To help Montanans with expected high heating bills this winter, PPL Montana is donating $50,000 to low-income electricity users.

In addition, PPL announced a contribution of $100,000 in Universal System Benefits funds to Energy Share on behalf of PPL Montana and the Colstrip power plant partners.

“By combining PPL Montana’s $50,000 company donation — which is eligible for matching funds from the NorthWestern Energy Challenge Grant program — with the USB contributions, and designating the money for energy assistance, there is now an additional $200,000 available to those Montanans who need extra help this winter,” said Brad Spencer, vice president and chief operating officer for PPL Montana.

Energy Share is a nonprofit group that offers emergency home-heating assistance for consumers who don't qualify for other programs. USB funds are state-mandated contributions that companies can choose to designate for energy conservation, renewable resource projects and applications, or low-income energy assistance.

“People throughout the country are facing rising energy prices, primarily as a result of oil and natural gas price increases,” Spencer said. “As corporate citizens in Montana, it’s important that businesses do what they can to help those who are having problems paying their energy bills this winter.”

PPL Montana employs 500 people and provides among the lowest-priced electricity to Montana consumers. This year, through its community fund program, the company has given $200,000 in support of educational, environmental and economic development initiatives, Spencer said.

PPL Montana, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), has electric generating facilities throughout the state with a combined generating capacity of about 1,200 megawatts, and offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. PPL Montana operates coal-fired plants at Colstrip and Billings, as well as 11 hydroelectric power plants along the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead 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 about the company is available at www.pplmontana.com.