Ohio Energy Reporter

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Business

Should you lease or buy your residential solar system

On May 23, 2024, a discussion emerged on whether homeowners should lease or buy their residential solar systems. This topic is pertinent as many homes are not permanent residences, raising questions about the best financial and practical approach to adopting solar energy.


Business

FirstEnergy CEO highlights progress at annual shareholder meeting

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) President and Chief Executive Officer Brian X. Tierney addressed shareholders at the company's 2024 Annual Meeting, emphasizing the company’s progress and resilience. "We have a strong foundation, clear focus and robust strategy to deliver long-term value to our shareholders, customers, communities and employees," Tierney stated.


Business

FirstEnergy appoints new executives to lead state electric companies

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced the appointment of four new executives to lead its Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey state electric company businesses and its stand-alone transmission companies. This move is part of the company's strategy to enhance execution and customer investments at the local level.


Business

FirstEnergy completes annual storm restoration drill for severe weather events

FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) operating in eastern Pennsylvania as Met-Ed, has recently concluded its annual emergency preparation drill. The exercise aimed to test the company's storm restoration process for potential severe weather-related outages in its extensive and heavily wooded service area.


Business

Ohio electric cooperatives advocate for grid reliability and tax reform

Leaders from 17 Ohio electric cooperatives recently dedicated a day to meet with influential state legislators and officials. The focus of the discussions was on grid reliability, kilowatt-hour tax reform, and opportunities for New ERA funding aimed at promoting reliability within the energy sector.


Business

Ohio Senate resolution challenges new EPA greenhouse gas rules

Pat O’Loughlin, President and CEO of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), testified in support of Senate Resolution 296 (SR 296) on May 20, 2024. The resolution urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw recently finalized regulations on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). SR 296 passed the Senate on May 8 with bipartisan support, and a similar measure is being pursued by the Ohio House to counteract the new rule.


Business

FirstEnergy completes electric grid enhancements in Mahoning Valley

American Transmission Systems, Inc. (ATSI), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has completed the installation of approximately 250 new insulators along a 22-mile section of a transmission line that runs through Mahoning and Columbiana counties in northeast Ohio. This enhancement is expected to bolster the reliability and resilience of the electric grid for roughly 1,500 Ohio Edison customers in the Mahoning Valley.


Business

FirstEnergy emphasizes electrical safety for summer season

AKRON, Ohio – As National Electrical Safety Month coincides with the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is emphasizing the importance of electrical safety. The company encourages the public to be mindful of potential electrical hazards during outdoor activities to ensure a safe and uninterrupted supply of electricity throughout the summer season.


Business

Ohio co-op leaders advocate for energy policy changes at NRECA conference

American families and businesses expect consistent and affordable electricity. The nation's energy policies should align with this fundamental expectation, transcending partisan divides. As the demand for electricity escalates and supply dwindles, it is imperative to have a substantive policy discussion about our future direction and the realistic means to achieve it.


Business

FirstEnergy appoints Deandra Williams-Lewis as Chief Privacy Officer

AKRON, Ohio, May 17, 2024 -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has announced the appointment of Deandra Williams-Lewis to the role of Chief Privacy Officer, effective May 19. This new role is in addition to her current position as Director, Ethics & Compliance.


Business

Ohio at low risk for summer electricity reliability issues: NERC report

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has recently released its summer assessment of electric reliability, indicating that Ohio is at low risk for demand exceeding supply. This is a shift from NERC's winter assessment of Ohio, which falls within the 13-state PJM grid. The Midwest was at risk of power loss this past winter, but due to mild weather conditions, outages were successfully avoided.


Business

OEC's CEO testifies against USEPA's new power plant rule in Ohio Senate

On May 7, 2024, Pat O’Loughlin, President and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (OEC), testified before the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. He voiced his support for S.R. No. 296, a resolution urging the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to withdraw its recently finalized power plant rules regulating greenhouse gas emissions.


Business

Toledo Edison conducts tree-trimming work to enhance service reliability

Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is currently carrying out tree trimming and other vegetation management operations across northwest Ohio. This is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance electric service reliability. The $7 million tree-trimming program for this year aims to maintain power supply to customers by preventing tree-related outages, particularly during the spring and summer storm season.


Business

Tree-Trimming Efforts Underway to Enhance Power Reliability in Greater Cleveland

The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is carrying out tree trimming and other vegetation management tasks across its northeast Ohio service area. This initiative forms part of the company's ongoing commitment to enhancing electric service reliability. The $19.7 million tree-trimming program for this year aims to ensure continuous power supply to customers by mitigating tree-related outages, particularly during the spring and summer storm season.


Business

Ohio co-op leaders discuss electricity reliability at annual Statehouse meeting

On May 8, 2024, leaders of Ohio cooperatives from across the state gathered at the Statehouse for OEC's annual Day at the Statehouse. The event provided an opportunity for these leaders to meet directly with their respective elected officials and discuss critical issues affecting their cooperative members, particularly in terms of electricity reliability and affordability.


Business

Ohio Edison conducts tree-trimming work to enhance service reliability

AKRON, Ohio – Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is carrying out tree trimming and other vegetation management work across northeast and northcentral Ohio to enhance electric service reliability. The company's $26 million tree-trimming program this year aims to maintain uninterrupted power supply to customers by preventing tree-related outages, particularly during the spring and summer storm season.


Business

FirstEnergy commences Sylvania's LED streetlight conversion project

FirstEnergy Corp.'s Toledo Edison has commenced the City of Sylvania's $342,000 streetlight conversion project in Lucas County, Ohio. The initiative involves the installation of 1,650 LED streetlight fixtures to replace existing lights.


Business

Potomac Edison undertakes tree-trimming to enhance power reliability in Maryland

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., May 14, 2024 -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is currently conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work across its Maryland service area. This is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance electric service reliability. The $14.7 million tree-trimming program for this year aims to maintain power supply to customers by preventing tree-related outages that often occur during the spring and summer storm season.


Business

FirstEnergy enhances 24/7 Power Center outage maps with new features

FirstEnergy has introduced several enhancements to its 24/7 Power Center outage maps, aiming to provide customers with timely and crucial information during power outages. The upgrades include color-coded icons and shading for easy location and area identification, a navigation bar for state map navigation, text message enrollment directly from the map, summary reports, weather radar overlay, and improved address search functionality.


Business

Exploring expansion options for homeowners with solar installations

For homeowners who have embarked on the solar journey, the initial installation is not the end. As solar technology continues to evolve, so do opportunities for expansion and enhancement of existing systems. Whether driven by a desire to save on utility bills, reduce grid reliance, or contribute to environmental sustainability, going solar represents a significant step towards a resilient future.