NEW CASTLE, Pa., Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Penn Power presented a surprise $10,000 "Gift of the Season" to the LindenPointe Entrepreneurship Academy (eAcademy) in Hermitage to support classroom upgrades that will enhance students' learning experience during the pandemic while keeping them safe and healthy. The gift was presented on behalf of the FirstEnergy Foundation as part of its annual holiday "Gifts of the Season" campaign.

Winners across FirstEnergy's service areas were chosen secretly by the company's external affairs employees, who identified organizations in their local areas that do extraordinary work to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved individuals.

"Despite every curveball that has been thrown at us this year, the eAcademy has continued to provide local high school students with a unique program that best suits their skills and career interests," said Lorna Wisham, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "We're proud to support their efforts to continue finding ways to sharpen the skills of our future leaders during these uncertain times."

The eAcademy is a unique educational program created through a collaborative partnership involving the City of Hermitage and eCenter @ LindenPointe, a local business incubator, as well as 11 Mercer County school districts: Commodore Perry, Farrell, Greenville, Grove City Hickory, Kennedy Catholic, Mercer, Sharon, Sharpsville, Union and West Middlesex.

Launched in 2014, the eAcademy encourages economic development in the region by giving local high school students a year-long, practical work experience in which they partner with business leaders to develop entrepreneurial skills.

"The generous support from the FirstEnergy Foundation will allow us to continue offering a high-quality entrepreneurship program to our students, despite all the challenges we've experienced during this pandemic," said Lisa Evans, program director of the eAcademy. "We are extremely thankful for the relationship we've built with FirstEnergy and Penn Power over the years, and their support touches the lives of many local students."

In addition to financial support the eAcademy has received from the FirstEnergy Foundation, several Penn Power and FirstEnergy employees have volunteered hours of their time over the years to mentor students and help them develop their business ideas.

Photos of FirstEnergy's annual "Gifts of the Season" check presentations are being shared on social media using the hashtag #GiftsofFE. Since its inception in 2016, the campaign has awarded nearly $500,000 to organizations that work to strengthen communities.

Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), serves approximately 165,000 customers within 1,100 square miles of western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn Power, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), presented surprise $5,000 "Gifts of the Season" to two local nonprofit agencies that are working to make lives better in the communities they serve. The gifts were presented on behalf of the FirstEnergy Foundation as part of its annual holiday "Gifts of the Season" campaign.

The recipients of this year's gifts are United Services Organization (USO) of Northern Ohio and Taking Back Our Youth – two Cuyahoga County organizations that provide support services to underserved and vulnerable individuals of all ages across Greater Cleveland.

"We're proud to support these organizations because, despite every curveball that's been thrown at us this year, they have continued their selfless service to our local veterans and our youth," said Lorna Wisham, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "The winners were chosen secretly by FirstEnergy External Affairs employees who identified organizations in their local areas that do extraordinary work to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved individuals."

USO of Northern Ohio provides resources for service members, veterans and military families throughout various transition points of their service, including assistance to help them prepare for and secure civilian work. The organization serves military families throughout 29 Ohio counties, and helps nearly 45,000 active duty, guard and reserve military members.

"Generous donors, like the FirstEnergy Foundation, provide critical support that improves the daily lives of local service members and their families," said Sherry Ems, executive director of USO of Northern Ohio. "We're not a government agency, so we rely on supporters now more than ever to fund programs that help make life easier for our local heroes."

Taking Back Our Youth provides at-risk children in Cleveland with mentoring programs and educational resources to keep their futures bright. The organization also provides incarcerated youth with services that help prepare them to be productive citizens when they transition back into society.

"We are grateful to have received this FirstEnergy Foundation gift because it will allow us to continue making a positive difference in the lives of children and young adults across our region," said Makanya Smith, executive director of Taking Back Our Youth. "Housing, family and financial security are the three core items that most inmates need upon release, and these funds will help us provide young men and women with everything they need to turn their lives around."

Photos of FirstEnergy's annual "Gifts of the Season" check presentations are being shared on social media using the hashtag #GiftsofFE. Since its inception in 2016, the campaign has awarded nearly $500,000 to organizations that work to strengthen communities.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), presented surprise $5,000 "Gifts of the Season" to two local nonprofit agencies that are working to make lives better in the communities they serve. The gifts were presented on behalf of the FirstEnergy Foundation as part of its annual holiday "Gifts of the Season" campaign.

The recipients of this year's gifts are Miriam House in Norwalk, Huron County, and the Nord Center in Lorain, Lorain County – two organizations that provide support services to underserved and vulnerable individuals of all ages within their communities.

"We're proud to support these organizations so they can continue to provide services to help those who are struggling with unexpected challenges during these uncertain times," said Lorna Wisham, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "The winners were chosen secretly by FirstEnergy External Affairs employees who identified organizations in their local areas that do extraordinary work to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved individuals."

Miriam House provides transitional housing to homeless women and their children, with the goal of helping them rebuild their lives and develop the skills necessary to regain self-sufficiency to secure stable, independent housing. Last year, 10 female-headed households were temporarily sheltered at the Miriam House, and half of them were transitioned to permanent housing within a year.

"The generous funds provided by the FirstEnergy Foundation will allow us to continue to help women and their children overcome homelessness," said Rodney Schuster, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo who oversees the Miriam House ministry. "These funds come during a time of need because many single mothers are in a situation they never thought they would be in during this pandemic, and they come to us for help."

The Nord Center provides comprehensive behavioral health services to children, teens and adults in the greater Lorain County area, as well as offers emergency crisis and sexual assault services 24/7/365. 

"We are grateful to have received this FirstEnergy Foundation gift because funding for mental health services and substance abuse is ever more critical during these difficult economic times, as the number of people who need help continues to escalate," said Don Schiffbauer, chief executive officer of the Nord Center. 

Photos of FirstEnergy's annual "Gifts of the Season" check presentations are being shared on social media using the hashtag #GiftsofFE. Since its inception in 2016, the campaign has awarded nearly $500,000 to organizations that work to strengthen communities.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $15,000 to the Trees for Troops campaign to help make the holidays brighter for service men and women and their families at military bases across the U.S. This is the second year that FirstEnergy has provided financial support or employee volunteers to assist with the program.

"Supporting our communities and giving back to those who serve our country is a priority for FirstEnergy," said Troy Rhoades, FirstEnergy external affairs consultant and a co-chair of the company's Veterans and Allies employee business resource group. "We're proud to partner with Trees for Troops to bring a festive spirit and joy to the brave men and women who may be far from home during the holidays."

Earlier this month, FedEx Freight drivers began delivery of trees to 79 military bases across the country housing all branches of the military. To date, FedEx has helped deliver more than 244,000 Christmas trees since Trees for Troops launched in 2005.

Hundreds of tree farms across 27 states and parts of Canada donated and collected trees for this year's program. As customers at these tree farms picked out their trees for the season, they also were able to purchase trees to be donated to military families across the country. Those who donated trees had the option to attach a holiday message for their tree's recipient. More information about the program can be found at www.treesfortroops.org.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy Corp. is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility personnel are prepared to respond to service interruptions caused by a powerful nor'easter that could dump up to two feet of snow in some areas of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey on Wednesday and Thursday, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to lash the Jersey shore.

Company meteorologists are tracking the winter storm, which is forecast to move into the region Wednesday morning with widespread snowfall for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia ranging from several inches to two feet. Rain, sleet and wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour are expected for coastal areas of Jersey Central Power & Light.

All of FirstEnergy's electric utilities in the impacted region are implementing storm response plans, which include staffing additional dispatchers, damage assessors and analysts at regional dispatch offices, and arranging to bring in additional line, substation and forestry personnel, as needed, based on the severity of the weather. The company has also notified contractors who work throughout FirstEnergy's footprint building power lines and installing new equipment to enhance service reliability for customers to be on deck to assist with restoration efforts.

Additionally, line workers and support staff from FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities are on the road and traveling east to respond to outages in areas impacted by the winter storm, including JCP&L.

"We are monitoring the weather conditions closely and will deploy resources to the areas that could get hit the hardest," said Sam Belcher, senior vice president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "The goal of our planning efforts is to restore electric service as quickly as safety allows and to minimize inconvenience our customers experience due to the storm."         

Company representatives also have been in contact with emergency management officials, state officials, regulators and local officials about the storm preparation efforts.

During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers are also encouraged to follow three simple steps to avoid dangerous accidental contact with electrical equipment if storms bring down wires:

• STOP what you're doing and stay away from electrical equipment.
• LOOK for hazards and call 911 to immediately report downed wires.
• LIVE and prevent serious injury by taking safety precautions, including never going near a downed power line, even if you think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan ahead for the possibility of electric service interruptions from winter weather by following these tips:

• Keep electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops and tablet computers fully charged to be ready for any emergencies.
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event a power interruption occurs.  Tune to a local station for current storm information.
• Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage in the event of a power outage.  Ensure the proper generator is selected and installed by a qualified electrician.  When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected.  Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.  Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.  If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources. 

Customer Generators

• Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications for updates on scheduled or extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and Follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today declared an unchanged quarterly dividend of 39 cents per share of outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable March 1, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 2021.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: our ability to become current in our SEC reporting obligations; the results of our ongoing internal investigation and evaluation of our controls framework, the extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers, contractors and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters including, but not limited to, matters relating to rates; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings and maintaining financial flexibility; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as a recession, significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions in response to such conditions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risks that are included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE:FE) annual "Merry & Bright" Holiday Lights Contest is back, and utility customers are once again invited to show off their best and brightest outdoor holiday light displays for the chance to win a weekly prize.

A photo or video of customers' outdoor lighting displays can be submitted on their respective electric company's Facebook page until Friday, Dec. 18. One entry from each of FirstEnergy's 10 utility companies will be randomly selected to receive a $100 Amazon® gift card each week. The winning entries will be shared on Facebook.

Participants must be 18 years old and current FirstEnergy customers. Additional information and complete contest rules are available on each utility's Facebook page.

Keep Safety Top of Mind During the Holidays

As homes are adorned with twinkling lights, trees, wreaths and more, FirstEnergy reminds customers to decorate safely for the holidays, as well as how to stay safe around electricity and near the company's power lines and equipment. By taking the proper precautions both inside and outside of the home, customers can prevent hazards and focus on enjoying the holiday season.

