Exhibit 12(b) PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Millions of Dollars) 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended March 31, December 31, --------------- ------------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt ....................... $217 $205 $188 $195 $207 Interest on short-term debt and other interest ............................ 14 12 14 17 11 Amortization of debt discount, expense and premium - net............................... 4 3 2 2 2 Interest on capital lease obligations Charged to expense ........................... 10 9 8 9 13 Capitalized .................................. 1 1 2 2 2 Estimated interest component of operating rentals .............................. 19 19 18 15 8 Proportionate share of fixed charges of 50-percent-or-less-owned persons ........................................ 1 1 1 1 --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ Total fixed charges ...................... $265 $250 $233 $241 $244 =============== ============ ============== ============ ============ Earnings, as defined: Net income (a).................................. 466 $444 $409 $348 $357 Less undistributed income of less than 50-percent-owned persons ................. - - - - --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ 466 444 409 348 357 Add (Deduct): Income taxes ..................................... 156 151 273 248 251 Amortization of capitalized interest on capital leases ..................... 2 2 2 2 4 Total fixed charges as above (excluding capitalized interest on capital lease obligations) .................. 264 249 231 239 243 --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ Total earnings ........................... $888 $846 $915 $837 $855 =============== ============ ============== ============ =========== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b) ...................................... 3.35 3.38 3.93 3.47 3.50 =============== ============ ============== ============ ============ (a) 2000, 1999 and 1998 net income excluding extraordinary items. (b) Based on earnings excluding one-time adjustments, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges are : March 2000, 3.10; 1999, 3.09; and 1998, 3.52 1