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SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
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PPL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
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Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth
the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
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materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
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PPL Corporation
Notice of Annual Meeting
April 22, 2005
and
Proxy Statement
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareowners
The Annual Meeting of Shareowners of PPL Corporation
(PPL or the Company) will be held at
Lehigh Universitys Stabler Arena, at the Goodman Campus
Complex located in Lower Saucon Township, outside Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, on Friday, April 22, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. The
Annual Meeting will be held for the purposes stated below and
more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement, and to
transact such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof:
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Election of three directors for a term of three years. |
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Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2005. |
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other
business should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is
the intention of the Board of Directors that the persons named
as proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
After reading the Proxy Statement, please follow the
instructions on the enclosed Proxy for voting over the Internet,
by telephone or by returning your Proxy marked, signed and dated
as soon as possible to assure your representation at the Annual
Meeting. Only shareowners of record at the close of business of
Friday, February 28, 2005, will be entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. If the Annual
Meeting is interrupted or delayed for any reason, the
shareowners attending the adjourned Annual Meeting shall
constitute a quorum and may act upon such business as may
properly come before the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Robert J. Grey |
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Secretary |
March 18, 2005
Proxy Statement
The Companys principal executive offices are located at
Two North Ninth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101, telephone
number 610-774-5151. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
Proxy, solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors, were first
released to shareowners on or about March 18, 2005.
OUTSTANDING STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS
The Board of Directors has established Monday, February 28,
2005, as the record date for shareowners entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting (the Record Date). The transfer books
of the Company will not be closed. The articles of incorporation
of PPL divide its voting stock into two classes: Common and
Preferred. There were no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding
on the Record Date. A total of 189,532,851 shares of common
stock was outstanding on the Record Date. Each outstanding share
of common stock entitles the holder to one vote upon any
business properly presented to the Annual Meeting.
As of February 15, 2005, there are no entities known by the
Company to be the beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more
of any class of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Execution of the Proxy will not affect a shareowners right
to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Any shareowner
giving a Proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it
is voted by giving notice in writing to the Secretary. Shares
represented by Proxy will be voted in accordance with the
instructions given. In the absence of instructions to the
contrary on an executed Proxy, the Proxy solicited hereby will
be voted FOR the election of directors and FOR the ratification
of the appointment of independent auditor. Brokerage firms
generally have the authority to vote customers unvoted
shares on certain routine matters. If your shares
are held in the name of a brokerage firm, the brokerage firm can
vote your shares for the election of directors and for
Proposal 2 if you do not timely provide your Proxy because
these matters are considered routine under the
applicable rules. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not
counted as either yes or no votes.
Full and fractional shares held by the Company for each
participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will be voted by
PPL Services Corporation, as the registered owner of such
shares, in the same manner as shares held of record by that
participant are voted. If a participant owns no shares of
record, full and fractional shares credited to that
participants account will be voted in accordance with the
participants instructions on the Proxy. Shares held in the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not be voted if Proxies are not
returned.
To preserve voter confidentiality, the Company voluntarily
limits access to shareowner voting records to certain designated
employees of PPL Services Corporation. These employees sign a
confidentiality agreement which prohibits them from disclosing
the manner in which a shareowner has voted to any employee of
PPL affiliates or to any other person (except to the Judges of
Election or the person in whose name the shares are registered),
unless otherwise required by law.
Regarding Proposal 1 (Election of Directors), the nominees
receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of
directors to be elected, will be elected. Authority to vote for
any individual nominee can be withheld by writing the number,
which is beside that persons name in the list of nominees,
in the box provided to the right of such list on the
accompanying Proxy or by following the instructions if voting
over the Internet or by telephone. In order to be approved,
Proposal 2 (Ratification of the Appointment of Independent
Auditor) must receive a majority of the votes cast, in person or
by proxy, by the shareowners voting as a single class. A meeting
of shareowners of the Company duly called shall not be organized
for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. The
presence of shareowners entitled to cast at least a majority of
the votes that all shareowners are entitled to cast on a
particular matter to be acted upon at the meeting shall
constitute a quorum for the purposes of consideration and action
on the matter.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PPL has a classified Board of Directors, currently consisting of
nine directors divided into three classes. These classes consist
of three directors whose terms will expire at the
2005 Annual Meeting, three directors whose terms will
expire at the 2006 Annual Meeting, and three directors
whose terms will expire at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
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The nominees this year are Frederick M. Bernthal,
John R. Biggar and Louise K. Goeser. The nominees are
currently serving as directors. Dr. Bernthal and
Mr. Biggar were elected by the Shareowners at the 2002
Annual Meeting, and Ms. Goeser was elected by the Board of
Directors effective April 1, 2003. If elected by the
Shareowners, Dr. Bernthal, Mr. Biggar and
Ms. Goeser would serve until the 2008 Annual Meeting
and until their successors are elected and qualified. Following
the election of these three nominees, there will be nine members
of the Board of Directors, consisting of three classes: three
directors whose terms would expire at the 2006 Annual
Meeting, three directors whose terms would expire at the
2007 Annual Meeting, and three directors whose terms would
expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the
nominees will become unavailable for election, but, if any
nominee should become unavailable prior to the Annual Meeting,
the accompanying Proxy will be voted for the election of such
other person as the Board of Directors may recommend in place of
that nominee.
The Board of Directors
recommends that shareowners vote FOR Proposal 1
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS:
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FREDERICK M. BERNTHAL, 62, is President of Universities
Research Association (URA), a position he has held
since 1994. Located in Washington, D.C., URA is a
consortium of 90 leading research universities engaged in
the construction and operation of major research facilities. URA
is management and operations contractor on behalf of the
U.S. Department of Energy for the Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory. Dr. Bernthal served from 1990 to
1994 as Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation, from
1988 to 1990 as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans,
Environment and Science, and from 1983 to 1988 as a member of
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He received a
Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Valparaiso
University, and a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry from the University
of California at Berkeley. Dr. Bernthal is chair of the
Nuclear Oversight Committee and a member of the Audit and
Executive Committees. He has been a director since 1997. |
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JOHN R. BIGGAR, 60, is Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of PPL Corporation. He also serves as a
director of PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, and as a manager
of PPL Energy Supply, LLC and PPL Transition Bond Company, LLC,
subsidiaries of PPL Corporation. He is a member of the Corporate
Leadership Council, an internal committee comprised of the
senior officers of PPL Corporation. Mr. Biggar joined the
Company in 1969. Before being named to his current position in
2001, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer as well as Vice PresidentFinance. Mr. Biggar
serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Lycoming College.
He earned a bachelors degree in political science from
Lycoming College and a Juris Doctor degree from the College of
Law at Syracuse University. Mr. Biggar has been a director
since 2001. |
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LOUISE K. GOESER, 51, is President and Chief Executive
Officer of Ford of Mexico, a position she has held since January
2005. Ford of Mexico manufactures cars, trucks and related parts
and accessories. Prior to this position, she served as Vice
President, Global Quality for Ford Motor Company, a position she
had held since 1999. In that position, she was responsible for
ensuring superior quality in the design, manufacture, sale and
service of all Ford cars, trucks and components worldwide. Prior
to 1999, she served as Vice President for Quality at Whirlpool
Corporation, and served in various leadership positions with
Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Ms. Goeser received a
bachelors degree in mathematics from Pennsylvania State
University and a masters degree in business administration
from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a member of the
Nuclear Oversight Committee and has been a director since 2003. |
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DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE:
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JOHN W. CONWAY, 59, is Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Holdings, Inc. of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a position he has held since
February 2001. Prior to that time, he served as President and
Chief Operating Officer. Crown is a leading international
manufacturer of packaging products for consumer goods.
Mr. Conway joined Crown in 1991 as a result of its
acquisition of Continental Can International Corporation. Prior
to 1991, he served as President of Continental Can and in
various other management positions. Mr. Conway is the
past-Chairman of the Can Manufacturers Institute. He received
his B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and his
law degree from Columbia Law School. He is a member of the
Compensation and Corporate Governance and Finance Committees. He
has been a director since 2000; his term ends in 2006. |
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E. ALLEN DEAVER, 69, retired in 1998 as Executive
Vice President and a director of Armstrong World Industries,
Inc., of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is a director of the
Geisinger Health System. He graduated from the University of
Tennessee with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Deaver
is chair of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
and a member of the Executive, Finance and Nuclear Oversight
Committees. He also serves as the presiding director who chairs
executive sessions of the independent directors. He has been a
director since 1991; his term ends in 2006. |
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WILLIAM F. HECHT, 62, is Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of PPL Corporation. He also serves as a
director of PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and as a manager
of PPL Energy Supply, LLC, subsidiaries of PPL Corporation.
Mr. Hecht received a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical
Engineering from Lehigh University, and joined PPL in 1964. He
was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 1991 and
has served in his present position since 1993. Mr. Hecht is
a director of DENTSPLY International Inc., the Federal Reserve
Bank of Philadelphia and RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., and serves
on the board of a number of civic and charitable organizations.
