell area will be about 2 to 3 miles long, depending on the route selected.

The public will have input into where the transmission lines are placed, he said, as part of a detailed study process that also will include performing environmental studies and looking at alternative routes.

“We understand that building new electrical facilities can raise questions, and we want the public’s input on these projects,” Schleicher said.

To provide information and encourage input, PPL Electric Utilities will host public open houses for residents at the following locations and times:

• The Effort, Jonas and Sun Valley open house will be held April 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West End Fire Company (Main Station), Route 715, Brodheadsville‎.
• The Appenzell open house will be held April 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Reeders United Methodist Church, Church Road and Route 715, Reeders.