Pa. media groups seek appeal of PPL storm fine case

News organizations are asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling last month that denied public access to records detailing how utility crews responded to a 2011 snowstorm.

The Associated Press and other news organizations filed the request Friday. They argue the lower court erred in applying the state Right-to-Know Law to records about power restoration.

Hundreds of thousands of residents were left in the dark after the October storm. PPL settled with the Public Utility Commission and paid a $60,000 fine.

The Morning Call of Allentown and The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre sought a PPL employee’s anonymous tip letter that claimed a crew was sent to a lower-priority area.

The lower court ruled many records were part of an informal investigation and didn’t have to be disclosed.