He is chair of the Executive Committee and chair of the
Corporate Leadership Council, an internal committee comprised of
the senior officers of PPL Corporation. Mr. Hecht has been
a director since 1990; his term ends in 2007. |
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STUART HEYDT, 65, retired in 2000 as Chief Executive
Officer of the Geisinger Health System, a position he held since
1991. He is past president and a Distinguished Fellow of the
American College of Physician Executives. Dr. Heydt
attended Dartmouth College and received an M.D. from the
University of Nebraska. He is chair of the Audit Committee and a
member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance, Executive
and Nuclear Oversight Committees. Dr. Heydt has been a
director since 1991; his term ends in 2007. |
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W. KEITH SMITH, 70, served as Vice Chairman of
Mellon Financial Corporation and Senior Vice Chairman of Mellon
Bank, N.A., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as a director
of both organizations, until his retirement in December 1998.
Mr. Smith also is a director of DENTSPLY International Inc.
He currently serves on the board of West Penn Allegheny Health
System, Allegheny General Hospital, Invesmart, Inc., Baytree
Bancorp., Inc., Baytree National Bank and Trust Co., and
Robert Morris University. Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of
Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan, his M.B.A.
from the University of Western Ontario, and is a Chartered
Accountant. He is chair of the Finance Committee and a member of
the Audit Committee. Mr. Smith has been a director since
2000; his term ends in 2007. |
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SUSAN M. STALNECKER, 52, is Vice PresidentGovernment and Consumer Markets, DuPont Safety &
Protection of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, of
Wilmington, Delaware. Before being named to her current position
on January 1, 2003, she served as Vice PresidentFinance and Treasurer since 1998. DuPont delivers science-based
solutions for markets that make a difference in peoples
lives in food and nutrition; healthcare; apparel; home and
construction; electronics; and transportation.
Ms. Stalnecker serves on the board of Duke University and
is president of the Board of Trustees of the Delaware Art
Museum. Ms. Stalnecker received a bachelors degree
from Duke University and her M.B.A. from the Wharton School of
Graduate Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a
member of the Audit and Finance Committees. She has been a
director since December 2001; her term ends in 2006. |
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Board of Directors
Attendance. The Board of Directors met six times
during 2004. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings
held by the Board and its Committees during the year. The
average attendance of directors at Board and Committee meetings
held during 2004 was 97%. Directors are expected to attend all
meetings of the Board, its Committees and shareowners. All
directors attended the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.
Independence of Directors. At its January 2005
meeting, the Board determined that all of its non-employee
directors are independent from the Company and management under
the categorical standard of independence of the Company and
under applicable New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
listing standards. In reaching this conclusion, the Board
considered all transactions and relationships between each
director or any member of his or her immediate family and the
Company and its subsidiaries. Under the categorical standard of
independence that the Board adopted for the Company:
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Business transactions between the Company (and its subsidiaries)
and a directors employer or the employer of the
directors immediate family member, as defined
by the rules of the NYSE, not involving more than 2% of the
employers consolidated gross revenues in any fiscal year,
will not impair the directors independence. |
Also, pursuant to NYSE standards, a director is not independent
from the Company and management if, within the last three years,
the director or an immediate family member of the director:
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Is or has been an employee of the Company (and its
subsidiaries), in the case of the director, or is or has been an
executive officer of the Company (and its subsidiaries), in the
case of an immediate family member of the director; |
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Has received more than $100,000 in direct compensation from the
Company (and its subsidiaries) in any year (excluding director
or committee fees); |
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Is or was a partner or employee of any of the auditors of the
Company, subject to certain exceptions; |
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Is or was employed as an executive officer of another company
where any of the Companys present executive officers at
the same time serves or served on the other companys
compensation committee; or |
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Is a current employee, in the case of the director, or is a
current executive officer, in the case of an immediate family
member, of a company that has made payments to, or received
payments from, the |
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Company for property or services in an amount which exceeds the
greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other companys
consolidated gross revenues. |
In addition to the independence requirements set forth above,
the Board evaluates additional independence requirements under
applicable Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) rules for directors who are
members of the audit committee. If determined to be independent
pursuant to the standards set forth above, a director also will
be deemed to be independent for purposes being a member of the
audit committee if:
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The director does not directly or indirectly, including through
certain family members, receive any consulting, advisory or
other compensatory fee from the Company (and its subsidiaries)
except in such persons capacity as a director or committee
member; and |
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The director is not an affiliated person of the
Company (or any of its subsidiaries), meaning that the director
does not directly or indirectly (through one or more
intermediaries) control, is not controlled by or is not under
common control with the Company (and its subsidiaries), all
within the meaning of applicable securities laws. |
Executive Sessions; Presiding Director. The
independent directors meet in regular executive sessions during
each Board meeting without management present. The Board has
designated E. Allen Deaver as the presiding director to
chair these executive sessions.
Guidelines for Corporate Governance. In January
2005, the Company enhanced its Guidelines for Corporate
Governance. The full text of the Guidelines can
be found in the Corporate Governance section of the
Companys Web site
(www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm), and is
available in print, without charge, to any shareowner who
requests a copy.
Communications with the Board. Shareowners or other
parties interested in communicating with the presiding director,
with the Board or with the independent directors as a group may
write to the Presiding Director or the Board of Directors
c/o Corporate Secretarys Office, PPL Corporation,
Two North Ninth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101. The
Secretary of the Company forwards all correspondence to the
respective Board members, with the exception of commercial
solicitations, advertisements or obvious junk mail.
Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing
matters are to be immediately brought to the attention of the
Companys Office of Business Ethics and Compliance and are
handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit
Committee with respect to such matters.
Code of Ethics. The Company maintains its
Standards of Conduct and Integrity, which are applicable to all Board members and employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries, including the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal
accounting officer of the Company. The full text of the Standards can be found in the Corporate Governance
section of the Companys Web site (www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm), and is
available in print, without charge, to any shareowner who
requests a copy.
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has five standing committeesthe
Executive, Compensation and Corporate Governance, Finance,
Nuclear Oversight and Audit Committees. Each non-employee
director usually
serves on one or more of these committees. The Compensation and
Corporate Governance, Finance, Nuclear
Oversight and Audit Committees are composed entirely of
independent directors. The charters of each
of these committees are available in the Corporate Governance
section of the Companys Web
site (www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm), and are
available in print, without charge, to any shareowner who
requests a copy.
Executive Committee. During the periods
between Board meetings, the Executive Committee may exercise all
of the powers of the Board of Directors, except that the
Executive Committee may not elect directors, change the
membership of or fill vacancies in the Executive Committee, fix
the compensation of the directors, change the Bylaws, or take
any action restricted by the Pennsylvania Business Corporation
Law or the Bylaws (including actions committed to another Board
committee). The Executive Committee met six times in 2004. The
members of the Executive Committee are Mr. Hecht (chair),
Drs. Bernthal and Heydt and Mr. Deaver.
Compensation and Corporate Governance
Committee. The principal functions of the
Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
(C&CGC) are to review and evaluate at least
annually the performance
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of the chief executive officer and other senior officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries, and to set their remuneration,
including incentive awards; to identify and recommend to the
Board of Directors candidates for election to the Board; to
review the fees paid to outside directors for their services on
the Board of Directors and its Committees; to establish and
administer programs for evaluating the performance of Board
members; and to review managements succession planning.
Another principal committee function is to develop and recommend
to the Board corporate governance guidelines for the Company.
All of the members of the C&CGC are independent within the
meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE, the rules of the
SEC and the Internal Revenue Service, and the Companys
standards of independence described above under the heading of
Independence of Directors. This committee met four
times in 2004. The members of the C&CGC are Mr. Deaver
(chair), Mr. Conway and Dr. Heydt.
The C&CGC establishes guidelines for new directors and
evaluates director candidates. In considering candidates, the
C&CGC seeks individuals who possess strong personal and
professional ethics, high standards of integrity and values,
independence of thought and judgment and who have senior
corporate leadership experience. The Company believes that prior
business experience is valuable, and it seeks to have certain
prior experience on the Board, such as financial, operating and
nuclear.
In addition, the C&CGC seeks individuals who have a broad
range of demonstrated abilities and accomplishments beyond
corporate leadership. These abilities include the skill and
expertise sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance with
respect to all of the Companys operations and interests.
Finally, the C&CGC seeks individuals who are capable of
devoting the required amount of time to serve effectively,
including preparation time and attendance at Board, Committee
and shareowner meetings.
Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the
Board of Directors or the C&CGC or by any shareowner
entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. If the
C&CGC or management identifies a need to add a new Board
member to fulfill a special need or to fill a vacancy, the
C&CGC usually retains a third-party search firm to identify
a candidate or candidates. The C&CGC seeks prospective
nominees through personal referrals, independent inquiries by
directors and search firms.
Once the C&CGC has identified a prospective nominee, it
generally requests the third-party search firm to gather
additional information about the prospective nominees
background and experience. The Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer and at least one member of the C&CGC then
interview the prospective candidates in person. After completing
the interview and evaluation process, which includes evaluating
the prospective nominee against the standards and qualifications
set out in the Companys Guidelines for Corporate
Governance, the C&CGC makes a recommendation to the full
Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board.
The Board then votes on whether to approve the nominees after
considering the recommendation and report of the C&CGC.
