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 September 30, December 31, ------------- --------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 (c) 1998 (c) 1997 (c) 1996 (c) ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt............................. $ 229 $ 205 $ 188 $ 195 $ 207 Interest on short-term debt and other interest......... 16 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.................................. 6 9 8 9 13 Capitalized......................................... 1 2 2 2 Estimated interest component of operating rentals...... 17 19 18 15 8 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges.......................... $ 272 $ 249 $ 232 $ 240 $ 243 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings, as defined: Net income (a)......................................... $ 366 $ 444 $ 409 $ 348 $ 357 Less undistributed income of equity method investment.. ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 366 444 409 348 357 Add (Deduct): Income taxes........................................... 218 151 273 248 251 Amortization of capitalized interest on capital leases............................................... 2 2 2 2 4 Total fixed charges as above (excluding capitalized interest on capital lease obligations)............... 272 248 230 238 241 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total earnings............................... $ 858 $ 845 $ 914 $ 836 $ 853 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b) (c)................ 3.15 3.39 3.94 3.48 3.51 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= (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: September 2000, 2.79; 1999, 3.10; and 1998, 3.53 (c) Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for years 1999 and prior were recalculated to give proper effect of undistributed earnings of equity method investments.