Energy companies work very hard to remain out of sight. People expect that the lights will turn on when they push a button, the water will come out when they turn a handle, and the waste will disappear when they press a button. And for the majority of Americans each day, that's exactly what happens.
Energy companies become most noticeable when they fail: when a storm knocks down a power line and the TV turns off, when an old water pipe breaks and the tap water becomes cloudy or stops flowing. They also become noticeable when the bills increase — whether it’s due to the customer’s own actions, such as not fixing a leaky faucet, or an error on the part of the provider, as in the recent surge in rates for PPL customers.
For many people, all those times things worked as expected don’t matter. The days without interruptions, the gallons of water used for drinking, bathing, or laundry, the numerous flushes — those are forgotten. Few, if any, ever think, “Wow, another successful (action) thanks to (energy company). But when it doesn’t work, the company is seen as incompetent, overpaid, and clearly indifferent to the needs of those they are meant to serve.
However, if you had the opportunity to attend a meeting that the Times Leader had with representatives from several major companies recently, you might have a very different understanding of what they do that goes unnoticed by most.
Representatives from UGI, PPL, American Water and the economic development agency Penn’s Northeast covered a lot of territory in explaining everything they do — everything they need to do — to serve existing customers, to replace outdated infrastructure, and to prepare for expected growth in both commercial development and the ensuing residential demands. Frankly, it is quite astounding.
The three energy companies spend millions each year improving and/or increasing capacity. They invest heavily in community support, partly to be good neighbors, but also to generate positive PR. They have no choice but to keep looking ahead in anticipation of what will be needed when, for example, all those acres slated for development by companies such as Mericle actually start requiring electricity, water, and sewage service.
And each of them pointed out that it's not just about ensuring existing customers are content. They are essential parts of any significant economic development. All three energy companies talked about how the Marcellus shale natural gas boom has been a significant “game changer” for the state and the region. And how much demand has grown as conventional locations for many businesses have simply become saturated.
Luzerne County has prime access via interstates and rail to serve a large part of the nation’s northeast, sections of Canada, and even areas to the south. All three energy companies emphasized that large corporations will not relocate to areas where utilities are at all unreliable. Having a track record of successful service and successful support for incoming businesses is a large part of the region’s economic growth. This includes everything from power generation and transmission to water flow, sewage disposal, and fire hydrants always maintaining full pressure.
They perform these tasks over periods of time that make them address changing political priorities and public opinion. They do it while facing increasing threats to infrastructure from malicious individuals who view it as a valid target for some misguided cause. And they do it as the very essence of their own work changes due to technological advancements and environmental demands.
You can find more specific information elsewhere, but don't be mistaken. You might believe you can't comprehend the work of utility companies until you require their services, but that's incorrect.
Just observe your surroundings. Almost everything you encounter in your daily life bears the influence of utility companies, both literally and figuratively.
– Times Leader