Shareowners interested in recommending nominees for directors
should submit their recommendations in writing to: Secretary, PPL Corporation, Two North Ninth
Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101. In order to be considered, nominations by shareowners must be received
by the Company 75 days prior to the 2006 Annual Meeting and must contain the information required by the
Bylaws, such as the name and address of the shareowner making the nomination and of the proposed
nominees and certain other information concerning the shareowner and the nominee. The exact procedures
are included in the Companys Bylaws, which can be found at the Corporate Governance section of the
Companys Web site (www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm).
Finance Committee. The principal functions of
the Finance Committee are to approve specific Company financings
and corporate financial policies; to authorize capital
expenditures in excess of the Companys annual business
plan; to authorize acquisitions and dispositions in excess of
$5 million; and to review, approve and monitor the policies
and practices of the Company and its subsidiaries in managing
financial risk. All of the members of this Committee are
independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the
NYSE and the Companys standards of independence described
above under the heading Independence of Directors.
The Finance Committee met five times in 2004. The members of the
Finance Committee are Mr. Smith (chair),
Messrs. Conway and Deaver and Ms. Stalnecker.
Nuclear Oversight Committee. The principal
functions of the Nuclear Oversight Committee are to assist the
Board of Directors in the fulfillment of its responsibilities
for oversight of the Companys nuclear function; to advise
Company management on nuclear matters; and to provide advice and
recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the future
direction of the Company and management performance related to
the
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nuclear function. All of the members of this Committee are
independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the
NYSE and the Companys standards of independence described
above under the heading of Independence of
Directors. The Nuclear Oversight Committee met three times
in 2004. The members of the Nuclear Oversight Committee are
Dr. Bernthal (chair), Mr. Deaver, Ms. Goeser and
Dr. Heydt.
Audit Committee. The primary function of the
Audit Committee is to assist the Companys Board of
Directors in the oversight of: (i) the integrity of the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries;
(ii) the Companys compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements; (iii) the independent
auditors qualifications and independence; and
(iv) the performance of the Companys independent
auditor and internal audit function. The Charter of the Audit
Committee, which specifies the Audit Committees
responsibilities, is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Schedule A and is available on the Companys Web site
(www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm). The
Audit Committee met six times during 2004. The members of the
Audit Committee are non-employees of the Company, and the Board
of Directors has determined that each of its Audit Committee
members has met the independence and expertise requirements of
the NYSE, the SEC and the Companys independence standards
described above under the heading Independence of
Directors. The members of the Audit Committee are
Dr. Heydt (chair), Dr. Bernthal, Mr. Smith and
Ms. Stalnecker. The Companys Board of Directors has
determined that Mr. Smith is an audit committee financial
expert for purposes of the rules and regulations of the SEC.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling
its oversight responsibilities with respect to the integrity of
the Companys financial statements. Company management is
responsible for the preparation and integrity of the
Companys financial statements, the financial reporting
process and the associated system of internal controls.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Companys independent
auditor, is responsible for auditing the Companys annual
financial statements in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and expressing an
opinion as to the conformity of the statements with generally
accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committees
responsibility is to monitor and review these processes. The
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management and the independent auditor.
The independent auditor is ultimately accountable to the Audit
Committee, which has the sole authority to select, evaluate and
replace the independent auditor and to approve all audit
engagement fees and terms. The Audit Committee has discussed
with the independent auditor the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communication with Audit Committees, as amended,
including the appropriateness and application of accounting
principles.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the
letter from its independent auditor required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, and has had discussions
with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP about its independence. The
Audit Committee also considered whether the provision of
non-audit services by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is compatible
with maintaining the independence of such independent auditor.
In the performance of its responsibilities, the Audit Committee
met periodically with the internal auditor and the independent
auditor, with and without management present, to discuss the
results of their examinations, their evaluations of the
Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed managements
assessment of internal controls relating to the adequacy and
effectiveness of financial reporting. The Audit Committee has
also discussed with Company management, the internal auditor and
the independent auditor the process utilized in connection with
the certifications of the Companys principal executive
officer and principal financial officer. These certifications
are required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC
rules for the Companys annual and quarterly filings with
the SEC.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the
Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004.
The Audit Committee has a Committee Charter that specifies its
responsibilities. The Committee Charter, which has been approved
by the Board of Directors, is attached to this Proxy Statement
as Schedule A and is
7
available on the Companys Web site
(www.pplweb.com/about/corporate+governance.htm). The
Audit Committees procedures and practices comply with the
requirements of the SEC and the NYSE applicable to corporate
audit committees.
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart Heydt, Chair
Frederick M. Bernthal
W. Keith Smith
Susan M. Stalnecker |
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are Company employees receive no separate
compensation for service on the Board of Directors or Committees
of the Board of Directors. Non-employee directors receive a
retainer of $85,000 per year, of which a minimum of $55,000
(Mandatory Deferral) is allocated to a deferred
stock account under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan
(DDCP). Effective January 1, 2004, each
non-employee director received a one-time additional retainer
fee, equal to 3,500 deferred stock units, as a Mandatory
Deferral. Any new director joining the Board of Directors in the
future also would receive these same deferred stock units. Such
deferred stock units have a 5-year restriction period and are
subject to forfeiture if the director leaves the Board of
Directors before the end of this restriction period. Each
non-employee director also receives a fee of $1,500 for
attending Board of Directors meetings, Committee meetings and
other meetings at the Companys request, and a fee of $200
for participating in meetings held by telephone conference call.
Committee Chairs receive an annual cash retainer of $5,000 for
the Committees that they chair, and the Presiding Director
receives an annual cash retainer of $30,000.
Pursuant to the DDCP, non-employee directors may elect to defer
all or any part of the fees and any retainer that is not part of
the Mandatory Deferral. Under this plan, these directors can
defer compensation other than the Mandatory Deferral into a
deferred cash account or stock account. Payment of these amounts
and accrued interest or dividends is deferred until after the
directors retirement from the Board of Directors, at which
time they can receive these funds in one or more annual
installments for a period of up to ten years.
Under the terms of the DDCP, any increase in the annual retainer
is automatically allocated to each directors deferred
stock account. As with the other DDCP benefits, this additional
deferred stock together with accrued dividends is available to
the directors after retirement from the Board, at which time
they can receive this stock in one or more annual installments
for a period of up to ten years.
Stock Ownership
The following table sets forth certain ownership of the
Companys stock as of January 3, 2005, unless
otherwise noted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
of | |
Name |
|
Owned(1) | |
|
Class(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
F. M. Bernthal
|
|
|
22,994 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
J. R. Biggar
|
|
|
208,358 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
P. T. Champagne
|
|
|
102,336 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
J. W. Conway
|
|
|
15,135 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
E. A. Deaver
|
|
|
26,663 |
(7),(8) |
|
|
* |
|
L. K. Goeser
|
|
|
5,757 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
W. F. Hecht
|
|
|
1,007,501 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
S. Heydt
|
|
|
24,651 |
(8),(11) |
|
|
* |
|
J. H. Miller
|
|
|
118,682 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
R. L. Petersen
|
|
|
81,201 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
W. K. Smith
|
|
|
16,961 |
(14) |
|
|
* |
|
S. M. Stalnecker
|
|
|
7,569 |
(15) |
|
|
* |
|
All 18 executive officers and directors as a group
|
|
|
2,013,193 |
(16) |
|
|
1.06% |
|
8
|
|
|
|
1 |
The number of shares owned includes: (i) shares directly
owned by certain relatives with whom directors or officers share
voting or investment power; (ii) shares held of record
individually by a director or officer or jointly with others or
held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee for such
individuals account; (iii) shares in which certain
directors or officers maintain exclusive or shared investment or
voting power, whether or not the securities are held for their
benefit; and (iv) with respect to executive officers,
shares held for their benefit by the Trustee under the Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). |
|
|
2 |
A * denotes less than 1.0%. |
|
|
3 |
Consists of 22,994 shares credited to his deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
|
4 |
Includes 161,883 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the Companys Incentive Compensation Plan
(ICP), and 8,430 restricted stock units. |
|
|
5 |
Includes 38,523 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the ICP, and 8,790 restricted stock units. |
|
|
6 |
Includes 13,944 shares credited to his deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
|
7 |
Includes 22,842 shares credited to his deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
|
8 |
Includes additional deferred stock credited to their accounts in
connection with the termination of the Directors Retirement Plan
in 1996, as follows: Mr. Deaver2,112 shares and
Dr. Heydt1,575 shares. |
|
|
9 |
Includes 5,653 shares credited to her deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
|
10 |
Includes 760,710 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the ICP, and 34,030 restricted stock units. |
|
11 |
Includes 23,076 shares credited to his deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
12 |
Includes 72,151 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the ICP, and 9,210 restricted stock units. |
|
13 |
Includes 32,897 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the ICP, and 8,150 restricted stock units. |
|
14 |
Includes 14,961 shares credited to his deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
15 |
Includes 7,443 shares credited to her deferred stock
account under the DDCP. |
|
16 |
Includes 1,319,885 shares which may be acquired within
60 days upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the ICP, 97,060 restricted stock units and 114,601 shares
credited to the directors deferred stock accounts under
the DDCP. |
During 2004, the Company implemented the Executive Equity
Ownership Program (Equity Guidelines). The Equity
Guidelines provide that executive officers should maintain
levels of ownership of Company common stock ranging in value
from two times to five times base salary, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple of | |
|
|
Base | |
Executive Officer |
|
Salary | |
|
|
| |
Chairman, President & CEO
|
|
|
5x |
|
Executive Vice Presidents
|
|
|
3x |
|
Senior Vice Presidents
|
|
|
2x |
|
Presidents of certain operating subsidiaries
|
|
|
2x |
|
Executive officers with more than five years of service in their
executive or non-executive officer position with the Company are
expected to achieve their minimum Equity Guidelines level by
December 31, 2005. Executive officers with less than five
years of service at a guideline level must attain their minimum
Equity Guidelines level by the end of their five-year
anniversary at that level. Until the minimum Equity Guidelines
level is achieved, executive officers are expected to retain in
Common Stock (or Common Stock units) 100% of the profit realized
from the vesting of restricted stock and stock units and the
exercise of options (net of taxes and, in the case of options,
the exercise price). To assist the executive officers in
achieving or surpassing their minimum Equity Guidelines level,
the Company implemented the Cash Incentive Premium Exchange
Program (Premium Exchange Program). Under this
program, executives may elect to defer all or a portion of their
annual cash incentive award in exchange for restricted stock
units equal in value at the time of the grant to 140% of the
cash amount so deferred (an Exchange). See
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND
9
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION below for more details on this program.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
To the Companys knowledge, the Companys directors
and executives met all filing requirements under
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
Exchange Act) during 2004, except that one
Form 4 (Statement of Changes in Beneficial
Ownership) was filed several days late by Mr. Champagne
with respect to a sale of shares in August 2004.