Stop. Look. Live. – Decorate Safely Outdoors

• FirstEnergy encourages everyone to follow three simple steps to avoid dangerous accidental contact with electrical equipment:
• Stop. Stop what you're doing to consider your personal safety before beginning to work.
• Look. Look around for potential hazards and identify a way to avoid the hazard.
• Live. Prevent serious injury or death by taking precautions to avoid accidental contact with electrical equipment.
• Do not install outdoor lights, inflatables and other decorations under or near any electric power lines. If an object comes in contact with the utility's electrical equipment, do not attempt to remove it. Call 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877) so that a FirstEnergy crew can remove it safely.
• Check all lights for frayed wires or areas where insulation has pulled away from plugs or sockets. Discard and replace any damaged light strings.
• Do not hammer tacks or nails into the electrical cord when hanging lights. Instead, use clips to safely attach lights to the house.
• Use only extension cords that are approved for outdoor use. These cords must meet rigorous safety standards that indoor cords may not meet.
• Outdoor lights, inflatables and other decorations should be plugged into outlets protected by ground fault interrupters. 
• Place outdoor lights on a timer or turn them off before going to bed. This also helps to manage electricity use during the holiday season.
• Lights should be approved by Underwriters Laboratory. "UL" will be clearly displayed on the tag, signifying the product has been inspected for potential safety hazards. Red UL marks indicate the lights are safe for indoor/outdoor use, and green UL marks indicate the lights are only safe for indoor use.

More outdoor safety information for families, contractors, first responders and more is available at www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety.

Indoor Lighting Safety

• Inspect all light strings and cords for any damage, including frayed wires or insulation that has pulled away from light sockets or plugs. Also check for damage from chewing or scratching if there are pets in the house. Discard and replace any damaged light strings.
• No more than three strings of standard indoor lights should be connected to any extension cord.
• Make sure cords are placed where they won't be stepped on, kinked or pose a tripping hazard.
• Lights should not touch drapes, furniture or carpeting.
• Lights should be turned off overnight and when no one is home.
• Live trees should be kept well-watered.

For more holiday safety tips and to enter the "Merry & Bright" Holiday Lights Contest, connect with a FirstEnergy utility company on Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/OhioEdison
• www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo
• www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison
• www.facebook.com/PennPower
• www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric
• www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric
• www.facebook.com/WestPennPower
• www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison
• www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV
• www.facebook.com/JCPandL

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter at @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and its subsidiaries are nearing the completion of work to rebuild and modernize an existing 138-kilovolt (kV) power line expected to enhance service reliability for more than 100,000 Ohio Edison customers in Portage and Trumbull counties.

Rebuilding nearly 140 wooden and steel structures and installing new, higher-capacity conductor wires will reinforce the line against severe weather and help reduce outages on the transmission system. Fiber optic cable also will be added for enhanced network communications, allowing grid operators to react more quickly and effectively to disturbances on the system. The line extends approximately 20 miles to connect existing electric substations in Newton Falls and Ravenna. Construction activities are limited to the existing transmission corridor.

Line construction began in May, and the project is on track to be completed by the end of this year.

"Investing in our infrastructure is crucial because it will help reduce the number of customers impacted by storm outages as well as shorten the length of outages when they do occur," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power. "By rebuilding an existing line, we can enhance our ability to serve customers, better manage maintenance expenses, and minimize the project's impact on local communities and the environment."

The project is part of Energizing the Future, a multi-year investment initiative aimed at upgrading FirstEnergy's transmission facilities with advanced equipment and technologies that will reinforce the power grid and help reduce the frequency and duration of customer outages. Since launching the initiative in 2014, FirstEnergy has achieved a 50% reduction in equipment-related transmission outages across its Ohio service area, as well as the Penn Power and West Penn Power territories in western Pennsylvania.

Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of utility personnel completing the transmission work are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel upgrading the transmission line and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Nov. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has installed new interior fencing at an Allegany County substation to help deter climbing animals and protect against electrical equipment interference that can cause power outages. The fencing was installed at the Thomas Street substation in Cumberland, around the 433-foot perimeter of the equipment, to help keep electricity safely flowing to customers while keeping animals out of harm's way. 

Next to weather-related damage, animal intrusions are the most common cause of substation outages. Unlike other types of animal traps and deterrents, the special fencing installed by Potomac Edison prevents a wide range of climbing animals – including squirrels, raccoons, opossums, cats, frogs and others – from accessing the substation equipment and discourages them from trying again. Squirrels and other climbing animals have a highly developed memory that enables them to remember locations for food, warmth and shelter. With one brief contact with a fence panel, animals learn that a substation is not a welcoming location to visit and typically avoid it in the future.

"Equipment interference from an animal intrusion can cost thousands of dollars in damage and require hundreds of labor hours to repair as well as causing extended outages for customers," said James A. Sears, Jr., president of FirstEnergy's Maryland operations. "This special fencing is an economical solution to prevent these types of service disruptions in the future."

The Cumberland substation serves nearly 3,800 customers in Allegany County. Potomac Edison has installed this special fencing at 17 substations across its service territory since 2014 and has seen a sharp decline in substation outages due to animals as a result. The company reviews outage patterns across its footprint to determine the best locations for interior substation fencing.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is wrapping up grid modernization work expected to enhance electric service reliability for more than 150,000 customers in Ashtabula and Lake counties.

Customers will benefit from installation of 37 new automated reclosing devices that will help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions. The electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home that shuts off power when trouble occurs, with the added benefit of automatically reenergizing a power line within seconds for certain types of outages to keep power safely flowing to customers.

Reclosing devices allow utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers rather than sending a crew to investigate, which is especially helpful in rural or hard-to-access areas. This automated technology is safer and more efficient. To determine the best locations for these devices, utility personnel reviewed outage patterns across The Illuminating Company's service territory and identified areas that would benefit from an automated reclosing device.

The projects also include replacing 11 miles of existing power lines with thicker, durable wire designed to withstand tree debris and severe weather elements. New utility poles were installed to support the electrical infrastructure and additional power lines were constructed to connect customers to an alternate circuit, allowing for more flexibility in restoring outages due to events such as storms or vehicle accidents. The work provides a backup power feed that will help keep the lights on for customers if wires or equipment on their regular line are damaged or need to be taken out of service.

In addition, nearly 30 capacitor banks are being installed to help ensure all customers served by a single power line receive the same flow of safe, reliable electric service by evenly distributing electricity down the line.

"This work to modernize our distribution system is necessary to meet the growing energy demands of our customers for many years to come," said Mark Jones, regional president of The Illuminating Company. "The completion of this work ahead of winter is an added bonus because it strengthens our electric system when customers depend on it the most to stay warm, and it will benefit them year-round."

The first phase of this work in this area began in July and should be completed by the end of this year. It is part of The Illuminating Company's Grid Modernization Plan, a three-year investment approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to modernize the electric distribution system in Ohio. In 2021, the company plans to start the second phase of work in this area, which includes installing nearly 30 additional automated reclosing devices, 37 capacitor banks and other equipment that will benefit thousands of customers in Ashtabula and Lake counties.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is wrapping up grid modernization work expected to enhance electric service reliability for more than 200,000 customers in parts of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula and Columbiana counties.

Customers will benefit from installation of more than 20 new automated reclosing devices that will help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions. The electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home that shuts off power when trouble occurs, with the added benefit of automatically reenergizing a power line within seconds for certain types of outages to keep power safely flowing to customers.

These devices allow utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers rather than sending a crew to investigate, which is especially helpful in rural or hard-to-access areas. This automated technology is safer and more efficient. To determine the best locations for these devices, utility personnel reviewed outage patterns across Ohio Edison's service territory and identified areas that would benefit from an automated reclosing device.

The projects also include replacing 11 miles of existing power lines with thicker, durable wire designed to withstand tree debris and severe weather elements. New utility poles were installed to support the electrical infrastructure and additional power lines were constructed to connect customers to an alternate circuit, allowing for more flexibility in restoring outages due to events such as storms or vehicle accidents. The work provides a backup power feed that will help keep the lights on for customers if wires or equipment on their regular line are damaged or need to be taken out of service.

"Severe storms have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Penn Power and Ohio Edison. "The completion of this work ahead of winter strengthens our electric system to help keep the power flowing safely and reliably to customers when they depend on it the most to stay warm and comfortable, and it will benefit them year-round."

The work in this area began in March and is on track for completion by the end of the year. It is part of Ohio Edison's Grid Modernization Plan, a three-year investment approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to modernize the electric distribution system in Ohio. Similar grid modernization work is planned across the entire Ohio Edison footprint.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of Ohio Edison crews restringing power lines and installing new equipment are available for download on Flickr.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures fall, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) customers can take steps to manage their energy usage while keeping warm.

Cool temperatures can often lead to rising energy usage for customers as the need for heat increases and HVAC systems strain to keep up with higher demand. While customers are unable to control the weather, there are several things they can do to keep their homes warm without relying solely on their home's heating unit.

Implementing the following tips will help customers use electricity wisely during the cold winter months:

• Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your setting by just one degree can lower heating bills by 3 percent.
• Dress for the weather. Wearing an extra layer or wrapping up in a blanket while you're relaxing can help you feel more comfortable without turning up the thermostat.
• Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use to keep cold air out.
• Close the drapes at night. During the day, only open those that receive direct sunlight.
• Turn off lights when you aren't using them, and use a timer for outdoor lighting.
• Change furnace filters regularly to ensure your heating system is working efficiently.
• Keep registers for supply or return air free of obstructions like curtains or furniture.
• Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to prevent cold air from sneaking into your home.
• Wrap exposed pipes and water heaters that are in unconditioned spaces.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. If you have less than six inches of insulation, you'll benefit by adding more.
• Locate your thermostat on an inside wall and away from windows and doors. Cold drafts can cause the thermostat to keep the system running unnecessarily.
• Consider investing in ENERGY STAR® appliances or heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. FirstEnergy's utilities may offer rebates on these purchases and tax deductions may apply as well.

Other FirstEnergy energy conservation tips are available at www.firstenergycorp.com/saveenergy.

For assistance resources available to help with high winter bills, customers may visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is on schedule to complete 15 substation recloser replacements by the end of this year, part of a broader initiative to enhance service reliability for customers across its Maryland service area that began in 2019.

Reclosers are located at all Potomac Edison substations to protect the power lines that feed customers. Similar to a household circuit breaker, a recloser is an automatic, high-voltage electric switch that shuts off power when trouble occurs, such as when a tree branch contacts a power line. The device then resets itself and restores power when the trouble has been removed.

The newer model reclosers being installed include single-phase technology, which can isolate a problem on one portion of a power line while keeping electricity flowing through the remainder, minimizing the number of customers interrupted by certain types of outages. Potomac Edison personnel also can operate the newer model reclosers remotely to assist line workers in the field during restoration activities.

"By making this important upgrade to our equipment, we will help reduce the number of momentary and sustained power outages our customers experience and improve the efficiency of our system," said James A. Sears, Jr., president of FirstEnergy's Maryland operations.

The new reclosers will benefit customers in the Barnesville, Beallsville, Corriganville, Frostburg, Huyetts Crossroads, Jennings, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Poolesville and Union Bridge communities. Potomac Edison is installing 15 new substation recloser replacements annually at a cost of $1 million per year and is scheduled to replace 25% of its reclosers by the end of 2022.

The recloser replacement initiative is one of three reliability improvement programs currently scheduled to run through the end of 2022 and approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission last year. In addition to the recloser replacements, Potomac Edison is replacing approximately 50 miles of underground electrical cable each year and is undertaking enhancements to its distribution platform that will automatically connect customers in certain areas to alternate circuits in the event of outages.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.                      

