FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company, operating as Penelec in northern and central Pennsylvania, has announced the completion of a project intended to improve the electric delivery system in Venango and Crawford counties. The aim of the work is to prevent or minimize service disruptions, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
The enhancements included replacing over 40 wooden poles, crossarms, fuses, switches, and other components on a vital power line that delivers electricity to nearly 1,000 customers in Cochranton, Utica, Polk, and surrounding areas. “Over time, severe weather takes a toll on exposed electrical infrastructure, and this project allows us to proactively address equipment that has served our customers well for many years but needed to be updated,” stated John Hawkins, FirstEnergy President, Pennsylvania. He added, “Utility poles are the backbone of the distribution system, and this work should enhance the reliability of electric service for customers in these rural communities for years to come.”
The team replaced 42 poles, 53 crossarms, and almost 700 older porcelain insulators along a 13-mile segment of a 34.5-kilovolt power line. This line connects a substation near Route 322 north of Utica to another in Polk. The project included the installation of two switches, enabling line workers to isolate issues and redirect power as needed, reducing service interruption scope and duration.
The project aims to bolster the line’s performance, which has experienced several faults over the past half-decade. It is expected to provide a more consistent power supply to the substation in Polk, affecting approximately 540 customers. The work commenced in November 2024 and was recently completed.
The effort is a component of Penelec’s Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan, a $538 million strategy to upgrade the company’s electric distribution framework over five years. This plan is part of the broader Energize365 program focused on enhancing the grid through various investments.
Penelec caters to about 597,000 customers across 17,600 square miles in northern and central Pennsylvania as well as western New York. FirstEnergy, known for emphasizing integrity, safety, and reliability, operates one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the United States.
For more information, photos of the upgraded infrastructure are accessible on Flickr. Updates from Penelec are available on social media channels. Interested parties can reach out to News Media Contact Todd Meyers at (724) 838-6650 or Investor Contact Karen Sagot at (330) 761-4286.