Retirement Plans for Executive Officers
PPL officers are eligible for benefits under the PPL Retirement
Plan, a defined benefit plan, and the PPL Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (SERP) upon retirement from a PPL
affiliated company. Certain PPL officers are not eligible for
PPL Retirement Plan benefits but are eligible for a defined
benefit pension from a subsidiary company. For purposes of
calculating benefits under the PPL Retirement Plan, the
compensation used is base salary, plus certain cash incentive
awards, less amounts deferred under the PPL Officers Deferred
Compensation Plan. Base salary, including any amounts deferred,
is listed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 12. For
purposes of calculating benefits under the SERP, the
compensation used is base salary, cash bonus, and, in some
cases, the value of any restricted stock grant for the year in
which earned (as described below), as well as dividends paid on
restricted stock. To measure compensation for the last year of
employment prior to retirement, the PPL Retirement Plan and the
SERP use a pro-rated amount of an assumed cash incentive award.
Benefits payable under the PPL Retirement Plan are subject to
limits set forth in the Internal Revenue Code (the
Code) and are not subject to any deduction for
Social Security benefits or any other offset. Benefits are
computed on the basis of the life annuity form of pension at
normal retirement age of 65. The SERP is an unfunded,
non-contributory plan. Unlike the PPL Retirement Plan, the SERP
provides for the inclusion of earnings in excess of the limits
contained in the Code, including deferred incentive
compensation, in the calculation of final average earnings, and
for benefits in excess of the limits provided under the Code.
Except as described above, benefits payable under the SERP are
computed on the same basis as the PPL Retirement Plan and are
offset by PPL Retirement Plan benefits and for those officers
eligible for benefits under the old formula described below, the
maximum Social Security benefit payable at age 65. Benefits
under both plans are reduced for retirement prior to
age 60. Generally, absent a specifically authorized
exception, no benefit is payable under the SERP if years of
credited service are less than 10 years.
10
The following table shows the estimated gross annual retirement
benefits for executive officers payable under the PPL SERP
formula.
Estimated Annual Retirement Benefits
at Normal Retirement Age of 65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Five Year | |
|
Years of Service | |
Average | |
|
| |
Annual | |
|
15 | |
|
20 | |
|
25 | |
|
30 | |
Compensation | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,000 |
|
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
237,500 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
285,000 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
|
|
332,500 |
|
|
|
385,000 |
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
|
380,000 |
|
|
|
440,000 |
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
|
427,500 |
|
|
|
495,000 |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
475,000 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
|
440,000 |
|
|
|
522,500 |
|
|
|
605,000 |
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
570,000 |
|
|
|
660,000 |
|
|
1,400,000 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
|
|
560,000 |
|
|
|
665,000 |
|
|
|
770,000 |
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
640,000 |
|
|
|
760,000 |
|
|
|
880,000 |
|
|
1,800,000 |
|
|
|
540,000 |
|
|
|
720,000 |
|
|
|
855,000 |
|
|
|
990,000 |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
2,200,000 |
|
|
|
660,000 |
|
|
|
880,000 |
|
|
|
1,045,000 |
|
|
|
1,210,000 |
|
|
2,400,000 |
|
|
|
720,000 |
|
|
|
960,000 |
|
|
|
1,140,000 |
|
|
|
1,320,000 |
|
|
2,600,000 |
|
|
|
780,000 |
|
|
|
1,040,000 |
|
|
|
1,235,000 |
|
|
|
1,430,000 |
|
|
2,800,000 |
|
|
|
840,000 |
|
|
|
1,120,000 |
|
|
|
1,330,000 |
|
|
|
1,540,000 |
|
As of January 1, 2005, the years of service under the PPL
Retirement Plan for Messrs. Hecht, Miller, Biggar and
Champagne were 38, 3, 35 and 3, respectively. Mr. Peterson
has a defined benefit from a subsidiary pension plan, which is
estimated to pay him a fixed amount of $7,320 annually beginning
at age 65 and will be an offset to his SERP benefit. The
years of credited service under the SERP for each of these
officers are as follows: Mr. Hecht30 years,
Mr. Miller4, Mr. Biggar30,
Mr. Champagne16, and Mr. Petersen23. The
Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee granted
additional years of service to Mr. Miller as a retention
mechanism under the SERP. Mr. Miller will be granted
additional service up to a maximum of 30 years upon
attainment of age 60. The total SERP benefit will not
increase beyond 30 years for any participant.
For officers hired on or after January 1, 1998, benefits
under the SERP formula were revised as follows:
(i) restricted stock grants are not included in
compensation for purposes of calculating benefits under the
SERP; (ii) the percentage of pay provided as a retirement
benefit was changed from 2.7% for the first 20 years of
service plus 1.0% for the next 10 years, to 2.0% for the
first 20 years and 1.5% for the next 10 years; and
(iii) credit for years of service will commence as of the
employees date of hire instead of age 30.
For officers hired prior to January 1, 1998, benefits under
the SERP are calculated under the greater of the old formula or
the new formula, except that compensation for purposes of the
old formula includes restricted stock grants only to the extent
earned through December 31, 2001, and will be frozen as of
December 31, 2001, and compensation for purposes of the new
formula includes restricted stock grants only to the extent
earned through December 31, 1997.
11
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table summarizes all compensation for the Chief
Executive Officer and the next four most highly compensated
executives (Named Executive Officers) for the last
three fiscal years, for service for PPL and its subsidiaries.
Messrs. Hecht and Biggar also served as directors but
received no separate remuneration in that capacity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Stock | |
|
|
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
Salary(1) | |
|
Bonus(1)(2) | |
|
Compensation(3) | |
|
Award(4) | |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation(5) | |
Position |
|
Year | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
(#) | |
|
($) | |
| |
William F. Hecht
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
1,038,462 |
|
|
|
1,252,200 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,627,008 |
|
|
|
187,290 |
|
|
|
8,928 |
|
|
Chairman, President and |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
988,923 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,537,135 |
|
|
|
195,960 |
|
|
|
8,180 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
731,738 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
477,204 |
|
|
|
202,650 |
|
|
|
7,055 |
|
|
James H. Miller
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
480,308 |
|
|
|
430,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
688,267 |
|
|
|
35,470 |
|
|
|
6,414 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
374,327 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
416,016 |
|
|
|
36,100 |
|
|
|
6,216 |
|
|
and Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
349,771 |
|
|
|
189,175 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
123,032 |
|
|
|
36,260 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
John R. Biggar
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
469,231 |
|
|
|
183,900 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
846,686 |
|
|
|
67,350 |
|
|
|
7,583 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
444,327 |
|
|
|
145,059 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
380,783 |
|
|
|
69,310 |
|
|
|
7,129 |
|
|
and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
419,540 |
|
|
|
280,371 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
168,896 |
|
|
|
68,260 |
|
|
|
6,310 |
|
|
Paul T. Champagne
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
399,692 |
|
|
|
238,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
333,430 |
|
|
|
36,890 |
|
|
|
6,420 |
|
|
President-PPL |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
389,596 |
|
|
|
20,670 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
397,044 |
|
|
|
38,680 |
|
|
|
6,220 |
|
|
EnergyPlus, LLC |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
375,001 |
|
|
|
192,563 |
|
|
|
27,614 |
|
|
|
131,768 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
4,579 |
|
|
Roger L. Petersen
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
354,446 |
|
|
|
213,700 |
|
|
|
7,353 |
|
|
|
295,966 |
|
|
|
31,880 |
|
|
|
35,548 |
|
|
President-PPL Development |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
314,821 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
11,526 |
|
|
|
368,136 |
|
|
|
33,210 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
Company, LLC |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
327,897 |
|
|
|
171,787 |
|
|
|
83,798 |
|
|
|
113,204 |
|
|
|
33,600 |
|
|
|
769 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Salary and bonus data include deferred cash compensation.