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced today that on November 17, 2020, the Company received notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that the Company is not in compliance with the NYSE's continued listing requirements under the timely filing criteria outlined in Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual because the company failed to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020 (Form 10-Q), which was due to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) no later than November 16, 2020.

FirstEnergy previously filed a Form 12b-25 with the SEC on November 9, 2020, to extend the due date for the Form 10-Q from November 9, 2020, the date on which such report was initially due, to November 16, 2020.

The NYSE notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's stock on the NYSE or on any of the Company's outstanding bonds. The NYSE informed the Company that, under the NYSE's rules, the Company has six months, until May 17, 2021, to file its Form 10-Q, and any subsequent delayed filings and regain compliance with the NYSE listing standards. The Company intends to become current in its SEC reporting obligations as soon as possible.

During the course of the Company's internal investigation related to ongoing government investigations, the existence of which was previously disclosed in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020, the Independent Review Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Committee) determined that three executives, including the Company's former Chief Executive Officer, violated certain Company policies and its code of conduct and should be terminated. The terminations were effective October 29, 2020. Following the Committee's determination regarding these violations of certain Company policies and its code of conduct, the Company is re-evaluating its controls framework, which could include identifying one or more material weaknesses. Further, the internal investigation remains ongoing.

In connection with the ongoing government investigations and the Company's re-evaluation of its controls framework, which could include identifying one or more material weaknesses, the Company requires additional time to complete its quarterly review and closing procedures and to provide appropriate disclosure in the Form 10-Q.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: our ability to become current in our SEC reporting obligations; the results of our ongoing internal investigation and evaluation of our controls framework, the extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers, contractors and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters including, but not limited to, matters relating to rates; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings and maintaining financial flexibility; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as a recession, significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions in response to such conditions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risks that are included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) utilities have restored service to more than 371,000 customers who lost power after windstorms swept through the company's entire service area Sunday. Crews are working around the clock to assess damage and restore service to approximately 72,000 customers who remain without power in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

Beginning early Sunday in western Ohio and moving eastward throughout the day, powerful winds between 45-55 mph and gusting up to more than 65 mph brought down tree limbs and caused widespread damage to FirstEnergy's utility poles and equipment.

"The heavy winds caused thousands of instances of downed wires, broken poles and crossarms, and damaged transformers caused by trees and other debris contacting our electrical equipment," said Samuel L. Belcher, senior vice president and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "Though repair work can be slowed by unsafe working conditions and numerous road closures, we will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and deploy resources as needed until power to all customers has been restored."

All available company resources are working to restore power across all 10 of the utility's operating companies: The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison in Ohio; Penn Power, Penelec, West Penn Power and Met-Ed in Pennsylvania; Mon Power in West Virginia; Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland; and JCP&L in New Jersey. Support personnel from FirstEnergy's corporate offices also are included in the company's contingent.

The companies have coordinated with contractors and electrical industry mutual assistance organizations to secure more than 800 additional resources to assist in the hardest hit areas in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Current outage updates as of 5:00 p.m. today include:

• Toledo Edison: Approximately 15,400 customers lost power due to the storm, and approximately 500 remain without service. The remaining customers are expected to have power restored by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.
• The Illuminating Company: Approximately 96,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 22,000 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, approximately 74% of affected customers are expected to have power restored by the end of the day today. Service restoration for the majority of remaining customers is expected by 11:00 p.m. Wednesday.
• Ohio Edison: Approximately 116,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 25,000 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, many customers are expected to have power restored by Wednesday evening; however, the majority of customers in the hardest hit areas are expected to have power restored by 4:00 p.m. Thursday.
• Penn Power: Approximately 9,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 1,000 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, the majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Penelec: Approximately 70,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 14,500 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, most customers are expected to have power restored by tomorrow evening, with any remaining customers in the hardest hit areas expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m., Wednesday.
• West Penn Power: Approximately 50,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 4,300 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, the majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.
• Met-Ed: Approximately 36,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 2,000 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, the majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.
• Mon Power: Approximately 15,500 customers lost power due to the storm, and 700 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, the majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.
• Potomac Edison: Approximately 11,600 customers lost power due to the storm, and 300 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, the majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11:00 tonight.
• JCP&L: Approximately 29,000 customers lost power due to the storm, and 1,200 remain without service. Based on current outages and damage assessments, approximately 99% of impacted customers are expected to have power restored by 11:00 p.m. tonight, with service restoration for the majority of remaining customers expected by 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Customer-specific restoration estimates will be updated when available. For updates, please login to your utility account, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), or visit www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately call 911 if they see downed wires. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages.

Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect. You can also follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on social media here: https://firstenergycorp.com/newsroom/social_media.html

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

READING, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter just around the corner, Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is inspecting and completing maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment to help enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers in its 14-county eastern and south-central Pennsylvania service area. 

Winter's frigid temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow, wind and ice have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment before the snow falls can help keep power flowing to customers.

"Our preparations do not end with inspecting electrical infrastructure and preparing our vehicles for winter operations," said Linda Moss, Met-Ed regional president. "Employee and public safety are our top priority. Ours is an unforgiving business, so we review cold-weather procedures and time-proven safety measures with our line workers and other field employees to help ensure not only their safety, but that of our customers during winter."

Fall work includes inspecting heaters for substation components such as capacitor banks, circuit breakers and gas- and oil-filled transformers. Certain larger substations have buildings that house remote-controlled relay equipment, which are winterized and inspected to ensure their heating systems are ready for the season. 

Meanwhile, substation electricians diligently inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope. Crews use thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Our mechanics inspect bucket trucks – the trusted workhorses of our fleet – to ensure they are safe to operate and ready to roll on snow-covered roads and freezing temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air brakes, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is checked as well, to ensure that a simple detail like ensuring access to substations, clear work areas and sidewalks at our service centers and other facilities is not overlooked.

Helicopter patrols also are completing inspections on approximately 1,400 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the Met-Ed area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems invisible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Met-Ed tree contractors have trimmed about 2,600 circuit miles of electric lines this year and are on track to complete nearly 3,200 total miles of trimming by the end of 2020.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. 

Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers in 14 Pennsylvania counties.  Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Met-Ed customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To help keep power flowing to customers in the cold winter months, Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for winter in its Maryland and West Virginia service areas by conducting inspections and maintenance to help enhance system reliability.

Snow, ice and wind have the potential to damage equipment such as poles, wires and substations during the winter season, when demand for electricity is typically high. Potomac Edison is working to complete inspections and maintenance now to help preempt difficult repairs in harsh conditions and to keep power flowing to its customers in the months ahead.

"By actively preparing our power infrastructure and our fleet vehicles for potentially challenging winter weather, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and to ensure employee safety as the temperature drops," said James A. Sears, Jr., vice president of Potomac Edison.

Potomac Edison is inspecting substation components such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation control buildings that house protective relays and remote monitoring and control equipment will be winterized and have their heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power relays and motors that sense faults on the network and operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions. Electricians view critical components through special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are also being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked, and Potomac Edison will place salt containers and snow shovels at each of its service centers for employee safety and operational continuity.

Since mid-October, helicopter patrols have been inspecting approximately 1,400 miles of transmission lines located in the Potomac Edison service area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Potomac Edison tree contractors expect to complete trimming along more than 2,600 circuit miles of electric lines in 2020.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Potomac Edison customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/potomac-edison-prepares-for-winter-weather-301172203.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter just around the corner, West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is inspecting and completing maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment to help enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers in its 24-county western and central Pennsylvania service territory.

Winter's frigid temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow, wind and ice have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment before the snow falls can help keep power flowing to customers.

"Our preparations do not end with inspecting electrical infrastructure and preparing our vehicles for winter operations," said John Rea, West Penn Power regional president. "Employee and public safety are our top priority. Ours is an unforgiving business, so we review cold-weather procedures and time-proven safety measures with our line workers and other field employees to help ensure not only their safety, but that of our customers during winter."

Fall work includes inspecting heaters for substation components such as capacitor banks, circuit breakers and gas- and oil-filled transformers. Certain larger substations have buildings that house electrical equipment that is winterized and inspected to ensure their heating systems are ready for the season. 

Meanwhile, substation electricians diligently inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope. Crews use thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Our mechanics inspect bucket trucks – the trusted workhorses of our fleet – to ensure they are safe to operate and ready to roll on snow-covered roads and freezing temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air brakes, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is checked as well, to ensure that a simple detail like ensuring access to substations, clear work areas and sidewalks at our service centers and other facilities is not overlooked.

Helicopter patrols also are completing inspections on approximately 1,700 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the West Penn Power area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems invisible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. West Penn Power tree contractors have trimmed about 4,000 circuit miles of electric lines this year and are on track to complete nearly 4,600 total miles of trimming by the end of 2020.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. 

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for West Penn Power customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/west-penn-power-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-weather-301172204.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To help keep power flowing to customers during the cold winter season, Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for winter in its West Virginia service area by conducting inspections and maintenance to help enhance system reliability.

Snow, ice and wind have the potential to damage equipment such as poles, wires and substations during the winter season, when demand for electricity is typically high. Mon Power is working to complete inspections and maintenance now to help preempt difficult repairs in harsh conditions and to keep power flowing to its customers in the months ahead.

"By actively preparing our power infrastructure and our fleet vehicles for potentially challenging winter weather, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and to ensure employee safety as the temperature drops," said Jim Myers, president of West Virginia operations for Mon Power.

Mon Power is inspecting substation components such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation control buildings that house protective relays and remote monitoring and control equipment will be winterized and have their heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power relays and motors that sense faults on the network and operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions. Electricians view critical components through special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are also being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked.

Helicopter patrols have been inspecting approximately 2,100 miles of transmission lines located in the Mon Power service area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Mon Power tree contractors have completed trimming along 4,600 circuit miles of electric lines and along nearly 400 miles of transmission lines this year.

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Mon Power customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mon-power-prepares-for-winter-weather-301172201.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

ERIE, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is inspecting and completing maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment to help enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers in its 31-county western and central Pennsylvania service area.

Winter's frigid temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow, wind and ice have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment before the snow falls can help keep power flowing to customers.

"Our preparations do not end with inspecting electrical infrastructure and preparing our vehicles for winter operations," said Nick Austin, Penelec regional president. "Employee and public safety are our top priority. Ours is an unforgiving business, so we review cold-weather procedures and time-proven safety measures with our line workers and other field employees to help ensure not only their safety, but that of our customers during winter."

Fall work includes inspecting heaters for substation components such as capacitor banks, circuit breakers and gas- and oil-filled transformers. Certain larger substations have buildings that house remote-controlled relay equipment, which are winterized and inspected to ensure their heating systems are ready for the season. 

Meanwhile, substation electricians diligently inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope. Crews use thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Mechanics inspect bucket trucks – the trusted workhorses of our fleet – to ensure they are safe to operate and ready to roll on snow-covered roads and freezing temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air brakes, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is checked as well, to ensure that a simple detail like ensuring access to substations, clear work areas and sidewalks at our service centers and other facilities is not overlooked.

