News from October 2024
Energy-saving tips for renters: simple steps for reducing electricity bills
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 18, 2024
You don’t have to own your property to make improvements that will help maximize your energy use and lower your electric bill. If you rent, you can still make simple energy efficiency upgrades without breaking your lease. Here are some small changes that can add up.
Benefits of adopting solar energy in multi-family housing
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 17, 2024
Multi-family housing units, such as apartments and condos, often face high energy consumption due to shared amenities. Integrating solar energy offers several benefits for property owners.
Electric co-ops send aid for hurricane relief after overwhelming response
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 16, 2024
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric and North Central Electric responded to a call for help from a small community in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The hurricane left families in the rural area cut off from aid, as roads were washed away, creating an urgent need for food, water, and basic supplies.
FirstEnergy employees aid nonprofit providing formalwear for multicultural quinceañera ball
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 16, 2024
Members of FirstEnergy's Women in Leadership employee business resource group (EBRG) recently volunteered to support the 2024 Youngstown Rayen Early College Multicultural Quinceañera Ball, an event backed by DIVA Donations for the past eight years. The Northeast Ohio nonprofit provides affordable formalwear and accessories for special occasions, helping young women dress for significant events.
FirstEnergy advances projects enhancing electricity reliability for rural West Virginia
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 16, 2024
Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., are advancing with five projects aimed at improving electric service reliability for nearly 8,700 customers in rural West Virginia. These efforts are expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and focus on reducing outage frequency and duration, especially during severe weather conditions.
New vehicle trims trees along power lines in Pennsylvania
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 15, 2024
Motorists in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains recently observed a compact excavator with a long reach trimming branches along power lines. This vehicle, known as Kwik-Trim, is currently the only one of its kind operating within Met-Ed’s 3,300-square-mile service area. Owned by Lewis Tree Service, a contractor for FirstEnergy, the machine is used to ensure reliable electric service by maintaining tree growth around hard-to-access power line corridors.
FirstEnergy Ohio's new president addresses customers' concerns and future plans
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 14, 2024
As the new President of FirstEnergy Ohio, Torrence L. Hinton expressed his enthusiasm for leading the electric companies Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison. Having joined the organization in June, Hinton brings 25 years of experience in the energy sector and has lived around Chicago before relocating to Ohio.
New president aims to enhance service reliability at FirstEnergy Pennsylvania
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 14, 2024
John Hawkins Jr. has been appointed as the new President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, overseeing the power delivery through Met-Ed, Penn Power, West Penn Power, and Penelec. Hawkins joined FirstEnergy in 2022 as Vice President for Operations and Distribution Engineering.
Mon Power receives $5M DOE grant for rural WV electric reliability project
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 14, 2024
Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has received $5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This grant aims to improve electric service reliability for customers in rural West Virginia. The funds are part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
New JCP&L president focuses on local decision-making
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 14, 2024
Doug Mokoid, the newly appointed president of FirstEnergy New Jersey, has expressed his enthusiasm for leading the organization. In a recent communication to customers, Mokoid shared his commitment to enhancing local decision-making and accountability within JCP&L, part of FirstEnergy's network.
Ohio co-op leaders discuss EPA rules and postal service proposals in Washington
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 14, 2024
In mid-September, nine cooperative CEOs and members of the Ohio Electric Cooperatives (OEC) leadership visited Capitol Hill. Their visit was part of the annual "CEO Fly-In," where they met with nearly half of the Ohio Congressional delegation. The discussions centered on concerns about several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules and their potential negative impacts on Buckeye Power and cooperative members.
AEP Ohio calls on PUCO to reject unsupported data center stipulation
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 11, 2024
A statement from Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio's president and chief operating officer, has been released regarding a partial settlement in the PUCO Docket Number 24-508-EL-ATA. Reitter expressed concerns that the proposed settlement does not sufficiently address the primary issues raised by AEP Ohio in their application. He noted, "It’s unprecedented to present a 'settlement' to the PUCO that isn’t supported by the PUCO staff or the utility that initially raised the concern." He urged for its rejection.
Ohio faces concerns over rapid increase of industrial solar generation
By Ohio Energy Reporter reports | Oct 10, 2024
Many rural Ohioans are familiar with the growing presence of solar generation across the state. With 3,224 megawatts of installed solar capacity, Ohio ranks 14th among the states, up from 32nd in 2022.
Steps to achieve net-zero homes using solar power
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 10, 2024
As the push for sustainability grows among homeowners, net-zero homes are becoming increasingly popular. These homes produce as much energy as they consume through energy-efficient upgrades and renewable sources like solar power. Solar energy is a key component in this eco-friendly transition.
FirstEnergy dispatches crews to aid power restoration efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 9, 2024
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's west coast, FirstEnergy Corp. is mobilizing over 580 line workers and support personnel to assist in power restoration efforts with Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy. Many of these crews are transitioning from recent operations in the Carolinas and Georgia after Hurricane Helene. A new group of support staff departed from FirstEnergy's service area today, with all personnel expected to arrive in Florida by Friday, post-storm.
JCP&L tackles power outages by removing thousands of vulnerable ash trees
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 8, 2024
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is actively working to reduce power outages caused by dead and diseased ash trees in New Jersey. The company has removed over 7,000 vulnerable ash trees in northern New Jersey so far this year, focusing on areas like Sussex County and parts of Warren County.
Understanding how different types of solar systems work during power outages
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 8, 2024
Solar energy systems are often connected to the utility grid, utilizing solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight.
Roof assessment crucial before installing solar panels
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 8, 2024
Before embarking on a solar installation, it is crucial to assess the condition of your roof.
FirstEnergy schedules webcast for Q3 earnings release
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 8, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp. has announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 after the market closes on Tuesday, October 29. The results will be discussed in a conference call with financial analysts scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, at 9 a.m. EDT. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
Electric utilities collaborate on regional transmission projects amid rising power demand
By Ohio Energy Reporter | Oct 7, 2024
FirstEnergy Corp., Dominion Energy Virginia, and American Electric Power have entered into a joint planning agreement to propose new regional electric transmission projects across the PJM footprint. This collaboration aims to address the growing power demand in the region through PJM's competitive planning process.