With the hot summer months likely to produce higher electric usage and potentially severe weather, FirstEnergy Corp.'s Ohio subsidiaries—Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison—have recently completed inspections and conducted equipment maintenance aimed at enhancing service reliability for customers. This work builds upon extensive tree-trimming efforts and equipment upgrades that FirstEnergy has implemented over recent years to help prevent power outages.
Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy's Ohio President, stated: "Our commitment to continuous improvement will help us continue to deliver the safe and reliable electricity our customers rely on every day. Since 2020, FirstEnergy has invested more than $500 million in new automated equipment and technology across its Ohio service area to help keep power flowing to our customers in all types of weather conditions."
Proactive equipment inspections included using thermovision cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment. This technology helps detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared images can identify issues such as loose connections, corrosion, and load imbalances.
FirstEnergy utility personnel also inspected electrical equipment like transformers along neighborhood power lines and within substations to ensure infrastructure efficiency during increased summer demand.
Additionally, FirstEnergy's Ohio electric distribution companies are investing about $52 million this year to trim trees along more than 8,000 miles of power lines. This program aims to prevent tree-related outages during the summer storm season. Helicopter patrols have completed inspections of over 7,200 miles of transmission lines owned by American Transmission Systems, Inc., a FirstEnergy subsidiary.
Customers are advised on steps they can take to manage their electricity use during high-demand periods:
- Set thermostats as high as comfort allows.
- Use fans for cooling.
- Close drapes or blinds on sunny windows.
- Use programmable thermostats.
- Seal leaks with caulk or weather stripping.
- Check air conditioner filters.
- Avoid using heat-producing appliances during peak hours.
Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for those needing help with their electric bills. More information is available at firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Ohio Edison serves over one million customers across 34 counties in Ohio. The Illuminating Company serves 755,000 customers across several counties including Ashtabula and Cuyahoga. Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio.
FirstEnergy is committed to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems serving multiple states including Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Photos of FirstEnergy utility personnel installing new equipment are available on Flickr. A video explaining thermovision inspection work is available on YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Siburkis (330) 203-8850; INVESTOR CONTACT: Gina Caskey (330) 761-4185