Helicopter patrols also are completing inspections on approximately 2,500 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the Penelec area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems invisible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Penelec tree contractors have trimmed about 3,700 circuit miles of electric lines this year and are on track to complete nearly 4,300 total miles of trimming by the end of 2020.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. 

Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Penelec customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penelec-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-weather-301172193.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

NEW CASTLE, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter approaches, the Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is wrapping up the installation of new interior fencing in three substations to help deter climbing animals that often seek food, shelter and warmth during the cold-weather months, as well as protect against electrical equipment interference that can cause power outages.

This work builds upon the company's previous system upgrades that have eliminated animal-related power outages in two Mercer County substations where the fence applications were installed last year. The fencing – installed inside of a substation around the perimeter of the equipment – keeps the animals out of harm's way and the electricity safely flowing to customers.

"Climbing animals present a threat to substation operation and electric service reliability," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Penn Power and Ohio Edison. "We are pleased to have experienced tremendous success with the interior fencing we installed last year, and we anticipate similar results with the new applications to help keep the power flowing safely and reliably to our customers this winter."

The work is part of Penn Power's second phase Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to help enhance electric service for customers. Installation of the fencing was completed at a Mercer County substation in September and a Butler County substation in November. The remaining application will be installed at a Lawrence County substation by the end of this year.

Unlike other types of animal traps and deterrents, this special fencing completely prevents climbing animals from accessing the substation equipment and discourages them from trying again. Many climbing animals, like squirrels, have a highly developed memory that enables them to remember locations for food, warmth and shelter. With one brief contact with a fence panel, animals learn that a substation is not a welcoming location to visit and typically avoid protected substations in the future.

"A single substation outage can cost thousands of dollars in equipment damage and hundreds of man hours to repair as well as cause extended outages for customers served by that circuit," said Shuttleworth. "The special fencing was an economical solution to prevent these types of service disruptions in the future."

To determine the best locations for the interior substation fencing, utility personnel reviewed outage patterns across Penn Power's service area and identified substations in Mercer, Cranberry and New Castle that had experienced animal-related equipment damage that caused lengthy power outages. These substations collectively serve nearly 15,000 customers in western Pennsylvania.

In preparation for winter, utility personnel also have completed inspections and conducted equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area.

The work includes the use of special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots, or weak points, invisible to the naked eye on electrical equipment prone to overheating and malfunctioning as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold. Substation electricians also inspected batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope.

Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn_Power, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower, and online at www.pennpower.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of Penn Power crews installing an interior substation fence are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel installing the fence application and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penn-power-wraps-up-projects-to-strengthen-electric-system-ahead-of-winter-301172199.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To help keep the power flowing to customers through the cold winter months, Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and conducting equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area. 

Winter's cold temperatures can produce increased demand for electricity, and heavy snow and wind have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment now can help to enhance system reliability when the snow begins to fly.

"Winter maintenance procedures for our infrastructure, combined with fleet maintenance designed to prepare our vehicles for winter operations, make a difference when the weather turns cold," said Rich Sweeney, regional president of Toledo Edison. "The steps we take now in advance of potential severe weather conditions help to enhance the service we provide to our customers."

The work includes inspecting heating equipment for substation components, such as capacitor banks, transformers, and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Some substations also include buildings that house protective relays, batteries and various control equipment. These structures will be winterized and have the heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power substation controls and protective relays that sense faults on the network and automatically operate circuit breakers to isolate those problems, helping to prevent damage to power lines and other power distribution equipment. Crews use special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment prone to overheating and malfunctioning as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and any air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked. Plows are used to help crews gain access to substations, and to clear the work areas and sidewalks at company service garages and other facilities.

Helicopter patrols are completing inspections on FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the Toledo Edison area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can be addressed.  

In addition, tree trimming throughout the year helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Toledo Edison has already completed trimming along more than 2,000 miles of lines in 2020, with work along approximately 75 more miles to be completed by the end of the year.

Employee safety remains a priority during the pandemic, and cold weather can impact the health and safety of our workers. Toledo Edison's cold-weather operational procedures are reviewed with linemen, substation electricians, metermen and meter readers in advance of any frigid conditions. Toledo Edison personnel often take extra measures to stay warm when working in extreme cold to restore power after an outage. Driving safety is reviewed with the crews as winter often brings treacherous driving conditions. 

FirstEnergy's utilities also have made it easier for customers to check the progress of service restoration efforts when they experience a power outage. The company's 24/7 Power Center outage maps now display the status of crews restoring service after a power outage. With this enhancement, FirstEnergy utility customers can see when crews have been dispatched, when they are working on a repair, and when additional crews or equipment are needed to complete restoration work. This information is also provided through the companies' web-based outage information and text messaging and alert services.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of FirstEnergy's utilities' winter inspection and maintenance programs are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toledo-edison-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-weather-301172198.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for the winter season by conducting inspections and equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area. These efforts are expected to enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers throughout JCP&L's service footprint.

Winter's cold temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow and wind have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help enhance system resiliency to keep power flowing to customers when the snow begins to fall.

"Our winter maintenance protocols help ensure that our system will be ready to perform once the cold weather returns and inclement weather conditions follow," said Alex Patton, vice president of Operations, JCP&L. "These proactive measures in advance of any severe weather conditions help keep the lights on for our customers and enhance overall service reliability."

The work includes inspecting heating equipment for substation components, such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation buildings that house remote-controlled relay equipment will be winterized and the heating systems will be checked.

Substation electricians also inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked.  

Helicopter patrols have been inspecting transmission lines located in the JCP&L service area to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed. 

JCP&L's tree contractors have completed trimming work along 2,950 circuit miles of electric lines to date this year, and they are on track to complete an additional 450 miles of tree trimming by the end of December.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. Employees are also taking extra precautions to work safely throughout the coronavirus health emergency, including social distancing, alternating shifts and splitting into smaller work groups.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for JCP&L customers are available for download on Flickr.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jcpl-conducting-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-season-301172197.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the cold-weather months expected to produce higher electric usage, Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and equipment maintenance expected to enhance service reliability for customers who rely on power to stay warm, safe and comfortable. 

"We proactively inspect and maintain our equipment to help ensure system reliability to meet the increased electrical demand when the temperatures drop," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power. "We anticipate many customers will continue to spend more time at home, including working and learning remotely during the winter, and our goal is to deliver the safe and reliable power they rely on."

Helicopter patrols have completed inspections on nearly 10,000 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located across Ohio Edison's service territory this year. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections can be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet snow on branches. Ohio Edison's tree contractors are on track to complete tree trimming along nearly 5,000 circuit miles of electric lines in 2020.

On the ground, proactive equipment inspections include using "thermovision" cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment that can detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or "hot spots" indicating areas that could need repairs. These images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, and utility workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future.

Other utility work being done by Ohio Edison personnel includes inspecting distribution circuits, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and lightning arrestors to ensure the equipment is operational and the lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases during the winter, typically due to heating.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is also being checked. 

Ohio Edison employees also participated in virtual readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company's restoration process used to repair winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common in the utility industry in the wake of severe weather over the last several years.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Ohio Edison customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ohio-edison-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-to-help-enhance-customer-service-reliability-through-winter-season-301172208.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the cold-weather months expected to produce higher electric usage, The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and equipment maintenance expected to enhance service reliability for customers who rely on power to stay warm, safe and comfortable.  

"Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help enhance system resiliency to keep power flowing to customers when severe winter weather strikes," said Mark Jones, regional president of The Illuminating Company. "Many customers are spending more time at home during the current pandemic, and our goal is to deliver the safe and reliable power they rely on." 

Helicopter patrols have completed inspections on nearly 2,500 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located across The Illuminating Company's service territory this year. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections can be addressed.  

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet snow on branches. The Illuminating Company's tree contractors have completed trimming work along 1,600 circuit miles of electric lines to date this year, and they are on track to complete an additional 300 miles of tree trimming by the end of December.

On the ground, proactive equipment inspections include using "thermovision" cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment that can detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or "hot spots" indicating areas that could need repairs. These images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, and utility workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future. 

Other utility work being done by The Illuminating Company personnel includes inspecting distribution circuits, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and lightning arrestors to ensure the equipment is operational and the lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases during the winter, typically due to heating. 

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is also being checked.  

The Illuminating Company's employees also participated in virtual readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company's restoration process used to repair winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common in the utility industry in the wake of severe weather over the last several years. 

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp. 

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for The Illuminating Company's customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel. 

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-illuminating-company-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-to-help-enhance-customer-service-reliability-through-winter-season-301172207.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aligned with its mission to help build a brighter and more sustainable future for the communities it serves, FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE:FE) today announced a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The company also set an interim goal for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases within the company's direct operational control by 2030, based on 2019 levels.

"We believe climate change is among the most important issues of our time," said President and Acting Chief Executive Officer Steven E. Strah. "We will help address this challenge by building a more climate-resilient energy system and supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Our ambitious new carbon goal and comprehensive climate strategy are fully aligned with our regulated business strategy and support our commitments to our customers, communities and investors, as well as environmental stewardship."

FirstEnergy's comprehensive Climate Position and Strategy Statement outlines the company's aggressive, business-wide plans to mitigate risks from climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enable its customers and communities to thrive in a carbon-neutral economy. Actions to achieve these goals include:

• Hardening its transmission and distribution systems to reduce the physical risks of climate change
• Replacing conventional utility trucks with electric and hybrid vehicles and responsibly replacing other aging equipment that emits greenhouse gasses
• Reducing emissions at its small regulated generation fleet, while preparing for the transition away from coal-fired power in West Virginia by 2050
• Supporting renewable and distributed energy resources, including seeking approval in 2021 to construct a solar generation source of at least 50 megawatts in West Virginia
• Utilizing advanced technology to enable customers to manage their energy use
• Integrating carbon pricing into financial forecasting
• Empowering employees to identify opportunities that drive environmental responsibility

Oversight, accountability and risk mitigation for the climate policy will be provided by an executive steering committee in partnership with the Board and company leadership.

In 2015, FirstEnergy announced plans to achieve a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from 2005 levels by 2045. To date, the company has reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 80% by implementing new technologies and retiring or transferring generation assets. The new goals represent a significant expansion of this target and reflect FirstEnergy's transformation to a fully regulated utility.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the results of our ongoing internal investigation and evaluation of its controls framework, the extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers, contractors and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as a recession, significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions in response to such conditions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risks that are included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is constructing two specially designed flood walls to help protect the Sussex and Canoe Brook substations in Sussex County, N.J., from rising flood waters that can accompany severe weather.

The flood walls are designed to help prevent power outages by protecting substation property and equipment from intruding water. A four-foot high, L-shaped concrete wall with an automatic, waterproof gate has been constructed around each substation. Pressure from rising water causes the gate to raise up automatically, protecting the equipment within the substation with no need for electronic sensors and switches or operator action.

