PPL Montana has awarded $12,000 in scholarships to eight college-bound students based on their academic record and extracurricular accomplishments.

“Education is the arch that supports a strong economy, a discerning electorate and an invigorating quality of life,” said David Hoffman, PPL Montana’s manager of external affairs. “We are pleased to invest in Montana’s future through our scholarship programs, helping talented students become our future leaders in technology, public affairs and the arts.”

The first category, the PPL Montana Education Scholarship Program, recognizes students with a minimum 3.25 grade point average who enter an accredited Montana college or university. Scholarships of $2,000 were awarded to:

• Sami Jo Lodahl of Gardiner, who will attend the University of Montana.

• Lake Mellott of Conrad, who will attend Carroll College.

• Merica Moench of Shelby, who will attend the University of Montana.

• Kelsey Rollins of St. Ignatius, who will attend the University of Montana.

The second category, the Family Scholarships, is earmarked for high school students who are sons and daughters of PPL Montana employees and retirees. Scholarships of $1,000 were awareded to:

• Steven Donisthorpe of Colstrip, who will attend Dickinson State University.

• Cassie Dow of Billings, who will attend the University of Montana.

• Chelsea Martens of Colstrip, who will attend Concordia College.

• Amos Henry Mellbom of Forsyth, who will attend LeTourneau University.

“These scholarships are one of the many ways that PPL Montana serves the citizens of Montana,” said Hoffman. “We also sell electricity at very competitive prices to Montana businesses, provide good paying jobs to hundreds of Montanans, and will contribute $23 million over 10 years for recreational and environmental projects on Montana rivers.”

PPL Montana, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. With about 500 employees, PPL Montana operates the coal-fired Colstrip and Corette power plants and 11 hydroelectric facilities along the Missouri, Flathead, Clark Fork and Madison rivers and Rosebud Creek. PPL EnergyPlus, another PPL subsidiary, operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale energy market. More information is available at www.pplmontana.com .

Note to Editors: Electronic images of the scholarship winners are available online. Use the following links: