FirstEnergy Transmission LLC (FET), co-owned by FirstEnergy Corp. and Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners, has secured several transmission projects awarded by PJM Interconnection. These projects aim to enhance the electric grid and foster regional economic growth. FET will develop some of these projects through the Valley Link Transmission Company LLC joint venture with Dominion Energy and American Electric Power Company, while others will be pursued independently within its service area.
The total investment from FET is estimated at $1.25 billion for these transmission projects. Additionally, FirstEnergy's subsidiaries Potomac Edison, JCP&L, and Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company (KATCo) will contribute $46 million towards upgrading equipment at substations and reconfiguring transmission lines in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
These initiatives were proposed under PJM's 2024 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) open window process and received approval from the PJM Board of Managers on February 26. PJM coordinates wholesale electricity transportation across a 13-state region that includes FirstEnergy's service area.
Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission at FirstEnergy, stated: "We are dedicated to ensuring our transmission system consistently delivers the power our customers depend on. We appreciate being selected by PJM to develop these important projects, which will enhance reliability, accommodate rising customer demand and support economic growth across the region."
The approved FET projects include constructing approximately 260 miles of 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and two substations between Putnam County, West Virginia, and Frederick County, Maryland; approximately 155 miles of 765-kV transmission line and a substation between Campbell County, Virginia, and Fauquier County, Virginia; investing $217 million in Ohio to rebuild around 59 miles of 138-kV transmission lines in Erie, Lorain, and Ottawa counties; and spending $33 million in Pennsylvania for rebuilding two 115-kV substations in York County.
Currently in early development stages following PJM's awards, FirstEnergy plans to advance project details including potential route assessments, community engagement for stakeholder input, and thorough environmental studies.
FET is an equity investor in Valley Link jointly owned by FirstEnergy and Brookfield. It operates American Transmission Systems Inc., Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission LLC (MAIT), and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo).
FirstEnergy emphasizes integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence with its electric distribution companies forming one of the largest investor-owned electric systems nationwide. It serves customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York with its subsidiaries operating around 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting Midwest to Mid-Atlantic regions.