Work at the Sussex substation was completed earlier this year, and construction of the Canoe Brook substation flood wall is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2020.

"Identifying and addressing the potential for flooding that can impact our substations and cause outages for customers has been an area of focus for JCP&L," said Alex Patton, vice president, Operations for JCP&L. "Construction of these specially designed substation walls helps eliminate the flooding concern and advances our ongoing efforts to ensure more resilient and reliable electricity for our customers through the JCP&L Reliability Plus infrastructure improvement plan." 

Located within a designated flood zone in Clove Brook, N.J., the Sussex and Canoe Brook substations were strategically chosen to receive the flood mitigation measures based on a history of flooding. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, JCP&L installed a similar flood wall system with two automatic gates at its Monmouth Beach substation, which has since experienced no significant flooding.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's Note: Photos of the flood wall sites in Sussex and Canoe Brook are available for download on Flickr. A video featuring the Canoe Brook flood wall site can be found on the company's YouTube channel.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today reported third quarter 2020 GAAP earnings of $454 million, or $0.84 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $3 billion. In the third quarter of 2019, FirstEnergy reported GAAP earnings of $391 million, or $0.73 per basic share of common stock ($0.72 diluted), on revenue of $3 billion. Third quarter 2019 results include the impact of special items listed below.

Operating (non-GAAP) earnings* for the third quarter of 2020 were also $0.84 per share, one cent per share above the company's guidance range. In the third quarter of 2019, operating (non-GAAP) earnings were $0.76 per share.  

"Our strong third quarter results reflect the hard work, resiliency and attention to safety demonstrated by our employees during this year of unprecedented challenges," said Steven E. Strah, FirstEnergy's acting chief executive officer.

"While our Board initiated changes to our leadership team last week, our company's primary focus remains the same: providing reliable service to our customers and executing our growth initiatives," he said.

FirstEnergy updated its full-year 2020 GAAP earnings forecast range to $700 million to $1.16 billion, or $1.29 to $2.14 per share based on 542 million shares outstanding, and affirmed its full-year operating (non-GAAP) earnings guidance of $2.40 to $2.60 per share.

The company also affirmed its long-term growth rate projections. FirstEnergy remains on track to achieve 6% to 8% compound annual operating (non-GAAP) earnings growth (CAGR)** from 2018 to 2021, as well as its extended CAGR of 5% to 7% through 2023. That projection includes plans to issue up to $600 million of equity annually starting in 2022 to fund the company's regulated growth initiatives.

Third Quarter Results           

In FirstEnergy's Regulated Distribution business, third quarter 2020 operating results benefited from higher residential volume, incremental rider revenues in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and weather-related usage. These drivers were partially offset by higher depreciation expense compared to the third quarter of 2019.  

Total distribution deliveries decreased 1.7% compared to the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to the impact of the pandemic on commercial and industrial sales. Residential sales increased 5.1% as many people continue to work and attend school from home. Commercial deliveries decreased 5.5%, while sales to industrial customers decreased 6.3%.

In the Regulated Transmission business, third quarter 2020 operating results were flat compared to the same period in 2019 as higher rate base associated with the company's ongoing investments in its Energizing the Future transmission program were offset by higher net financing costs and taxes.

In the Corporate/Other segment, third quarter 2020 operating results reflect higher tax benefits compared to the same quarter of 2019, partially offset by higher expenses.

For the first nine months of 2020, FirstEnergy reported GAAP earnings of $837 million, or $1.54 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $8.3 billion. This compares to GAAP earnings of $1 billion, or $1.90 per basic share of common stock ($1.89 diluted), on revenue of $8.4 billion in the first nine months of 2019. Results for both periods reflect the impact of special items listed below.

Operating (non-GAAP) earnings* for the first nine months of 2020 were $2.07 per share, compared to $2.04 per share in the first nine months of 2019.

Non-GAAP financial measures
* Operating earnings (loss) excludes "special items" as described below, and is a non-GAAP financial measure. Special items represent charges incurred or benefits realized that management believes are not indicative of, or may obscure trends useful in evaluating the Company's ongoing core activities and results of operations or otherwise warrant separate classification. Special items also reflect the adjustment to include the full impact of share dilution from the $2.5 billion equity issuance in January 2018. Special items are not necessarily non-recurring. Management uses Operating earnings (loss) and Operating earnings (loss) per share to evaluate the Company's performance and manage its operations and frequently references these non-GAAP financial measures in its decision making, using them to facilitate historical and ongoing performance comparisons. Additionally, management uses Operating earnings (loss) per share by segment to further evaluate the Company's performance by segment and references this non-GAAP financial measure in its decision making. Operating earnings (loss) per share and Operating earnings (loss) per share for each segment is calculated by dividing Operating earnings (loss), which excludes special items as discussed herein, for the periods presented in 2020 by 542 million shares, 540 million shares for the third quarter of 2019 and 539 million shares in the first nine months of 2019, which reflects the full impact of share dilution from the equity issuance in January 2018. Basic EPS (GAAP) is based on 542 million shares for the periods presented in 2020, and 538 million and 533 million shares for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures of Operating earnings (loss) and Operating earnings (loss) per share and Operating earnings (loss) per share by segment provide consistent and comparable measures of performance of its businesses on an ongoing basis. Management also believes that such measures are useful to shareholders and other interested parties to understand performance trends and evaluate the Company against its peer group by presenting period-over-period operating results without the effect of certain charges or benefits that may not be consistent or comparable across periods or across the Company's peer group. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to complement, and are not considered as alternatives to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Also, the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, FirstEnergy has provided, where possible without unreasonable effort, quantitative reconciliations within this presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

** The Company's management team cannot estimate on a forward-looking basis the impact of special items in the context of Operating earnings (loss) per share growth projections because special items, which could be significant, are difficult to predict and may be highly variable. Consequently, the Company is unable to reconcile Operating earnings (loss) per share growth projections to a GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

Investor Materials and Teleconference

FirstEnergy's Strategic and Financial Highlights and Investor Factbook are posted on the company's Investor Information website – www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. To access the report, click on the Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results link.

The company invites investors, customers and other interested parties to listen to a live webcast of its teleconference for financial analysts and view presentation slides at 9 a.m. EDT today. FirstEnergy management will present an overview of the company's financial results, followed by a question-and-answer session. The teleconference and presentation can be accessed on the website by selecting the Third Quarter 2020 Earnings Webcast link. The webcast and presentation will be archived on the website.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the results of our ongoing internal investigation and evaluation of its controls framework, the extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers, contractors and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as a recession, significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions in response to such conditions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risks that are included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any current intention to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independent Review Committee of the Board of Directors of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today announced a leadership transition, including the termination of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Charles E. Jones, effective immediately. FirstEnergy today also announced the termination of two other executives: its Senior Vice President of Product Development, Marketing, and Branding; and its Senior Vice President of External Affairs, effective immediately.

During the course of the Company's previously disclosed internal review related to the government investigations, the Independent Review Committee of the Board determined that these executives violated certain FirstEnergy policies and its code of conduct.

Concurrently, Steven E. Strah, President of FirstEnergy, has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. As part of this transition, Christopher D. Pappas, a current member of the Company's Board, has been named Executive Director. In this role, he remains an independent member of the Board and is not a part of the management team. He reports to Donald T. Misheff, who continues as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

Donald T. Misheff, Non-Executive Chairman, said, "We as a Board have strong confidence that this leadership transition and Steve's appointment as Acting CEO will position FirstEnergy to move forward with positive momentum and drive long-term shareholder value creation. I look forward to working with Chris in his role as Executive Director to oversee the management team's execution of FirstEnergy's strategic initiatives, engage with the Company's external stakeholders, and support the development of enhanced controls and governance policies and procedures."

Christopher D. Pappas, Executive Director, said, "Steve's deep knowledge of FirstEnergy's business and significant operational experience, having served in various leadership roles at the Company, make him uniquely positioned to execute on our strategic priorities and lead FirstEnergy through this transition. I look forward to working with Steve as we build on the Company's strong performance and continue to execute FirstEnergy's long-term, customer-focused growth strategy to enhance value for shareholders."

"I'm excited for the opportunity to lead FirstEnergy and I am deeply committed to the future of this company," said Steven E. Strah, CEO of FirstEnergy. "I have seen firsthand the strong management team and deep bench of highly capable leaders across our organization, and I am confident in our ability to continue delivering value to our stakeholders as we remain intently focused on our business priorities through this transition and beyond. Together, we will advance our mission for the benefit of customers, communities, and our employees."

About Steven Strah

Strah is a highly-respected energy executive, with 36 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of the FirstEnergy business. He was appointed President in May 2020 as part of the Company's ordinary-course succession planning process. In this role, he oversaw FirstEnergy Utilities; Corporate Services and Information Technology; Finance; Product Development, Marketing and Branding; External Affairs; Rates and Regulatory Affairs; and Strategy. He began his career with The Illuminating Company in 1984 and served in a variety of utility leadership roles including regional president of Ohio Edison; vice president, Distribution Support; and senior vice president, FirstEnergy Utilities. He was elected senior vice president and chief financial officer in 2018.

About Christopher Pappas

Pappas is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo S.A., a producer of plastics, latex and rubber. He served in this role from 2010 to 2019, and transitioned to the role of special advisor at Trinseo S.A., effective 2019. Pappas retired from Trinseo S.A. in May of 2019 and remained on the Trinseo S.A. board until his retirement in October 2020. Prior to Trinseo, he served in various leadership capacities at NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Dow Chemical, and DuPont Dow Elastomers. His extensive executive and board experience has equipped him with leadership skills and the knowledge of board processes and functions. Additionally, Pappas' general corporate decision-making and senior executive experience provides a useful background for understanding the operations of FirstEnergy. Pappas served as a director for Allegheny Energy, Inc., from 2008 through FirstEnergy's acquisition of Allegheny Energy in February 2011. He has been a director of FirstEnergy since September 2011 and also serves as a director and independent chairman of Univar Inc., a chemical distributor and provider.

Company Updates Time of Third Quarter Earnings Webcast

FirstEnergy will release financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 as planned before markets open on Monday, November 2. The conference call with financial analysts to discuss these results has been moved, and will take place at 9 a.m. EST that day.

Investors, customers and other interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call and view presentation slides via FirstEnergy's Investor Information website, www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. The webcast and presentation will be available for replay on the site for up to one year.

The company plans to post its third quarter presentation and supporting materials to the investor section of the website before markets open on November 2.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has received approval of a settlement in its base rate case from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) that will help build on service reliability enhancements made by the utility in recent years and allow the company to recover costs incurred to restore power to customers following severe storms. 

Even with the $94 million increase in its base rates, JCP&L customers will continue to pay the lowest residential electric rates among New Jersey's four regulated electric distribution companies. Investments will include additional tree trimming as well as service reliability projects that will benefit customers by hardening and modernizing the electric system. It also allows JCP&L to recover the cost of investments made since January 2016 to strengthen the electric system to meet reliability standards set by the BPU.

