With the hot, humid summer months expected to increase electric usage and potentially severe weather, FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) operating as West Penn Power in western and central Pennsylvania, is completing inspections and conducting proactive equipment maintenance across its service area to enhance service reliability for customers.
John Hawkins, FirstEnergy’s President for Pennsylvania, stated, “We proactively inspect and maintain our equipment to help ensure our system is prepared for increased electrical demand when temperatures climb. These important measures will also help to minimize the length and impact of service interruptions should summer storms cause power outages.”
West Penn Power crews are finalizing inspections of the local energy delivery system to ensure electrical equipment can reliably handle elevated summer electrical demand, typically due to air conditioning usage. Substation electricians utilize thermovision cameras during summer-readiness inspections to capture infrared images, identifying potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. These images can detect issues such as loose connections, corrosion, and load imbalances, enabling utility workers to make repairs that prevent future power outages.
Helicopter patrols have completed inspections of over 1,700 miles of power lines owned by Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company (KATCo) and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo), both transmission subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., located in the West Penn Power area. These inspections identify damaged wires, broken cross arms, and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during these inspections will be addressed.
Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed along 1,840 miles of power lines as part of FirstEnergy’s vegetation management program in the West Penn Power area. The work remains on schedule to complete an additional 2,860 miles by year-end. Maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment is critical for providing safe, reliable electric service and can reduce the frequency and duration of tree-related power outages associated with severe weather.
Tree trimming activities are ongoing in various counties including Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Butler, Centre, Clarion, Clinton, Elk County Fayette Franklin Fulton Greene Lycoming McKean Washington Westmoreland.
In addition to equipment inspections and maintenance efforts, West Penn Power recently conducted storm-readiness exercises and drills to test their restoration process used for repairing storm-related power outages. Storm drills have become more common in the utility industry due to increasing severe weather events over recent years.
Customers can take several steps to manage their electricity use during periods of high demand this summer:
- Set thermostats as high as comfort allows.
- Use fans since moving air cools skin faster.
- Close drapes or blinds on windows facing direct sunlight.
- Utilize programmable or smart thermostats.
- Seal leaks with caulk or weather stripping.
- Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters regularly.
- Avoid using heat-producing appliances during peak heat hours.
Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for customers needing help with their electric bills. For more information visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
West Penn Power serves approximately 746,000 customers across 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn on X @W_Penn_Power or Facebook at facebook.com/WestPennPower.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety reliability operational excellence forming one nation's largest investor-owned electric systems serving six million customers Ohio Pennsylvania New Jersey Virginia Maryland York company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24 miles transmission lines connecting Midwest Atlantic regions Visit online at firstenergycorp.com follow X @FirstEnergyCorp
Editor’s Note: Photos showing workers conducting thermovision inspections are available on Flickr.
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News Media Contact: Todd Meyers (724) 838-6650
Investor Relations Contact: Gina Caskey (330) 761-4185
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