Mr. Hecht deferred $104,000 of salary for 2004 and $52,000
of salary in each of 2003 and 2002; Mr. Miller deferred
$47,294 of bonus in 2002; Mr. Champagne deferred $91,000 of
salary in 2004, $84,500 of salary in each of 2003 and 2002, and
$173,306 of bonus in 2002; and Mr. Petersen deferred
$279,446 of salary in 2004, and $246,116 of salary and $85,894
of bonus in 2002. |
|
2 |
Mr. Biggar elected to implement an Exchange of $183,900 of
his cash bonus for 2004 for restricted stock units under the
Premium Exchange Program. Messrs. Hecht, Miller, Biggar,
Champagne and Petersen elected to implement an Exchange of
$744,728, $203,438, $145,059, $186,030 and $178,779,
respectively, of their cash bonus for 2003 for restricted stock
units under the Premium Exchange Program. See description of the
Premium Exchange Program under Stock Ownership
above. The value of these restricted stock units is reflected
under the Restricted Stock Award column of this
table. |
|
3 |
Includes taxable travel expense of $27,614 paid to
Mr. Champagne in 2002, and taxable travel expense paid to
Mr. Petersen of $1,891 in 2004, $11,526 in 2003, and
$22,030 in 2002. Also includes compensation for vacation earned,
but not taken, for Mr. Petersen of $5,462 in 2004 and
$61,768 in 2002. |
|
4 |
The dollar value of restricted common stock awards was
calculated by multiplying the number of shares or units awarded
by the closing price per share or unit on the date of the grant.
As of December 31, 2004, the officers listed in this table
held the following number of shares of restricted common stock
and restricted stock units, with the following values:
Mr. Hecht56,360 ($3,002,861); Mr. Miller44,900 ($2,392,272); Mr. Biggar16,180 ($862,070);
Mr. Champagne44,960 ($2,395,469); and
Mr. Petersen33,400 ($1,779,552). These year-end data
do not include awards made in January 2005 for 2004 performance,
or awards which had originally been restricted and for which the
restriction periods have lapsed or been lifted. Dividends or
dividend equivalents are paid currently on restricted stock
awards. All outstanding restricted stock awards to these
individuals have a restriction period of three years, except for
30,000 shares held by each of Messrs. Champagne and
Miller that are restricted until May 23, 2018 for
Mr. Champagne and October 1, 2008 for Mr. Miller,
and 20,000 shares held by Mr. Petersen that are
restricted until March 13, 2011, under their respective
retention agreements discussed below. |
|
5 |
Includes Company contributions to the Officers Deferred
Savings Plan and the ESOP accounts. Also includes relocation
expenses of $34,048 paid to Mr. Petersen in 2004. |
12
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on stock options
granted to the Named Executive Officers during 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Individual Grants(1) | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Present | |
Name |
|
Granted | |
|
in 2004 | |
|
Base Price | |
|
Date | |
|
Value(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
W. F. Hecht
|
|
|
187,290 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
% |
|
$ |
45.18 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
$ |
2,475,974 |
|
J. H. Miller
|
|
|
35,470 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
45.18 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
|
468,913 |
|
J. R. Biggar
|
|
|
67,350 |
|
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
45.18 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
|
890,367 |
|
P. T. Champagne
|
|
|
36,890 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
45.18 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
|
487,686 |
|
R. L. Petersen
|
|
|
31,880 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
45.18 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
|
421,454 |
|
|
|
1 |
Exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning
January 22, 2005. |
|
2 |
Values indicated are an estimate based on a discounted
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The actual value realized,
if any, will be determined by the excess of the stock price over
the exercise price on the date the option is exercised. There is
no certainty that the actual value realized will be at or near
the value estimated by the discounted Black-Scholes option
pricing model. |
Assumptions used for the discounted Black-Scholes option pricing
model are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.79% |
|
Volatility
|
|
|
32.79% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
3.51% |
|
Time of exercise
|
|
|
10 years |
|
Risk of forfeiture
|
|
|
94.11% |
|
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL
YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table summarizes information for the Named
Executive Officers concerning exercises of stock options during
2004 and the number and value of all unexercised stock options
as of December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Acquired | |
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Exercise | |
|
Realized | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
Name |
|
# | |
|
$ | |
|
# | |
|
# | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
W. F. Hecht
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
565,410 |
|
|
|
385,480 |
|
|
|
10,138,551 |
|
|
|
5,162,226 |
|
J. H. Miller
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,207 |
|
|
|
71,623 |
|
|
|
691,167 |
|
|
|
951,875 |
|
J. R. Biggar
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93,577 |
|
|
|
136,309 |
|
|
|
1,346,964 |
|
|
|
1,812,254 |
|
P. T. Champagne
|
|
|
68,647 |
|
|
|
3,175,932 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
76,009 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,018,282 |
|
R. L. Petersen
|
|
|
51,430 |
|
|
|
2,349,880 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,220 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
871,059 |
|
Value of unexercised options at fiscal year-end represents the
difference between the exercise price of any outstanding
in-the-money option grants and $53.49, the average of the high
and low price of PPL common stock on December 31, 2004.
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into agreements with each of the Named
Executive Officers, which provide benefits to the officers upon
certain terminations of employment following a change in control
of the Company (as such term is defined in the agreements). The
benefits provided under these agreements replace any other
severance benefits provided to these officers by the Company, or
any prior severance agreement.
13
Each of the agreements continues in effect until
December 31, 2006, and the agreements generally are
automatically extended for additional one-year periods. Upon the
occurrence of a change in control, the agreements will expire no
earlier than 36 months after the month in which the change
in control occurs. Each agreement provides that the officer will
be entitled to the severance benefits described below if the
Company terminates the officers employment following a
change in control for any reason other than death, disability,
retirement or cause, or if the officer terminates
employment for good reason (as such terms are
defined in the agreements).
The benefits consist of a lump sum payment equal to three times
the sum of (a) the officers base salary in effect
immediately prior to date of termination, or if higher,
immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or
circumstance constituting good reason, and (b) the highest
annual bonus in respect of the last three fiscal years ending
immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the change in
control occurs, or if higher, the fiscal year immediately prior
to the fiscal year in which first occurs an event or
circumstance constituting good reason. In addition, under the
terms of each agreement, the Company would provide the officer
and dependents with continuation of welfare benefits for the
36-month period following separation (reduced to the extent the
officer receives comparable benefits from another employer), and
would pay the officer unpaid incentive compensation that has
been allocated or awarded for a previous performance period, the
maximum prorated awards for the current performance period, a
lump sum payment having an actuarial present value equal to the
additional pension benefits the officer would have received had
the officer continued to be employed by the Company for an
additional 36 months, outplacement services for up to three
years and a gross-up payment for any excise tax imposed under
the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, under the agreements,
the Company would provide post-retirement health care and life
insurance benefits to officers who would have become eligible
for such benefits within the 36-month period following the
change in control.
In addition, in the event of a change in control, the
restriction period applicable to any outstanding restricted
stock or restricted stock unit awards lapses under the Incentive
Compensation Plan, and all restrictions on the exercise of any
outstanding stock options lapse under the Incentive Compensation
Plan.
RETENTION AGREEMENTS
PPL has executed agreements with Messrs. Champagne, Miller
and Petersen granting Messrs. Champagne and Miller each
30,000 shares of restricted PPL common stock and
Mr. Petersen 20,000 shares of restricted stock. The
restriction period will lapse on May 23, 2018 for
Mr. Champagne, October 1, 2008 for Mr. Miller and
March 13, 2011 for Mr. Petersen. In the event of death
or disability, the restriction period on a prorated portion of
these shares will lapse immediately. In the event of a
change in control of PPL, the restriction period on
all of these shares will lapse immediately if there is an
involuntary termination of employment that is not for
cause (as such terms are defined in the agreements). In
the event Mr. Champagne is terminated for cause
or he terminates his employment with all PPL-affiliated
companies prior to May 23, 2018, all shares of this
restricted stock will be forfeited. In the event Mr. Miller
is terminated for cause or he terminates his
employment with all PPL-affiliated companies prior to
October 1, 2008, all shares of this restricted stock will
be forfeited. In the event Mr. Petersen is terminated
for cause or he terminates his employment with all
PPL-affiliated companies prior to March 13, 2011, all
shares of this restricted stock will be forfeited.
Mr. Miller has a provision in his agreement with the
Company that provides a benefit to supplement the benefit
payable to him under the SERP. This provision utilizes a
theoretical SERP benefit after 30 years of service and
subtracts the actual SERP benefit to yield a benefit amount
under the agreement, but this benefit is forfeited if he fails
to remain employed by the Company until age 60.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
GENERALLY
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board
of Directors of PPL Corporation (PPL or the
Company) establishes compensation and benefit
practices for the executive officers of the Company. This
Committee is comprised entirely of independent outside
directors. For 2004, the Committee reviewed and evaluated the
performance and leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and
the other executive officers who are listed in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 12 (Named Executive
Officers).
14
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The compensation practices for executive officers discussed
below are intended to provide a balance of base salary,
short-term incentive opportunities tied to achievement of
specific corporate performance goals, and long-term awards
intended to promote sustained performance over the medium and
longer-term. During 2004, the annual cash incentive program
continued to be based on objective, measurable goals. Effective
for 2004 performance, the long-term incentive program,
consisting of restricted stock units and stock options, was
restructured to balance focus on sustained medium-term
(three-year) performance goals, strategic objectives and
longer-term growth in shareowner value.
