As part of its efforts to help support Pennsylvania's shale gas industry, Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) is constructing several new power lines and rebuilding others at a cost of nearly $6 million to serve natural gas pumping stations being constructed in central Pennsylvania. 

The work also will enhance service reliability for approximately 3,000 Penelec customers in the region.  

The new distribution lines will run nearly 15 miles from existing Penelec substations in McConnellstown and Blain and will provide electric service to new natural gas pumping stations being built in Marcklesburg and Doylesburg. 

The projects include installing wire, electrical equipment and more than 300 new steel, wood and laminate poles.

The work is expected to be completed later this summer and is designed to handle the approximately 2.8 megawatts in new electric load anticipated on the Penelec system when the pumping stations are operational. 

In addition, the projects will help enhance service reliability for Penelec customers in Blain, Jackson Borough, Toboyne Township, Walker Township, and Penn Township.

"With the natural gas industry bringing new employment and business development opportunities to Pennsylvania, these types of infrastructure upgrades will help us meet the growing demand for safe and reliable electric service now and in the future," said Scott Wyman, Penelec regional president.

The work is part of FirstEnergy's plans to invest approximately $221 million in 2015 on service reliability infrastructure enhancements and transmission projects in Penelec's service area.

6/15/2015