FAIRMONT, W.Va., May 2, 2024 — FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary Mon Power has been chosen by the Department of Energy to enter into award negotiations for a potential $5 million federal funding grant. The project aims to enhance electric reliability for customers in rural areas of West Virginia, as part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The grant, if approved, will be utilized to revamp over 23 miles of power lines in Pocahontas, Braxton, and Clay counties, along with establishing a two-mile tie line to a substation in Petersburg, Grant County. This initiative is expected to improve reliability for more than 3,000 customers, allowing for quicker service restoration during outages by providing a backup power feed through adjacent circuits.
Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia Operations, expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented by the Department of Energy, highlighting the agency’s dedication to fortifying the nation’s infrastructure. Myers stated, “This program will not only modernize our infrastructure but also strengthen the backbone of our nation’s energy system, ensuring reliability and resilience for years to come.”
Mon Power’s proposal was selected as one of 19 projects nationwide to receive funding under the ERA program, totaling over $78 million. The company plans to commence construction on the project in 2025, pending approval. Additionally, Mon Power has been actively engaging with various agencies and communities to gather feedback and incorporate it into their plans, aiming to address workforce disparities in under-resourced communities.
Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia, while Potomac Edison, another subsidiary of FirstEnergy, caters to around 285,000 customers in Maryland and 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Follow Mon Power at mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at facebook.com/MonPowerWV. For updates from Potomac Edison, visit potomacedison.com, follow on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison. Stay informed about FirstEnergy at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
