Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., have announced a $13 million investment in infrastructure upgrades to improve electric service reliability for more than 12,700 customers in rural areas of West Virginia. The initiative is part of a three-year pilot program approved by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, focusing on reducing power outages, particularly during severe weather.
The planned projects include building new power lines, upgrading existing wires to stronger versions, adding additional substation transformers, and installing automated smart technologies designed to keep electricity flowing even if certain parts of the system are out of service.
Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy for West Virginia and Maryland, said: “We understand the unique challenges faced by rural communities, and we are committed to providing the dependable power customers in these areas need to thrive. Our investment in new and upgraded power lines and other equipment is designed to reduce the frequency of outages and reinforce reliable service, even during severe weather.”
Among the targeted upgrades:
– In Berkeley and Morgan counties, a new four-mile power line will connect two existing lines serving 5,400 customers in Hedgesville. This addition will provide backup power and has protective covering to minimize disruptions from tree branches or animals.
– In Greenbrier County, a second transformer will be installed at a Union substation to support 2,238 customers with backup capacity and accommodate future growth.
– Hancock County will see wire upgrades on an existing line serving over 3,100 Weirton customers. The improvements aim for faster restoration after outages. Additional equipment such as voltage regulators and reclosers—devices that automatically shut off or restore electricity when problems occur—will also be installed.
– In Tyler County’s Friendly and Sistersville areas, an upgrade to an existing two-mile tie line is expected to reduce both outage frequency and duration for about 2,000 customers.
Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia. Potomac Edison provides electricity to about 285,000 customers in seven Maryland counties as well as 155,000 customers in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
FirstEnergy operates one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the United States with more than six million customers across several states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Its transmission subsidiaries manage roughly 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting regions from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic.
For further information about Mon Power visit mon-power.com; Potomac Edison can be found at potomacedison.com; FirstEnergy’s corporate site is firstenergycorp.com.
News Media Contact: Will Boye (301) 790-6420; Investor Contact: Karen Sagot (330) 761-4286