"This agreement helps us deliver on our commitment to keeping the lights on for our customers, enhancing service reliability and supporting the safe and timely response to power outages caused by severe weather events," said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. "To give families and businesses more time to adjust to the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, bills will remain unchanged in the near-term and the new rates will be applied to bills in November 2021."

When the new base rate is applied next November, a typical residential customer using an average of 768 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see an overall increase of $4, or approximately four percent, for an average monthly bill of about $104.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following (see Glossary of Terms for definitions of capitalized terms): the extent and duration of the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; the risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing federal criminal investigation of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder for which we have received subpoenas; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

READING, Pa., Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), plans to complete installation of more than 160 automated "TripSaver" reclosing devices on power lines across its service area in 2020 to help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions.

The electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home with the added benefit of automatically re-energizing a power line within seconds to keep power safely flowing to customers. Met-Ed crews and contractors are scheduled to install TripSavers in Boyertown, Easton, Hanover, Lebanon, Reading, Stroudsburg and York in 2020.

The $1.4 million project is part of Met-Ed's Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), a $153 million initiative to accelerate capital investments through 2024 to help ensure continued electric service reliability for the company's approximately 570,000 customers.

Utility crews install TripSavers on local neighborhood distribution lines that branch from the main power line serving an area. When there is a temporary problem with the line, such as a tree limb contacting the line, the TripSaver can sense when the branch is gone and automatically re-energize the line to prevent an extended outage in the neighborhood – all in a matter of seconds.

If the TripSaver senses a more serious issue, such as a fallen tree on the power line, it will isolate the outage to that area and limit the total number of affected customers. The device's smart technology quickly pinpoints the location of the electrical fault and helps utility personnel better understand the cause of the outage to help speed restoration.

"TripSavers allow us to automatically restore service to customers rather than send a truck and a line crew to investigate the issue, which is especially useful in more remote areas of our widespread service territory," said Linda Moss, regional president of Met-Ed. "These devices allow for safer and more efficient service restoration for both our employees and our customers."

Reliability engineers review outage information to identify the best locations for the devices, typically outage-prone distribution lines with large customer counts. A two-man crew can install four or five TripSavers per day.

Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of crews installing the TripSaver devices are available for download on Flickr, and a video of utility personnel explaining and installing a TripSaver device can be found on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), supported the cleanup of New Jersey's beaches on October 24 by participating in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) fall 2020 Beach Sweeps, serving as site sponsor for cleanup work at Belmar's 16^th Avenue Beach in Monmouth County.

"This marks the company's fourth consecutive year of participating in the Beach Sweeps, and we're proud to be part of yet another great cleanup effort," said JCP&L President Jim Fakult. "The work is a testament to our commitment to protecting the spectacular beaches of New Jersey as well as the fish and wildlife population across our service territory."

JCP&L employees, including members of its environmentally-focused Green Team, joined dozens of volunteers from FirstEnergy's Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) in the cleanup activities. The company's EBRGs help support diversity and inclusion initiatives and business objectives through networking, mentoring, coaching, recruiting, development and community outreach.

Because of its continued focus on environmental awareness and sustainable practices and policies, JCP&L is a member of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry. The company is the only electric utility on the list of more than 150 New Jersey companies and organizations recognized for environmental leadership efforts.

Now in its 35^th year, COA Beach Sweeps is one of the longest-running beach cleanups of its kind in the world, helping to rid beaches of unsightly and harmful debris. Each year, volunteers clean beaches in New Jersey from Raritan to Delaware Bays, as well as underwater sites. Since the program's inception in 1985, more than 144,000 volunteers have participated, removing millions of pieces of debris from New Jersey's beaches and waterways.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's note: Photos of JCP&L employees and volunteers assisting with the Beach Sweeps cleanup activities can be viewed on Flickr.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), and the FirstEnergy Foundation recently donated a total of $65,000 to 13 local police chiefs associations throughout JCP&L's service territory in recognition of their key role in keeping communities safe around downed power lines and other electrical equipment. The funding will be used to help offset the cost of providing extra protection following major storm events as well as for emergency response training and the purchase of much needed equipment.

The donations benefit the local police chiefs association chapters in Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Warren counties, which include more than 230 towns within JCP&L's service territory.

"A police officer's fundamental duty is to protect and serve their community," said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. "These donations serve to highlight our appreciation to the police officers who work diligently to provide a safe environment by keeping residents far away from downed power lines and protecting our utility workers as they safely restore power following severe weather events."

The support provided by law enforcement was critical during the recent Tropical Storm Isaias, which brought high winds that caused extensive power outages across JCP&L's service territory. More than 8,000 line workers, including other FirstEnergy crews and mutual assistance from 17 states, helped restore power to JCP&L customers. The massive restoration effort was made possible in part by local police departments that helped enforce road closures and protect the community from electrical hazards resulting from downed wires, utility poles and large trees.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) will release financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 before markets open on Monday, November 2. These results will be discussed by FirstEnergy management during a conference call with financial analysts at 1 p.m. EST that day. A question-and-answer session will follow.   

Investors, customers and other interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call and view presentation slides via FirstEnergy's Investor Information website, www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. The webcast and presentation will be available for replay on the site for up to one year. 

The company plans to post its third quarter presentation and supporting materials to the investor section of the website before markets open on November 2. 

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), recently completed enhancements to its local electric lines in south Morgantown, W. Va., that are designed to help reduce the number of customers impacted by outages by more than 400. The company also is starting work on a similar project that aims to enhance operational flexibility and reliable service for 900 customers in the Fairmont area.

Over the past two months, Mon Power has been working south of the interchange between Interstates 68 and 79 in Morgantown to add a new power line connecting approximately 440 residential customers in the Goshen Road area to an alternate circuit. The project, which included the replacement of more than 40 utility poles, provides a backup power feed that will help keep the lights on for customers if wires or equipment on their regular line are damaged or need to be taken out of service.

"Through projects such as these, we improve the operational flexibility of our system and help reduce the duration and frequency of service interruptions our customers might experience," said Jim Myers, president of West Virginia operations for FirstEnergy.

In Fairmont, Mon Power is starting work on a similar project that will connect approximately 900 residential customers in southeastern Marion County to an alternate line that serves the central and eastern portions of the county. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the year and will allow Mon Power to provide power to those customers during certain outages until repairs are completed on their circuit. The project will benefit customers in Colfax, Hammond, Levels, Grassy Run, Quiet Dell, Bunners Ridge, Morgan Ridge and Little Creek.

The Morgantown and Fairmont projects each cost approximately $250,000 and are part of Mon Power's ongoing commitment to enhance service to its customers while also preparing its system for future economic growth.

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

WARREN TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly energized substation played an important role in providing and restoring power to Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) customers in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. The Martinsville Substation, which went into service in June, significantly decreased the number of customers affected by a tree-related power outage as the storm impacted New Jersey.

Located in Warren Township, the Martinsville Substation increases the operational flexibility of the electric system by creating multiple paths to provide power to surrounding substations. As a result, power remained available throughout the storm to local substations serving more than 1,000 customers in Warren Township and nearly 5,000 customers in Bernards Township, Bridgewater Township and Bedminster. Without the new substation, a similar outage could have resulted in a lengthy service interruption to up to 9,200 customers in the area.

The substation also allowed JCP&L to work more quickly and effectively in restoring power to customers by enabling crews to begin repairs on other infrastructure.

"JCP&L remains committed to service reliability, and we continue to proactively plan infrastructure investments to enhance the strength of the electric system," said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. "The Martinsville Substation is an example of how infrastructure investments can continue to reduce the number of customers impacted by storm outages as well as shorten the length of outages when they do occur." 

Part of FirstEnergy's Energizing the Future transmission investment initiative, construction on the Martinsville Substation began in October 2019. The substation is part of the JCP&L transmission infrastructure that routes power to six area substations in Morris and Somerset counties, serving customers throughout northern New Jersey.

JCP&L, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE), serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com. 

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp. 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has been named by Site Selection magazine as a "Top 20" utility in 2020 for expertise in promoting economic development. Over the past five years, FirstEnergy has helped attract over 30,000 new jobs and $17.5 billion in third-party capital investment in its six-state service area.

The Site Selection award winners were chosen from a field of more than 3,300 electric utilities and cooperatives across the country. The recipient utilities were recognized for complementing reliable power delivery to their customers with a hands-on approach to encouraging business development in their operational areas.

"We take great pride in being recognized by Site Selection magazine for our results-oriented approach to promoting job creation and third-party capital investment in our footprint," said Patrick Kelly, director, Economic Development, FirstEnergy. "Because our utilities have relationships with so many different businesses, we have the unique ability to build partnerships among state and local organizations, businesses and governments and effectively use innovative ideas to help promote the areas where we provide electric service."

FirstEnergy's economic development team regularly provides the following services for companies looking to locate or expand in its footprint:

• Location analysis and community research
• Site tours
• Permitting and regulations expertise
• Information on available sites and buildings
• Demographic, workforce and business establishments data
• Introductions to local, regional and state officials
• Information about local and state economic development incentives

Kelly says the best economic development assistance his team can provide is being an active liaison with FirstEnergy's ten utilities, especially when it comes to ensuring the local grid can handle the added electrical usage any new projects produce. Quite often, new infrastructure such as a substation or power line needs to be built to ensure safe and reliable service to the new or expanded facility.

Along with expertise in business development relationships and programs, the company is investing in transmission system enhancements and grid modernization to provide world-class infrastructure capable of powering energy-intensive industries now and in the future.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To help kick start a successful school year, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is donating school supplies to nearly 11,400 Akron Public School students in kindergarten through sixth grades. Backpacks pre-packed with school supply items will be available to all students who attend the district's 41 elementary schools during a drive-through event at North and Kenmore-Garfield High schools on Sunday, October 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Assembled by FirstEnergy volunteers, the cinch-style backpacks contain items approved by the school district to help students successfully continue their school year from home. The supplies, several of which were purchased from diverse suppliers to support minority-owned businesses, include notebook paper, folders, glue, pencils, sharpener, hand sanitizer and a dry erase board, marker and eraser.

FirstEnergy's donation fills a gap created when the coronavirus health emergency caused the cancellation of the area's annual "Stuff the Bus" program presented by the United Way of Summit and Medina. Working with Akron Public Schools, FirstEnergy employees gathered and packaged the items and arranged for a safe, limited-contact distribution.

"I'm proud of our FirstEnergy employees who identified a need to support our youth during a time that has brought unprecedented challenges to many families in our area," said Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement. "We hope this makes things just a bit easier for Akron families as their children continue the school year."

More than 5,000 cars are expected to pass through the pick-up points at North and Kenmore-Garfield High Schools on Sunday, and the METRO bus service will provide free travel to and from the event between the hours of noon and 5 p.m. for those families without vehicles. In addition, Akron Public Schools have arranged to provide backpacks to students who are without permanent homes.

"From our corporate partners and volunteers to the local businesses and public transit system supporting this event, it's heartwarming to see the community come together to ensure our students receive the tools they need for a quality learning experience," said David James, superintendent of Akron Public Schools. "This school year may not look like the typical year yet, but we're committed to making the virtual learning environment as educational and rewarding as any other."             

