FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has announced its intention to file a rate review with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to support ongoing service reliability enhancements for its customers. The proposed rate adjustment aims to improve grid infrastructure and provide additional services to benefit over two million customers.
According to Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania Operations, the investments in upgrading equipment and vegetation management will help ensure dependable electricity delivery to homes and businesses. Wyman stated, "The work we are doing makes a positive difference – installation of new equipment coupled with proactive tree trimming has helped reduce the frequency of electric service interruptions experienced by our Pennsylvania customers by 14 percent since 2019."
The rate review proposal includes various initiatives such as modernizing the grid with automated technologies, increasing inspections of equipment, converting streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs, and removing trees that pose a threat to power lines. Additionally, a special focus will be placed on assisting low-income residential customers with bill assistance programs and providing incentives for electric vehicle adoption.
If approved, the rate request totaling $502 million across the four Pennsylvania rate districts would result in an average increase of $16.61 to $21.30 per month for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month. The proposed adjustments aim to keep bills comparable to other utilities in the state, with the new rates expected to take effect on June 1, 2024.
Customers are encouraged to provide feedback on the filing through the public comment process, and FirstEnergy Pennsylvania will engage with stakeholders to ensure a thorough review of the proposal. Efforts are also being made to offer payment plans and access to energy assistance programs to help customers manage their bills.
For more information about the proposed rate plan and to learn about energy efficiency programs, customers can visit the FirstEnergy website or contact the company directly. FirstEnergy Pennsylvania and its subsidiaries remain committed to maintaining reliability, safety, and operational excellence for their customers in Pennsylvania.