ALLENTOWN, PA — PPL Electric Utilities called a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging federal permits for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line “the right decision for millions of people throughout the mid-Atlantic region who will have more reliable electric service because of this project.”

In a ruling on August 30, Judge Richard W. Roberts of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the action filed by several environmental groups seeking to block construction of the project through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

“This ruling affirms the position of the companies and the National Park Service that these permits were issued properly and after thorough study,” said Stephanie Raymond, PPL Electric Utilities vice president of Transmission and Substations. The 145-mile Susquehanna-Roseland line is already under construction elsewhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PPL says the project is needed to keep the regional electric grid reliable, and to prevent overloads of existing power lines. The line is expected to be in service by June 2015.