Sept. 24, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
PPL Corp. will receive as much as $71.5 million from the U.S. government to improve the company’s electrical grid.
The Allentown-based utility said the money will go toward improving 29.3 miles of power line, a plan PPL calls the Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project.
The goal is “providing long-term reliability and affordability benefits to customers throughout the Susquehanna Valley, Greater Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania,” according to the PPL statement.
There is no mention in today’s press release about data centers, but PPL is in talks with developers of the big-box buildings. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has said data centers will push up demand and costs, while retail customers are already paying more for electricity and delivery of energy.
As usual when money is given away, several politicians are noted in the press release: U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Sen. David McCormick.
Shares of PPL (NYSE:PPL) traded at $32.11 at 12:30 p.m. today, giving the company a market capitalization of $24.2 billion.
Here’s a link to the company statement and below is a cut-and-paste version:
PPL Electric Utilities selected for U.S. Department of Energy grant for Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project
Project will modernize 29.3 miles of existing transmission infrastructure to strengthen reliability, resilience and grid capacity.
ALLENTOWN, Pa., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PPL Electric Utilities today joined U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, elected officials, project stakeholders and community leaders to announce that the company has been selected to receive up to $71.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project, a major modernization of an existing 230-kilovolt transmission corridor. The funding is being made available through the DOE’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) Program.
The proposed Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project will rebuild approximately 29.3 miles of existing transmission line, replacing aging infrastructure with advanced technologies that strengthen reliability, enhance the line’s available capacity and support growing energy needs while maximizing the use of existing infrastructure, providing long-term reliability and affordability benefits to customers throughout the Susquehanna Valley, Greater Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania.
“Today’s announcement reinforces the Trump Administration’s commitment to commonsense energy addition policies that lower electricity prices and strengthen our grid,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “These investments will get more out of the infrastructure we already have, move more electricity across the grid, and help deliver affordable, reliable and secure power that will fuel American prosperity for decades to come.”
“This Department of Energy funding will help PPL Electric modernize critical infrastructure, strengthen reliability and resilience and deploy advanced technologies that will help inform future grid investments,” said PPL Electric Utilities President Christine Martin. “By bringing these federal resources into Pennsylvania, we can maximize the impact of every infrastructure dollar invested while helping minimize costs for customers and delivering long-term value for the communities we serve.”
Support for Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure
The project has received support from federal and state stakeholders who recognize the importance of strengthening Pennsylvania’s electric infrastructure and supporting future economic growth.
“Pennsylvanians need cheaper, more reliable power, and this grant will bring us closer to that goal,” said Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA). “I’m proud to have supported this grant, which will strengthen the grid, encourage job-creating investments, and ensure lower-cost electricity for Pennsylvanians across the northeast and Lehigh Valley. I commend PPL and Secretary Chris Wright for their commitment to growing our great Commonwealth.”
“Since day one, Secretary Wright and the Trump administration have been leading the effort to modernize America’s electric grid, strengthen energy reliability and ensure we have the infrastructure needed to meet growing energy demand,” said Congressman Dan Meuser. “This investment is an example of how the Trump Administration is working with our industry partners to put federal resources to work on critical infrastructure projects here in Pennsylvania. I’d like to thank President Trump and Secretary Wright for helping deliver more reliable power for families and businesses.”
“Pennsylvania is an energy powerhouse, and the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos deserve a grid system that promotes affordability and reliability for local families and businesses,” said Congressman Ryan Mackenzie. “That’s why I support commonsense, all-of-the-above solutions that strengthen our energy infrastructure and help keep costs down for working families, seniors and small businesses. This investment will help modernize critical transmission infrastructure, expand capacity and strengthen reliability for customers across our region. I appreciate Secretary Wright and PPL Electric Utilities for their work to bring this investment to Pennsylvania.”
Innovative project technologies
The project will deploy two advanced transmission technologies supported through DOE’s SPARK Program:
Advanced Conductors: PPL Electric will use a combination of Aluminum Conductor Steel Supported (ACSS) and Aluminum Conductor Composite Core (ACCC) conductors on targeted segments of the line. These advanced conductors can carry more electricity, improve performance during high temperatures and provide greater long-term reliability while maximizing use of the existing transmission corridor.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing: The project will install dual optical ground wire to strengthen system protection and communications while expanding the corridor’s fiber network. PPL Electric will use that fiber network to demonstrate Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology and evaluate new tools to better understand, monitor and operate the electric grid.
Over the coming months, PPL Electric will work with the DOE to negotiate and finalize the terms of the award.
About the SPARK Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative supports projects that modernize and strengthen the nation’s electric grid by upgrading existing transmission infrastructure with advanced technologies. Funded through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, SPARK is designed to increase grid capacity, improve reliability and resilience, reduce congestion, and deliver additional electricity using existing transmission corridors. Selected projects demonstrate how advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies and other innovative solutions can help meet growing energy demand while improving the efficiency and performance of the electric system.
About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It regularly ranks among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. It is a part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Visit pplelectric.com or connect on social media via Facebook, X and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.
