News from April 2024
FirstEnergy's Green Team Members Enhance Community Gardens in Western Pennsylvania
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 30, 2024
FirstEnergy’s Green Team recently demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by participating in a community garden revitalization project in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Led by Lucy Bittner, Vice President of Jeanette Greenspaces, the volunteers worked tirelessly to replenish garden plots with fresh topsoil and compost, despite facing challenges like malfunctioning wheelbarrows.Bittner expressed her gratitude, stating, “I can’t thank yinz enough.” She also highlighted the importance of the Green Team's support, especially for those who are no longer...
Growing Participation in RECAP Program Enhances Cybersecurity for Ohio Cooperatives
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 30, 2024
In the latest update of the Rural Electric Cyber Advancement Program (RECAP) for May 2024, it was reported that participation in the program continues to expand. According to the update, there are currently 21 cooperatives that have either completed the assessment or are scheduled to do so in 2024, with a call for all Ohio cooperatives to join in. The focus remains on maximizing the value of the program for members through "Cooperation Among Cooperatives."The assessments conducted in 2023 have unveiled common actionable items for many cooperatives, leading to the...
Nearly 500 Trees to be Planted Across Mahoning Valley on Arbor Day Today
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 26, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp. is gearing up to mark Arbor Day by donating nearly 500 trees to two locations in Mahoning County. The company will be planting 300 hardwood trees at Mill Creek MetroParks in Canfield and 160 trees at Beaver Township Nature Preserve in North Lima. Jessica Shaffer, Advanced Scientist and Green Team Leader at FirstEnergy, emphasized the significance of tree-planting, stating, “Planting trees is not just about growing roots, it’s about cultivating relationships.”Nick Derico, Natural Resources Manager at Mill Creek MetroParks, expressed gratitude for...
FirstEnergy Announces First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 25, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp. has reported its first quarter 2024 financial results, showcasing a strong start to the year. The company's GAAP earnings were $0.44 per share, with operating earnings reaching $0.55 per share, exceeding the midpoint of guidance. Brian X. Tierney, President and Chief Executive Officer, expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating, "Despite a mild winter, we're off to a solid start in 2024."Tierney highlighted the company's milestone in strengthening its balance sheet, mentioning, "We significantly strengthened our balance sheet, supporting...
New EPA Rules Threaten Reliability and Affordability of Electricity in Ohio
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 25, 2024
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency released its long-anticipated final rule targeting emissions from power plants across the country, impacting facilities like the Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Ohio. The plant, described as the backbone of reliable and affordable electricity generation for Ohio’s electric cooperative members, is facing significant challenges ahead.Pat O’Loughlin, president and CEO of Buckeye Power and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, criticized the EPA's regulations, stating, "EPA has again proposed an unrealistic and unachievable set of...
New FirstEnergy Foundation Volunteer Center Gives Foodbank Volunteers a Place to Shine
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 24, 2024
In 2023, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank saw the tremendous impact of its dedicated volunteers who contributed over 64,000 hours of service, helping provide more than 1.6 million meals to local families in need. These volunteers played a crucial role in supporting the community, and now they have a new space to shine and work safely - the FirstEnergy Foundation Volunteer Center.The Volunteer Center, located at the Foodbank’s Akron Warehouse, was made possible by the FirstEnergy Foundation's generous donation of $750,000. This facility will serve as a hub for volunteers...
Fascinating Facts: A History of Solar Energy from ancient Egypt to Today
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
Many ancient cultures, including the ancient Egyptians, utilized solar energy in various ways throughout history. The ancient Egyptians, for example, designed their mud brick-houses to harness the sun's heat for warmth during the night. This practice was also observed in other ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Native Americans, and Chinese.The concept of converting light into electricity dates back to ancient times, but the photovoltaic effect was officially discovered in 1839 by French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel. His groundbreaking observation laid...
Mon Power Employees Support Local Communities in Fight Against Hunger
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
Mon Power employees have joined forces with Morgantown-based nonprofit Pantry Plus More to tackle child hunger in Monongahela County, West Virginia. According to Pantry Plus More, one in five children in the county go to bed hungry, highlighting the crucial need for assistance in the area.The recent collaboration between Mon Power employees and Pantry Plus More involved various activities aimed at alleviating food insecurity. Volunteers packed food boxes, prepared weekend food bags for students, assembled hygiene boxes for families in need, and assisted with organizing...
Columbia Gas technician aids semi-truck passengers after highway rollover
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
For Columbia Gas of Ohio Field Technician Curtis Van Vlerah, April 12 began like most other mornings. He was in his Columbia Gas vehicle on a loop connecting I-475 to I-75 in Toledo, near the Ryder MOD where he reports. However, his routine morning changed when he noticed the car in front of him pulling to the side of the highway and a semi-truck further ahead flipped on its side, wheels still spinning.
AEP Ohio Shares Tips for Planting Trees This Spring In Celebration of Arbor Day
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
Gahanna, Ohio (April 23, 2024) — Spring is here, and with Arbor Day approaching, AEP Ohio is encouraging customers to plan before planting trees to prevent future power outages. Dale Hopkins, forestry manager at AEP Ohio, highlighted the importance of proper tree placement, stating, "Trees are a top cause of power outages," while emphasizing the efforts of the forestry team to maintain a safe distance between trees and power lines.To help customers make informed decisions, AEP Ohio's forestry team provided tips for planting trees in suitable locations. Hopkins advised...