While a meaningful ownership of PPL common stock by executives
has always been an important part of the Companys
compensation philosophy, during 2003 the Committee adopted
specific ownership requirements under the Executive Equity
Ownership Program (Equity Guidelines). The Equity
Guidelines provide that executive officers should maintain
levels of ownership of Company Common Stock ranging in value
from two times to five times base salary. Executive officers are
generally expected to achieve their minimum Equity Guidelines
level by December 31, 2005. Executive officers with less
than five years of service at a particular guideline level must
attain their minimum Equity Guidelines level by the end of their
five-year anniversary at that level. Until the minimum ownership
amount is achieved, executive officers are expected to retain in
Common Stock (or Common Stock units) 100% of the gain realized
from the vesting of restricted stock and stock units and the
exercise of options (net of taxes and, in the case of options,
the exercise price). To assist executive officers in achieving
or surpassing their minimum ownership amount, in 2003 the
Committee adopted the Cash Incentive Premium Exchange Program
(Premium Exchange Program). Under this program,
executives may elect to defer all or a portion of the annual
cash incentive award for restricted stock units equal to 140% of
the amount so deferred (an Exchange). The restricted
stock units are subject to a three-year vesting period, with
only the 40% premium portion subject to forfeiture during the
restriction period. These two programs encourage increased stock
ownership on the part of the executive officers, which further
aligns the interests of management and shareowners.
Other compensation components, including retirement, retention,
when appropriate, and change-in-control benefits, are also
maintained to enhance the companys ability to attract and
retain highly qualified executive talent. These compensation
components are discussed under specific headings elsewhere in
the proxy statement.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Committee reviews the current levels of compensation,
appropriate market reference points and actual performance
against approved goals for the performance period over the
course of two Committee meetings. The Committees
independent, nationally recognized compensation consultant
provides assistance during this evaluation. Additionally, in
making individual pay decisions, the Committee uses the results
of individual evaluations of the Chief Executive Officer by each
independent Board member and evaluations of the other Named
Executive Officers, as well as other executive officers,
conducted by the Chief Executive Officer.
BASE SALARIES
In general, the Committees objective is to provide salary
levels that are sufficiently competitive with comparable
companies to enable the Company to attract and retain
high-quality executive talent. To meet this objective, the
Committee regularly reviews salary information for similar
companies provided by its independent compensation consultant.
In addition, the Committee annually reviews the performance of
each executive officer to determine the appropriate level of
base salary for that executive officer.
The Committee reviewed salary ranges for the Named Executive
Officers by comparing these salary levels with those at
companies of comparable size to the Company in the energy
industry and in general industry.
After reviewing salary data for executive positions at
comparable companies, the actual salaries and the performance of
each of the Named Executive Officers, the Committee made
appropriate salary adjustments for the Chief Executive Officer
and the other Named Executive Officers, effective as of
January 1, 2004.
15
INCENTIVE AWARDS
Short-term IncentiveAnnual Cash Awards
Cash incentive awards are made to executive officers for the
achievement of specific, independent goals established for each
calendar year. For 2004, the following award targets as a
percentage of base salary were established for each executive
officer, including the Named Executive Officers: Chief Executive
Officer100%; Executive Vice Presidents65%; and
Senior Vice President and Presidents of principal operating
subsidiaries50%.
Annual awards are determined by applying these target
percentages to the percentage of goal attainment. The
performance goals for the year are established by the Committee,
and the Committee reviews actual results at year-end to
determine the appropriate goal attainment percentage to apply to
the salary targets.
The goal categories for 2004 included specific financial and
operational measures for the Company and its subsidiaries
designed to enhance the Companys position for success in
the competitive market. The weightings for each of these
categories are generally allocated 60% to the Companys
earnings per share and enhanced shareowner value, and 40% to the
financial and operational performance of the Companys
principal operating subsidiaries. Included in the operating
goals were specific requirements tied to compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In the case of
Messrs. Champagne and Petersen, more weight was given to
the performance of the particular operating subsidiary for which
they are President.
The level of goal attainment was measured at the end of the year
and the category weightings were multiplied by the annual award
target for each position to determine each executive
officers cash award for 2004 performance.
Long-term IncentiveRestricted Stock Unit and Stock
Option Awards
Effective for 2004 performance, the long-term incentive program
was restructured to reduce the weight of stock options and
increase the use of restricted stock, and to adjust the basis on
which restricted stock incentive awards are made.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock incentive awards are based on the achievement
of two components: (i) sustained financial and operational
results and (ii) specific strategic objectives designed to
enable the Company to continue to provide value to its
shareholders. Sustained financial and operational achievement
was determined by averaging the most recent three years of
annual performance measures used for the annual cash awards.
Strategic objectives were related to increasing shareowner value
through implementation of certain long-term corporate
initiatives, including actions to influence the evolution of
government policies toward more competitive markets, develop an
internal corporate structure to optimize PPLs wholesale
hedging strategy, develop and retain management skills, and
establish the financial profile necessary to optimize growth
opportunities when the wholesale electricity markets strengthen.
Awards are made in the form of restricted stock units equivalent
to the dollar value of the percentage applied to base pay in
effect at the end of the year. Because of the three-year
restriction period, this type of equity award encourages
executive officers to continue their service at the Company.
This program also encourages increased stock ownership on the
part of the executives and aligns the interests of management
and shareowners.
Stock Option Awards
The Committee may grant the executive officers options to
purchase shares of the Companys common stock in the
future. Because the exercise price for these options is based on
the market price of the stock at the time of the grant, the
ultimate value received by the option holders is directly tied
to increases in the stock price. Therefore, stock options serve
to closely link the interests of management and shareowners and
motivate executives to make decisions that will serve to
increase the long-term shareowner value. Additionally, the
option grants include vesting and termination provisions that
are designed to encourage the option holders to remain employees
of the Company.
16
The following long-term incentive award targets as a percentage
of base salary were established for each executive officer:
Long-term Incentive Program
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Restricted Stock Units | |
|
Stock Options | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Targets as % of Salary) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Sustained | |
|
|
|
|
Financial and | |
|
|
|
|
Operational | |
|
Strategic | |
|
Stock Price | |
Name and Position |
|
Results | |
|
Objective Results | |
|
Performance | |
| |
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
75 |
% |
|
|
75 |
% |
|
|
150 |
% |
|
Executive Vice Presidents
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
120 |
% |
|
Senior Vice President and Presidents of principal operating
subsidiaries
|
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
80 |
% |
|
* * * * * *
Based on its review of the incentive goals achieved for 2004,
the Committee in January 2005 made the following incentive
awards for each Named Executive Officer:
2004 Short-term Incentive Cash Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cash Incentive Awards | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Performance | |
|
|
Name and Position |
|
Attained | |
|
Cash Bonus | |
| |
William F. Hecht
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
120.4 |
% |
|
$ |
1,252,200 |
|
|
James H. Miller
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
120.4 |
% |
|
$ |
430,400 |
|
|
John R. Biggar
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
120.4 |
% |
|
$ |
367,800 |
* |
|
Paul T. Champagne
President-PPL EnergyPlus, LLC
|
|
|
119.4 |
% |
|
$ |
238,800 |
|
|
Roger L. Petersen
President-PPL Development Company, LLC
|
|
|
120.4 |
% |
|
$ |
213,700 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Mr. Biggar elected to implement an Exchange of $183,900 for
4,830 restricted stock units under the terms of the Premium
Exchange Program described above. |
17
2004 Long-term Incentive Restricted Stock Unit and Stock
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Restricted Stock Unit | |
|
|
|
|
Incentive Awards | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Sustained Financial & | |
|
Strategic Objective | |
|
|
|
|
Operational Results | |
|
Results | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Stock | |
|
|
Performance | |
|
Award | |
|
Performance | |
|
Award | |
|
Option | |
Name and Position |
|
Attained | |
|
Value | |
|
Attained | |
|
Value | |
|
Awards | |
| |
William F. Hecht
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
107.8 |
% |
|
$ |
840,856 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
780,072 |
|
|
|
187,290 |
|
|
James H. Miller
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
107.8 |
% |
|
$ |
355,644 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
330,051 |
|
|
|
35,470 |
|
|
John R. Biggar
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
107.8 |
% |
|
$ |
303,924 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
282,063 |
|
|
|
67,350 |
|
|
Paul T. Champagne
President-PPL EnergyPlus, LLC
|
|
|
107.8 |
% |
|
$ |
172,224 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
159,960 |
|
|
|
36,890 |
|
|
Roger L. Petersen
President-PPL Development Company, LLC
|
|
|
107.8 |
% |
|
$ |
153,028 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
141,831 |
|
|
|
31,880 |
|
|
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
In establishing Mr. Hechts 2004 salary, the Committee
reviewed the salaries of the chief executive officers of the
comparison companies referenced above. As a result of this
review and directors appraisals of Mr. Hechts
performance, the Committee set his salary at $1,040,000,
effective January 1, 2004.