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has been recognized by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) as a top employer in the nation for its hiring and employment practices for people with disabilities. 

FirstEnergy is among 68 organizations to receive the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal in 2020. Now in its sixth year, the seal is awarded based on data provided by companies who complete NOD's Disability Employment Tracker™, an assessment that benchmarks companies' disability inclusion programs in areas like Climate & Culture, People Practices, Talent Sourcing, Workplace & Technology and Strategy & Metrics. Organizations that complete the tracker may elect to be considered for the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal.

"We are proud to be named a Leading Disability Employer again this year in recognition of our efforts to create an inclusive work environment where all employees feel respected and that their input is valued," said Christine L. Walker, FirstEnergy's senior vice president and chief human resources officer. "We'll continue to find ways to enhance our recruiting, hiring and talent development processes, and the NOD Disability Employment Tracker is key to measuring our progress."

FirstEnergy's THRIVE employee business resource group (EBRG), which serves as a resource to employees with disabilities and major illnesses, has played a significant role in fostering an inclusive environment by increasing awareness about disabilities across the company. Specifically, the group has held "Day in the Life" events where employees could participate in simulations to experience first-hand what it's like to have a hearing impairment, physical challenge and other disabilities. The group continues to host virtual lunch and learns to promote open discussion among employees and provides feedback to leadership on how the company can further advance disability inclusion.

"America's success in the world depends on how well we inspire and put to use the talents and energies of every person in this country," said NOD Chairman Governor Tom Ridge.  "These 68 organizations certainly have stepped up and are doing just that, and we applaud their leadership and thank them for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities."

The NOD Leading Disability Employer designation is among the recognition FirstEnergy has received for its workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives this year. Most recently, FirstEnergy was named to DiversityInc's Top Utilities and Top Companies for Board of Directors lists. FirstEnergy was also named to Forbes magazine's Best Employers for Diversity 2020 list, as well as to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the second consecutive year.

The National Organization on Disability is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities for the 80 percent of working aged Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of employment solutions, tailored to meet leading companies' workforce needs. To learn more about NOD and view the list of Leading Disability Employers, visit www.NOD.org.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.

Editor's Note: Photos of employees participating in THRIVE's 2019 Day in the Life event are available on Flickr. A video of the event is available on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has been honored with the 2020 Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey's (CIANJ) Companies that Care award for a donation made in conjunction with FirstEnergy Foundation to Lake Riviera Middle School in Brick Township. The funds allowed the school to purchase a greenhouse that is being used to grow food for the school's culinary arts program as well as for donation to local food banks.

CIANJ's Companies That Care award salutes the generosity of New Jersey businesses who demonstrate meaningful philanthropy that is impacting the communities they serve. The award was presented by CIANJ and COMMERCE Magazine at their annual Best Practices Conference held virtually on September 30.

"JCP&L continues to be a strong supporter of the local communities we serve, and we are humbled to be recognized for these efforts," said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. "We applaud the students and staff at Lake Riviera Middle School for their focus on environmental education while helping to put food on the tables of local families who need it the most."

Construction of the greenhouse is part of the school's Green Team energy conservation project, which helps students connect to science, math, social studies and language arts as well as the practical, performing and visual arts through hands-on learning for all levels of learners.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to purchase Ohio-compliant Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for its Ohio utilities – Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison. The purchases will help meet the companies' 2020 renewable energy targets established under Ohio's alternative energy law.

RECs sought in this RFP must be eligible for compliance with the companies' 2020 renewable energy obligations in accordance with rules and procedures put forth by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), be deliverable through PJM Environmental Information System Generation Attribute Tracking System (EIS GATS), and generated between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. The companies plan to purchase 373,000 RECs, which can include solar renewable energy credits.

One REC represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour of generation from a PUCO-qualified renewable generating facility. The cost of the RECs is recovered from utility customers through a monthly charge filed quarterly with the PUCO.

No energy or capacity will be purchased under the RFP. The number of individual bidders is not limited. Participants in the RFP must meet and maintain specific credit and security qualifications and must be able to prove their REC generating facilities are certified or in the process of becoming certified by the PUCO. 

The RFP is a competitive process managed by Guidehouse Inc. (Guidehouse), an independent evaluator and a global consulting firm with expertise in energy markets, renewables and competitive procurements. Based on the RFP results, the Ohio utilities will enter into agreement(s) with winning suppliers to purchase the necessary quantities of RECs.

FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities have a website, http://www.FEOhioRECRFP.com, to provide bidders with a central source of documents, data and other information for the RFP process.

On October 8, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. EPT, the FirstEnergy Ohio utilities and their consultant, Guidehouse, will conduct a webinar to outline the RFP process and the terms of the agreement, as well as to provide a forum to submit any questions. Questions also may be submitted during the RFP process directly through the RFP website.

To participate in the RFP, potential bidders are encouraged to submit credit applications by November 2, 2020, and proposals are due November 10, 2020 by 5 p.m. EPT.

The RFP Manager is Dan Bradley, Partner at Guidehouse. He can be reached via e-mail at manager@FEOhioRECRFP.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), recently submitted filings with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia that are expected to lower electric rates by $50 million in 2021.

Under a cost recovery process established by the PSC in 2007, Mon Power and Potomac Edison customer bills are adjusted annually to reflect increases or decreases in the cost of fuel used to generate electricity and purchased power. This year's filing reflects a $55 million reduction in these costs, a savings passed to customers.

If approved by the PSC, the monthly bill for the companies' typical West Virginia residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity would decrease by 3 percent or $3.24/month, dropping an average bill to $103.62 from the current $106.86.

With the decrease, rates for Mon Power and Potomac Edison's West Virginia residential customers will be about 22 percent below the national average.

The 2021 residential customer bills also would reflect the impact of a second filing seeking to recover about $5 million in costs associated with modernizing the boilers at the companies' Fort Martin and Harrison coal-fired power plants in West Virginia to help ensure continued environmental compliance. The work includes updating existing emissions control equipment, enhancing particulate control systems, and replacing flue-gas removal ductwork and expansion joints.

"These filings continue a trend that has resulted in the rates for our West Virginia utilities being reduced by about $120 million since 2018," said Jim Myers, president of FirstEnergy's West Virginia operations. "With electrical use increasing more from time being spent at home during the coronavirus health emergency, any opportunity to save on electric bills is helpful for our customers. We are committed to providing safe and reliable electricity at an affordable cost."

If approved by the PSC, the new rates would begin Jan. 1, 2021, and remain in place until Dec. 31, 2021.

To help customers manage their bills, Mon Power and Potomac Edison offer budget plans, special payment plans, and access to energy assistance programs. For home energy efficiency tips, customers can go to www.firstenergycorp.com or call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-255-3443 to request information.   

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in the northern half of West Virginia and Potomac Edison serves about 140,000 customers in the state's Eastern Panhandle.  Follow the companies on Twitter @MonPowerWV and @PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) between February 21, 2017 and July 21, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 28, 2020 lead plaintiff deadline in the case. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for FirstEnergy investors under the federal securities laws.

To join the FirstEnergy class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1903.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) FirstEnergy and its representatives and affiliates had orchestrated a $60 million campaign to corrupt the political process in order to secure the passage of legislation favoring the Company and its affiliates; (2) FirstEnergy and its representatives and affiliates had secretly funneled tens of millions of dollars to Ohio politicians to bribe those politicians in order to secure votes in favor of Ohio House Bill 6 ("HB 6"), a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout for FirstEnergy's unprofitable nuclear facilities; (3) FirstEnergy and its representatives and affiliates had conducted a massive, misleading advertising campaign in support of HB6 and in opposition to a ballot initiative to repeal HB6 by passing millions of dollars through an intricate web of 'dark money' entities and front companies in order to conceal the Company's involvement; (4) FirstEnergy and its representatives and affiliates had subverted a citizens' ballot initiative to repeal HB6 by, among other unscrupulous tactics, hiring more than 15 signature gathering firms (and thus conflicting them out of supporting the initiative) and bribing ballot initiative insiders and signature collectors; (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' Class Period statements regarding FirstEnergy's regulatory and legislative efforts were materially false and misleading; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, FirstEnergy was subject to an extreme, undisclosed risk of reputational, legal and financial harm. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 28, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to join the litigation, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1903.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim, Esq. of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com.

NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. AN INVESTOR'S ABILITY TO SHARE IN ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE RECOVERY IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON SERVING AS LEAD PLAINTIFF.

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Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm's attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has earned recognition from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) for excellence in providing superior service to multisite National Account customers, such as big-box retailers and major restaurant chains.

The award, announced September 9, is based on votes cast by large national customers representing a wide variety of industries, including national brands such as Costco, The Home Depot, Marriott Hotels, Microsoft, Staples, Target, TJX Companies, and Walmart.

"We offer our national account customers a 'one-stop shop' for quick and efficient support with energy efficiency education, power quality inquiries, billing or metering questions," said Samuel Belcher, senior vice president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy Utilities.  "This represents the fifth time FirstEnergy has been honored by EEI for the service we provide our key national accounts, and it is rewarding to know our strong efforts continue to be recognized by customers and the utility industry alike."

FirstEnergy serves more than 200 national brands including retailers, restaurants and other industries, representing tens of thousands of electric meters in the company's six-state footprint. 

The awards for Outstanding National Key Account Customer Service were established by EEI's Customer Advisory Group, composed of national chain customers who provide feedback, guidance and support to EEI's National Key Accounts program. The customer-oriented program allows multisite customers and electric company account representatives to develop efficient energy management strategies that can be integrated into facilities nationwide.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies.  Members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced today that 100% of new fleet purchases of aerial and light duty trucks will be electric or hybrid vehicles beginning in 2021. Transitioning its vehicle fleet to these cleaner-powered options is part of FirstEnergy's larger efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions companywide and support transportation electrification efforts in its six-state service area.

Through this commitment to steadily replace fossil fuel-based vehicles, including utility bucket trucks, small pickups, SUVs and other support vehicles, FirstEnergy expects to electrify 30% of its approximately 3,400 light duty and aerial fleet vehicles by 2030, representing 1,034 vehicles, with the goal of reaching 100% electrification by 2050. The 30% fleet replacement target has the potential to annually eliminate approximately 10,000 metric tons of GHG emissions while saving more than 3.8 million gallons of fuel from 2021-2030.

"This is an important step in our larger, company-wide responsible replacement program that allows us to replace vehicles in need of replacing with electric models that can be added to our utility fleet without affecting the service we provide our customers," said Steven E. Strah, president, FirstEnergy. "A team of employees tested versions of the hybrid vehicles in the field and determined we could get comparable operational benefits while substantially reducing emissions. We believe our efforts to lead by example in this area will help spur customer adoption of electric vehicles in the coming years."