EnergizeNJ Proposal Aims to Improve Power Outages in New Jersey
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
JCP&L's President, Jim Fakult, recently highlighted the significance of the company's EnergizeNJ initiative, aimed at enhancing service reliability for customers. Fakult stated, "EnergizeNJ is one of the most significant initiatives JCP&L has ever put together to enhance service reliability for customers. It’s important to us that these upgrades not only enhance service by reducing how often you lose power or how long your lights are out, but also do it in a cost-conscious manner."The initiative, which involves $930.5 million in infrastructure upgrades, focuses on...
FirstEnergy Employees Kick Off 2024 Harvest for Hunger Campaign by Volunteering at Westmoreland Food Bank
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
FirstEnergy employees from West Penn Power recently volunteered at the Westmoreland Food Bank in Pennsylvania to kick off the 2024 Harvest for Hunger campaign. Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Operations, led the volunteers and humorously dubbed them “Team Frozen Hands” as they packed food boxes for military personnel and veterans in need.Laurie Peddicord, Manager of Legal Operations, joined the efforts by stacking various food items, including wagyu beef steaks and hot dogs, into the boxes. The volunteers worked diligently to fill the boxes with a...
FirstEnergy Set to Plant More Than 25,000 Trees in 2024
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 23, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp. has announced its plan to plant over 25,000 trees throughout its service territory in 2024, with nearly 17,000 trees set to be planted in April alone. This initiative comes as part of the company's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and community support.Jessica Shaffer, Advanced Scientist and Lead of FirstEnergy’s Green Teams, emphasized the importance of trees in stabilizing the environment and enhancing landscapes. She stated, “Trees play a vital role in stabilizing the environment by absorbing carbon, soaking up stormwater that can...
FirstEnergy Celebrates Line Worker Appreciation Day 2024
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 18, 2024
Today, April 18, is National Line Worker Appreciation Day, a day set aside to recognize the dedication and hard work of the individuals who ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our homes and communities. In a statement, FirstEnergy emphasized the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by these essential workers, who often risk their lives and spend time away from their families to provide uninterrupted power supply.FirstEnergy, a company with nearly 2,500 line workers employed across multiple states, highlighted the tireless efforts of these...
Work Underway to Upgrade Electric System in Erie County, Pennsylvania
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 18, 2024
FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is currently implementing upgrades in Erie County aimed at enhancing the electric system and reducing service interruptions. Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania Operations, highlighted the significance of substation upgrades in maintaining reliable power supply for customers. These enhancements are part of the Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan II, a $200 million initiative set to benefit over 8,000 customers in various communities within Erie County.Wyman...
FirstEnergy Foundation Supports Mylan Park’s Mission to Share Community Diversity in Monongalia County
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 18, 2024
The FirstEnergy Foundation recently provided a $15,000 grant to help the Mylan Park Foundation put on this year’s event, which boasted hundreds of attendees of all ages and backgrounds.“This event brought local families together to experience the diversity within our community,” said Ron Justice, Mylan Park Foundation Board President. “We are so grateful to the FirstEnergy Foundation for helping us introduce children and their parents to other cultures through their foods, music, dances, hobbies, and sports.”Lorna Wisham, President of the FirstEnergy Foundation, said,...
Celebrate Earth Day with Huge Solar Deals by YellowLite
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 18, 2024
Yellowlite, a company dedicated to environmental preservation, is leading by example this Earth Day by offering significant solar discounts. The company recently participated in a river cleanup at Big Creek Reservations, further solidifying its commitment to a cleaner, greener future.In the first quarter of 2024, Yellowlite achieved remarkable milestones, including producing 8,665,365 kWhs of energy, offsetting 7,330,898 lbs of CO2, growing 54,983 tree seedlings, and offsetting 374,169 gallons of gas. These accomplishments demonstrate Yellowlite's dedication to...
West Penn Power Green Team Collaborates with Community Volunteers to Enhance Plant Diversity in Washington Park
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 17, 2024
More than 20 volunteers, including West Penn Power's Green Team, recently came together to plant native trees and shrubs in Washington Park, western Pennsylvania. Pam Kilgore, co-organizer of the event and an outdoor education expert at the park, emphasized the importance of adding diversity to the plant species in the area, stating, "The area is currently densely populated with sycamores, which are great for erosion control, but we need more variety."Students from Washington High School, Washington and Jefferson College, and members of the Washington Rotary Club joined...
FirstEnergy Appoints John Combs as Senior Vice President of Shared Services
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 16, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp. has named John Combs as its new Senior Vice President of Shared Services, effective April 22. In a statement, President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Tierney expressed confidence in Combs, saying, "John is a dynamic leader whose unique blend of technology, business and financial skills and experience guiding large organizations through technology modernization and digital transformation makes him a strong addition to the FirstEnergy leadership team."Combs joins FirstEnergy from JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he held the position of Managing Director,...
Mon Power Employees Support Workforce Development Competition for West Virginia’s Best Technical Students
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Apr 16, 2024
Mon Power employee Stewart Whitehair, with 30 years of experience as an electrician, is actively involved in promoting opportunities in the technical field. Whitehair serves on the Marion County Technical Center’s Advisory Council for its electrical program and participates in an annual competition organized by SkillsUSA, a workforce development organization.Whitehair emphasized the importance of attracting young people to vocational and technical careers, stating, “We need to get more young people interested in pursuing careers in vocational and technical jobs.” He...