Based on the Companys performance on the specific
corporate financial and operational goals and strategic
objectives discussed above, Mr. Hecht received the cash and
restricted stock unit awards outlined in the tables above. His
cash award was equal to approximately 120% of his salary, and
his restricted stock unit awards were equal to approximately
156% of his salary and were comprised of 81% for sustained
financial and operational results and 75% for strategic
objective results. In addition, Mr. Hecht was granted stock
options in 2004, as described above.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, generally provides that publicly held corporations may
not deduct in any taxable year certain compensation in excess of
$1,000,000 paid to the chief executive officer and the next four
most highly compensated executive officers. Performance-based
compensation in excess of $1,000,000 is deductible if certain
criteria are met, including shareowner approval of applicable
plans. In this regard, the Companys Short-term Incentive
Plan is designed to enable the Company to make cash awards to
officers that are deductible under Section 162(m);
similarly, the Companys Incentive Compensation Plan
enables the Company to make stock option awards under that Plan
that are deductible under Section 162(m). Restricted stock
awards granted based on sustained financial and operational
results may qualify as performance-based compensation under the
terms of Section 162(m). The Committee generally seeks ways
to limit the impact of Section 162(m). However, the
Committee believes that the tax deduction limitation should not
compromise the Companys ability to establish and implement
incentive programs that support the compensation objectives
discussed above. Accordingly, achieving these objectives
18
and maintaining required flexibility in this regard may result
in compensation that is not deductible for federal income tax
purposes.
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The Compensation and Corporate |
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Governance Committee |
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E. Allen Deaver, Chair
John W. Conway
Stuart Heydt |
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph depicts the performance of the
Companys common stock over the past five years. For
comparison purposes, two other indices are also shown. The
Standard & Poors 500® Index provides some
indication of the performance of the overall stock market, and
the EEI Index of Investor-owned Electric Utilities reflects the
performance of electric utility stocks generally. The EEI Index
is a comprehensive, widely recognized industry index that
includes approximately 64 investor-owned domestic electric
utility companies.
COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
For PPL Corporation, S&P 500® Index, and
EEI Index of Investor-owned Electric Utilities*
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12/31/99 | |
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12/31/00 | |
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12/31/01 | |
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12/31/02 | |
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12/31/03 | |
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12/31/04 | |
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PPL Corporation
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100.00 |
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204.94 |
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162.30 |
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168.30 |
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220.49 |
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277.85 |
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S&P 500® Index
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100.00 |
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90.90 |
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80.09 |
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62.39 |
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80.29 |
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89.03 |
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EEI Index of Investor-owned Electric Utilities
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100.00 |
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147.97 |
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134.96 |
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115.08 |
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142.10 |
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174.56 |
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* |
Assumes investing $100 on December 31, 1999, and
reinvesting dividends in PPL common stock,
S&P 500® Index and EEI Index of Investor-owned
Electric Utilities. |
19
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors has
appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to serve
as independent auditor for the year ending December 31,
2005, for PPL and its subsidiaries. Services provided to PPL and
its subsidiaries by PwC in 2004 are described under FEES
TO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR 2004 AND 2003 below.
FEES TO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR 2004 AND 2003
The following table presents fees billed by PwC for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003
for professional services rendered for the audit of the
Companys annual financial statements and for fees billed
for other services rendered by PwC.
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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(In thousands) | |
Audit
fees(a)
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$ |
5,767 |
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$ |
2,238 |
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Audit-related
fees(b)
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162 |
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191 |
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Tax
fees(c)
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792 |
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All other
fees(d)
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7 |
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(a) |
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Includes audit of annual financial statements and review of
financial statements included in the Companys Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and for services in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including
comfort letters and consents for financings and filings made
with the SEC. The 2004 amount also includes approximately
$3.6 million of fees for audits relating to internal
controls over financial reporting as required by
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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(b) |
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Fees for audits of employee benefit plans and consultation to
ensure appropriate accounting and reporting in connection with
various business and financing transactions. |
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(c) |
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Fees for international tax consulting and advisory services. PwC
no longer provides this type of service to the Company or any of
its affiliates. |
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(d) |
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Fees for access to a research database licensed by PwC that
provides authoritative accounting and reporting guidance. |
Approval of Fees. The Audit Committee has procedures
for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be provided by
the independent auditor. The procedures are designed to ensure
the continued independence of the independent auditor. More
specifically, the use of the Companys independent auditor
to perform either audit or non-audit services is prohibited
unless specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee.
As a result of this approval process, the Audit Committee has
established specific categories of services and authorization
levels. All services outside of the specified categories and all
amounts exceeding the authorization levels are reviewed by the
Chair of the Audit Committee, who serves as the Committee
designee to review and approve audit and non-audit related
services during the year. A listing of the approved audit and
non-audit services is reviewed with the full Audit Committee no
later than its next meeting.
The Audit Committee approved 100% of the 2004 and 2003 audit and
non-audit related fees.
* * * * * *
Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if
they want to do so, and they will also be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors has determined that it would be desirable
to request an expression of opinion from the shareowners on the
appointment of PwC. If the shareowners do not ratify the
selection of PwC, the selection of independent auditor will be
reconsidered by the Audit Committee.
The Board of Directors
recommends that shareowners vote FOR Proposal 2
20
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter
is properly brought before the meeting that requires a vote of
the shareowners, it is intended that the persons named as
proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the
Board or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance
with their best judgment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Method and Expense of Solicitation of Proxies. The
cost of soliciting Proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors
will be paid by the Company. In addition to the solicitation by
mail, a number of regular employees may solicit Proxies in
person, over the Internet, by telephone, or facsimile. Brokers,
dealers, banks and their nominees who hold shares for the
benefit of others will be asked to send Proxy material to the
beneficial owners of the shares, and the Company will reimburse
them for their expenses.
Shareowner Proposals for the 2006 Annual Meeting. To
be included in the proxy material for the 2006 Annual Meeting,
any proposal intended to be presented at that Annual Meeting by
a shareowner must be received by the Secretary of the Company no
later than November 18, 2005. To be properly brought before
the Annual Meeting, any proposal must be received not later than
75 days in advance of the date of the 2006 Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Robert J. Grey |
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Secretary |
March 18, 2005
21
PPL Corporation
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Primary Function
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist PPL
Corporations Board of Directors in the oversight of:
(i) the integrity of the financial statements of PPL
Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
Company); (ii) the Companys compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the
independent auditors qualifications and independence; and
(iv) the performance of the Companys independent
auditor and internal audit function. Additionally, the Audit
Committee is responsible for the Report of the Audit Committee
required to be included in the Companys annual proxy
statement.
Membership
The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three directors.
The members of the Audit Committee shall be non-employees of the
Company and shall not have any relationship with the Company
that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from
management and the Company and shall otherwise satisfy the
applicable membership and independence requirements of the New
York Stock Exchange and any applicable requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Meetings
The Audit Committee shall hold a minimum of four regular
meetings each year and at such other times as it may deem
necessary or appropriate.
Responsibilities
The principal duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors are to:
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1. |
Review the performance and audit results of the independent
auditor. The independent auditor is ultimately accountable to
the Audit Committee, which has the sole authority to select,
evaluate and replace the independent auditor, and to approve all
audit engagement fees and terms. The Audit Committee is also
responsible for preapproving all audit and non-audit services to
be provided by the independent auditor, as well as any
significant non-audit relationship with the independent auditor. |
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2. |
Require that the independent auditor submits to the Audit
Committee on a periodic basis a formal written statement
delineating all relationships between the independent auditor
and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees. Additionally, the Audit Committee shall obtain
and review, at least annually, a report by the independent
auditor describing: the independent auditors internal
quality-control procedures; any material issues raised by the
most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of
the independent auditor, or by any inquiry or investigation by
governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding
five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by the independent auditor, and any steps taken to deal with
any such issues. |
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3. |
Engage the independent auditor in a dialogue with the Audit
Committee with respect to any disclosed relationships, services
or fees that may impact the objectivity and independence of the
independent auditor and take appropriate action in response to
such information to satisfy itself of the auditors
independence. The Audit Committee may rely on the accuracy and
completeness of the information provided by the independent
auditor as to the services provided and fees paid and may rely
on the representations of management in connection with the
Audit Committees consideration of the auditors
independence. |
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4. |
Review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and
quarterly financial statements with management, the independent
auditor, and internal auditor, including the Companys
disclosures under Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and the judgments and acceptability of the application of
accounting principles, unusual transactions, and the impact of
proposed accounting rules, including a discussion of the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees. |
A-1
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Additionally, the Audit Committee shall review and discuss
earnings press releases, as well as financial information and
earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. |
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5. |
Review and determine if a material charge for impairment to one
or more of the Companys assets is required under generally
accepted accounting principles. |
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6. |
Evaluate the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the
Companys system of internal controls and processes by
reviewing audit plans and audit results with the independent
auditor and the internal auditor. This includes reviewing the
results of managements assessment of internal controls
relating to the adequacy and effectiveness of financial
reporting. |
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7. |
Review and evaluate the Companys process for identifying,
assessing and managing business risks and exposures, and discuss
related guidelines and policies. |
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8. |
Review with the independent auditor the scope of the audit and
plan for the independent auditors annual audit prior to
its implementation and review with the independent auditor any
audit problems or difficulties and managements response. |
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9. |
Review the Companys program for compliance with applicable
laws, regulations and standards of integrity. |
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10. |
Review the process and procedures established to raise concerns
confidentially regarding accounting and auditing matters. The
established procedures relate to the receipt, retention and
disposition of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters. |
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11. |
Investigate instances of deviation from established codes of
conduct or procedures that may affect the propriety and accuracy
of the books and records of the Company. |
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12. |
Obtain advice and assistance from independent counsel,
accounting, or other advisors as the Audit Committee determines
is necessary to carry out its duties, at the expense of the
Company. |
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13. |
Review the charter, audit strategy, audit plan, audit results,
audit operations, and the overall effectiveness of the internal
audit function. |
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14. |
Concur in the appointment or removal by management of the
Director Corporate Audit Services and establish
hiring policies for employees or former employees of the
independent auditor. |
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15. |
Meet separately with management, the independent auditor and the
internal auditor on a periodic basis. |
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16. |
Review the process that the Company has in place to satisfy
applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock
Exchange requirements, including preparation of the Report of
the Audit Committee presented in the Companys annual proxy
statement and submission of the Audit Committee Charter in the
Companys annual proxy statement at least once every three
years. |
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17. |
Report highlights of the Audit Committees activities to
the Board of Directors on a regular basis. |
Review of Audit Committee Function and Audit Charter
The Audit Committee shall ensure that there is an annual
performance evaluation of the Audit Committee. Also, the Audit
Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
on an annual basis and recommend any changes to the Board of
Directors.
