FAIRMONT, West Virginia – In anticipation of increased electric use and potential seasonal storms, FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison are completing equipment inspections, preventive maintenance, and tree-trimming work across their West Virginia service territories to help reduce potential outages and improve reliability for customers this summer.
Jim Myers, FirstEnergy’s Acting President for West Virginia, stated: “Proactive inspections and maintenance of our lines and equipment are vital to ensuring that we can continue to deliver safe, reliable power to our customers and help them stay comfortable as temperatures rise this summer.”
Mon Power and Potomac Edison personnel inspected more than 300 substations in West Virginia earlier this spring and completed necessary repairs before the summer. Thermovision cameras were used to capture infrared images revealing potential problems with equipment. By identifying hot spots, maintenance and repairs can be completed before a power outage occurs.
Crews also conducted thorough inspections along neighborhood power lines focusing on more than 700 capacitors that maintain proper electric voltage along a power line. These devices automatically adjust voltage levels to accommodate changing system conditions, particularly useful in remote locations.
To minimize the impact of tree-related damages during severe weather, Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s tree contractors plan to clear vegetation along approximately 6,800 miles of power lines in 2024. They have already completed work along more than 3,000 miles of power lines this spring.
As part of the company’s investment in vegetation management this year, trees have been inspected and pruned to preserve their health while maintaining safe clearances near electrical equipment. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed. Similar work will be performed along hundreds of miles of high-voltage transmission power lines in West Virginia.
At its regulated power plants—Fort Martin Power Station and Harrison Power Station—Mon Power has cleaned and inspected generation equipment including main turbines, boiler feed pumps, and condensers to ensure optimal performance during the summer months.
With the summer storm season comes higher-than-usual temperatures and rising energy costs. The following tips can help customers manage their electric bills:
- Use fans as moving air cools skin faster.
- Close drapes or blinds on windows facing the sun during sunny weather.
- Use 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 the hottest hours of the day.
Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for customers needing help with their electric bills. For more information, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at mon-power.com; on X @MonPowerWV; or on Facebook at facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
Potomac Edison serves about 151,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com; on X @PotomacEdison; or on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com or on X @FirstEnergyCorp.
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