A-2
For any questions you may have or additional information you may
require about your account, change in stock ownership, dividend
payments and the reinvestment of dividends, please call the
Shareowner Information Line, or write to:
ManagerInvestor Services
PPL Services Corporation
Two North Ninth Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Shareowner Information Line: 800-345-3085
PPL, PPL Energy Supply, LLC and PPL Electric Utilities
Corporation file a joint Form 10-K Report with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form 10-K
Report for 2004 is available without charge by writing to the
Investor Services Department at the address printed above, by
calling the toll-free number, or by accessing it through the
Investor Center page of PPLs Internet Web site identified
below.
Whether you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting or not, you may vote over the Internet, by
telephone or by returning your Proxy. To ensure proper
representation of your shares at the Annual Meeting, please
follow the instructions at the Web site address on your Proxy or
follow the instructions that you will be given after dialing the
toll-free number on your Proxy. You may also mark, date, sign
and mail the accompanying Proxy as soon as possible. An
envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United
States, is included for your convenience.
For the latest information on PPL Corporation,
visit our location on the Internet at
http://www.pplweb.com
PPL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2005
10 A.M.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITYS STABLER ARENA
BETHLEHEM, PA
If you have consented to access the annual report and proxy information electronically, you may
view it by going to PPL Corporations Web site. You can get there by typing in the following
address: http://www.pplweb.com
If you have not previously consented, but would like to access the annual report and proxy
materials electronically next year, please give your consent by going to the following site
address: http://www.econsent.com/ppl/
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PPL Corporation Two |
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North Ninth Street |
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Allentown, PA 18101
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proxy |
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This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on April 22,
2005.
William F. Hecht, John R. Biggar and E. Allen Deaver, and each of them, are hereby appointed
proxies, with the power of substitution, to vote the shares of the undersigned, as directed on the
reverse side of this proxy, at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of PPL Corporation to be held on
April 22, 2005, and any adjournments thereof, and in their discretion to vote and act upon any
other matters as may properly come before said meeting and any adjournments thereof.
The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as
you specify on the reverse side.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted FOR Items 1 and 2.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint William F. Hecht, John R. Biggar and
E. Allen Deaver, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the
matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting
and all adjournments.
See reverse for voting instructions
There are three ways to vote your Proxy
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
VOTE BY PHONE TOLL FREE 1-800-560-1965 QUICK «««
EASY ««« IMMEDIATE
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Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until
12:00 noon (CT) on April 21, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number
available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. |
VOTE BY INTERNET http://www.eproxy.com/ppl/ QUICK ««« EASY ««« IMMEDIATE
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Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 noon
(CT) on April 21, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number
available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic
ballot. |
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope weve provided or
return it to PPL Corporation, c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64859, St. Paul, MN
55164-0859.
If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do NOT mail your Proxy Card
ò Please detach here ò
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.
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1. Election of directors:
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01 Frederick M. Bernthal
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03 Louise K. Goeser
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Vote FOR
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Vote WITHHELD |
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02 John R. Biggar
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all nominees
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from all nominees |
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(except as marked) |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any
indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in
the box provided to the right.)
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2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor
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o
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For
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Against
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Abstain |
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Date |
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Address Change? Mark Box o Indicate changes below:
Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your
name(s)
appears on Proxy. If held in
joint tenancy, all persons
must sign. Trustees,
administrators, etc., should
include title and authority.
Corporations should provide
full name of corporation and
title of authorized officer
signing the proxy.
Admission Ticket
PPL Corporation Annual Meeting of Shareowners
10 a.m., April 22, 2005
Lehigh Universitys Stabler Arena
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
March 18, 2005
Dear Shareowner,
It is a pleasure to invite you to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting
of Shareowners, which will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday,
April 22, 2005, at Lehigh Universitys Stabler Arena,
at the Goodman Campus Complex, located in Lower Saucon Township
outside Bethlehem. For your convenience, a map showing our
meeting location is printed on the back of this ticket.
Detailed information as to the business to be transacted at the
meeting is contained in the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting and Proxy Statement. We will conclude the formal portion
of the meeting with a discussion of the companys
operations, and a question-and-answer period will follow.
We hope you will be able to attend in person. If you plan to
attend the meeting, please bring this admission ticket with you
to the meeting. Please follow the instructions on the enclosed
proxy card for voting over the Internet, by telephone or by
returning your proxy. If you are unable to attend the meeting
but have any questions or comments on the companys
operations, we would like to hear from you.
Your vote is important. Whether you own one share or many,
please vote as soon as possible so that you will be represented
at the meeting in accordance with your wishes.
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Sincerely, |
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William F. Hecht |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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PPL CORPORATION
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (ESOP)
CONFIDENTIAL BALLOT
This is a ballot for voting your shares of PPL Corporation Common Stock held in the ESOP Plan.
Please complete the ballot and return in the envelope provided or vote by phone or the Internet.
Mellon Bank, N.A., as Trustee of the Plan, will vote shares held in your ESOP Account as directed
on the ballot at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of PPL Corporation to be held on April 22, 2005.
If you do not return your ballot, or return it unsigned, or do not vote by phone or Internet,
the Plan provides that the Trustee will vote your shares in the same percentage as shares held by
participants for which the Trustee has received timely voting instructions.
Please review the information carefully and indicate how you wish your shares to be voted at
the Annual Meeting. Mark, sign, date and use the return envelope for mailing your ballot (if you do
not vote by phone or Internet) to Mellon Banks agent for tabulation. Timely receipt of your
instructions on a signed ballot form or by phone or Internet is extremely important.
This ballot must be received by the close of business on April 18, 2005 in order for your vote
to be counted.
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Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) |
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Admission Ticket
PPL Corporation Annual Meeting of Shareowners
10 a.m., April 22, 2005
Lehigh Universitys Stabler Arena
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
March 18, 2005
Dear Shareowner,
It is a pleasure to invite you to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareowners, which will be
held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2005, at Lehigh Universitys Stabler Arena, at the Goodman
Campus Complex, located in Lower Saucon Township outside Bethlehem.
Detailed information as to the business to be transacted at the meeting is contained in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. We will conclude the formal portion of
the meeting with a discussion of the companys operations and a question-and-answer period will
follow.
We hope you will be able to attend in person. If you plan to attend the meeting, please detach
and bring this admission ticket with you to the meeting. Please follow the instructions on the
ballot card for voting over the Internet, by telephone or by detaching and returning your ballot.
If you are unable to attend the meeting but have any questions or comments on the companys
operations, we would like to hear from you.
Your vote is important. Whether you own one share or many, please vote as soon as possible so
that you will be represented at the meeting in accordance with your wishes.
Sincerely,
William F. Hecht
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
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THIS BALLOT WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS
DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED
FOR PROPOSALS 1 and 2
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Please
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
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o |
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.
1. Election of Directors:
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01 Frederick M. Bernthal
02 John R. Biggar
03 Louise K. Goeser
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FOR all nominees
listed (except as
indicated)
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o
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WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
to vote for all
nominees listed
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write that nominees name on the line below.) |
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2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor.
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FOR
o
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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Dated:
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, 2005 |
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Signature of Shareowner
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Signature if held jointly
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on the ballot. If held in joint tenancy, all persons
must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should
provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the ballot.
5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5
Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
on April 18, 2005.
Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the Trustee of the ESOP to vote your shares in the
same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your ballot.
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Internet
http://www.proxyvoting.com/ppl
Use the Internet to vote your ballot.
Have your ballot card in hand when
you access the web site.
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OR
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Telephone
1-866-540-5760
Use any touch-tone telephone to vote
your ballot. Have your ballot card in
hand when you call. Follow the
instructions the voice provides you.
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OR
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Mail
Mark, sign and date
your ballot and
return it in the
enclosed postage-paid
envelope. |
If you vote your ballot by Internet or by telephone,
you do NOT need to mail back your ballot.
You can view the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
on the Internet at www.pplweb.com