Because fully electric aerial trucks are still under development, some of the new hybrid vehicles will feature plug-in idle mitigation units powered by battery packs for the lift or bucket, along with operating the truck's heating and air conditioning systems. These hybrid aerial trucks significantly reduce the amount of time the diesel engine operates, which also reduces air and noise pollution. Truck manufacturers estimate that utility vehicles idle in park for about 65% of their total engine hours, and an hour of engine idle is equivalent to using one gallon of fuel.

FirstEnergy's vehicle replacement process is based on the number of miles and the age of the current vehicles. Starting in 2021, hybrid light duty vehicles, such as pickup trucks, vans and SUVs, will be delivered to all FirstEnergy utilities, including Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison in Ohio; Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power in Pennsylvania; Mon Power in West Virginia; Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland; and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) in New Jersey. The plan is to increase all-electric light duty purchases as the charging infrastructure develops. Orders for the hybrid aerial trucks also have been placed and are expected to arrive next summer in the majority of FirstEnergy utility areas.

Part of FirstEnergy's vehicle replacement process includes a previously announced purchase agreement with Lordstown Motors, a start-up electric vehicle manufacturer in northeast Ohio, for 250 new all-electric pickup trucks.

In addition to taking steps to electrify the company's fleet, one of FirstEnergy's utilities, Potomac Edison, has implemented a pilot program in Maryland to promote electric vehicle usage and adoption by its customers. Earlier this year, the EV Driven program was launched and features the installation of publicly available electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, rebates for both residential and multifamily charger installations, and incentives for EV charging during off-peak hours. The program was approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

Forward-Looking Statements:  This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: The extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing government investigation regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has launched its new "Stop. Look. Live." safety campaign to educate the public about staying safe around electricity and near FirstEnergy's power lines and equipment.

The campaign encourages everyone to follow three simple steps to avoid dangerous accidental contact with electrical equipment:

• STOP what you're doing to consider your personal safety before working or playing around power lines or electrical equipment.
• LOOK around for potential hazards and ways you might come into contact with electrical equipment and identify a way to avoid the hazard.
• LIVE and prevent serious injury or death by taking precautions to avoid accidental contact with electrical equipment. There is nothing more important than your safety.

The campaign kicks off this week and will feature engaging and memorable initiatives to help protect targeted groups that are most at-risk of encountering safety hazards, including first-responder organizations and contractors. In addition, the campaign will feature an educational program for school children between kindergarten and 6^th grade.

"At FirstEnergy, safety is a core value, and our public safety campaign is a reflection of this daily focus, extending beyond our employees and into our communities," said Laura Redenshek, director, Safety and Human Performance. "Sharing information about electrical safety is part of our broader personal commitment to working safely, following all safe work practices and recognizing that we have the power to keep each other safe."

The company-wide educational and outreach initiatives include:

• Radio spots, billboards, digital banner ads and paid social media support across FirstEnergy's six-state footprint.
• Robust direct mail, email and web-based educational resource programs that target first responders and our most at-risk contractors, including heavy equipment operators, excavators, tree trimmers and a variety of other contractors who often work near or around energized electrical equipment.
• A Stop. Look. Live. leave-behind brochure highlighting key public safety messages.

Programs launching in the future will include "Live Wire Safety Trailer" demonstrations to help educate first responders about the potential dangers of energized electrical equipment. The large trailers will feature power lines, transformers and other electric equipment as well as metal conductors, such as ladders and car doors. Demonstrations will include energizing conductors to show how electricity can travel through everyday objects.

In addition, FirstEnergy employee volunteers will visit grade schools throughout the company's service territory to present "Live Wire Safety School" which includes a safety video featuring Max Safety, FirstEnergy's fictional employee spokesperson whose mission is to minimize danger and maximize safety.

For more information about FirstEnergy's public safety campaign, including safety tips, the Max Safety school educational video and updates on upcoming educational programs, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety. 

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities have sent 190 line workers and support personnel to Mobile, Alabama, to assist Alabama Power with restoration efforts following Hurricane Sally. Crews began leaving for Alabama Thursday, with all expected to begin work Saturday morning.

Hurricane Sally made landfall Wednesday on the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds of 100 mph. Heavy rain also has produced flooding in many areas, with many roads and bridges closed or impassable.

This support effort continues FirstEnergy's long-standing tradition of assisting other electric companies during large-scale power outages. FirstEnergy crews recently returned home after providing power restoration assistance to utilities in Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Laura in late August.

Nine of FirstEnergy's utilities are part of the Alabama mutual assistance effort, which includes crews from Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison in Ohio; Penelec, West Penn Power, Penn Power and Met-Ed in Pennsylvania; Mon Power in West Virginia; Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland; and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) in New Jersey. Support personnel from FirstEnergy's corporate offices also are included in the company's contingent.

"FirstEnergy employees are committed to assisting with restoration efforts in Alabama as a way of returning the favor to Alabama utility crews that provided assistance in August when we needed help in New Jersey after Tropical Storm Isaias," said John Skory, vice president of utility operations for FirstEnergy. "While it's not expected that the remnants of Hurricane Sally will impact any FirstEnergy service territories, we have carefully assessed conditions and are confident we have the personnel in place to maintain reliable operations for our customers."

FirstEnergy is a member of multiple electric utility mutual-assistance groups that work cooperatively to restore service to customers when a natural disaster causes large-scale power outages. Mutual assistance allows utilities to pool their resources to help restore power to customers faster. In August, more than 8,000 utility personnel from 17 states, including crews from Alabama Power, helped restore power to approximately 788,000 JCP&L customers following Tropical Storm Isaias. In the past, FirstEnergy and its employees have been honored by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with its "Emergency Assistance Award" for the mutual assistance the company has provided during winter and summer storms.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today declared an unchanged quarterly dividend of 39 cents per share of outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable December 1, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 6, 2020.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: The extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing government investigation regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Sept. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), plans to install thousands of new fuses on its distribution lines during the next five years to reduce the number of customers affected by service interruptions caused by severe weather, tree contacts, equipment issues and other causes.

The work is part of West Penn Power's Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), a $147 million initiative to accelerate capital investments through 2024 to help ensure continued electric service reliability for the company's 725,000 customers. Approximately $21 million of the initiative is expected to be spent on the fuse work.

In 2020, West Penn Power line workers and contractors expect to install between 6,000 and 7,500 new fuses on distribution poles and wires throughout its service area. Fuses are protective devices made of polymer that automatically open when a system irregularity is detected, protecting electrical equipment while limiting the scope of an outage to a smaller section of the distribution line. Use of fuses means fewer customers are impacted by outages caused by trees, vehicle accidents or equipment issues.  

"Our eventual goal is to install enough new fuses to separate distribution lines into smaller blocks of 30 to 35 customers," said John Rea, West Penn Power regional president. "Some longer circuits may be equipped with several hundred fuses, limiting the number of customers affected by an outage."

It typically takes a two-person crew about an hour to install a new fuse. Using personal protective equipment and rubber goods to cover energized facilities, crews can often safely accomplish the work without having to schedule a planned outage that interrupts service to customers.

In 2020, fuse installations will occur in numerous locations across West Penn Power's service area, including work on:

• 23 circuits in Allegheny County
• 10 circuits in Armstrong County
• 21 circuits in Butler County
• 29 circuits in Centre County
• 16 circuits in Elk County
• 30 circuits in Fayette County
• 22 circuits in Franklin County
• 11 circuits in Greene County
• 30 circuits in Washington County
• 64 circuits in Westmoreland County

The LTIIP II fuse installation projects are a continuation of similar work completed during the company's initial 2016-2020 LTIIP.  As a result of fuse installation projects implemented during that time, the average number of West Penn Power customers impacted per power outage decreased by more than 10 percent.

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers within 10,400 square miles of central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of West Penn Power crews installing the fuses are available for download on Flickr

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), recently donated more than 83,000 pounds of food items to 10 food banks and religious organizations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania following Tropical Storm Isaias. The items had been purchased to feed thousands of utility workers who assisted in restoring service to approximately 800,000 customers after the storm severely impacted the region.

JCP&L's donation was supplemented by an additional FirstEnergy Foundation contribution of $50,000 to benefit food banks in the region.

Delivery of fresh vegetables, beverages, dairy products, meats and frozen goods from JCP&L staging site locations to organizations in Monmouth, Ocean, Union, Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey and North Hampton County in Pennsylvania was completed on August 17. The donation of approximately $71,000 worth of food can provide approximately 100,000 meals for families in need. Combined with the FirstEnergy Foundation donation, area food banks received more than $120,000 in local community support from the company following Tropical Storm Isaias recovery efforts.

"Our storm restoration efforts require a massive operation behind the scenes to support workers who come to New Jersey to help restore service to our customers," said Jim Fakult, President, JCP&L. "We are pleased to be able to use the surplus resources from our staging sites and the donation from the FirstEnergy Foundation to help local families put food on their tables during these difficult times."

The following organizations received food items donated by JCP&L:

• Lunch Break Food Pantry Soup Kitchen (Monmouth County)
• Triumphant Life Church (Monmouth County)
• Good Hope Baptist Church (Monmouth County)
• HIS Praise Ministries (Ocean County)
• Fulfill Food Bank (Monmouth and Ocean counties)
• Community Food Bank of New Jersey (Union County)
• Interfaith Food Pantry (Morris County)
• NORWESCAP Food Bank (Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties)
• Children's Home of Easton (North Hampton County, Pennsylvania)
• Second Harvest Food Bank (North Hampton County, Pennsylvania)

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's note: Photos of JCP&L employees helping deliver food contributions can be viewed on Flickr.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its long-standing tradition of assisting other electric companies during large-scale power outages, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities have sent more than 525 line workers, forestry crews and support personnel to Beaumont, Texas, to help Entergy with restoration efforts following Hurricane Laura. Crews began leaving for Texas Wednesday morning, with all expected to arrive by early Friday.

Current forecasts call for Hurricane Laura to make landfall in Texas and Louisiana this evening. The category 4 hurricane is expected to bring extreme winds, storm surge and flash flooding along the northwest Gulf Coast. Personnel will be deployed to the most damaged areas when it's safe to do so after the storm moves through.

Eight of FirstEnergy's utilities are part of the mutual assistance effort, which includes crews from The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison in Ohio; Penelec, West Penn Power and Met-Ed in Pennsylvania; Mon Power in West Virginia; Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland; and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) in New Jersey. Support personnel from FirstEnergy's corporate offices also are included in the company's contingent.

"FirstEnergy employees are committed to assisting what is likely to be a massive power restoration effort in Texas," said John Skory, vice president of utility operations for FirstEnergy. "While it's not expected that Hurricane Laura will impact any FirstEnergy service territories, we have carefully assessed conditions and are confident we have the personnel in place to maintain reliable operations for our customers."

FirstEnergy is a member of multiple electric utility mutual-assistance groups that work cooperatively to restore service to customers when a natural disaster causes large-scale power outages. Mutual assistance allows utilities to pool their resources to help restore power to customers faster. Earlier this month, more than 8,000 utility personnel from 17 states, including crews from Entergy, helped restore power to approximately 788,000 JCP&L customers following Tropical Storm Isaias. In the past, FirstEnergy and its employees have been honored by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with its "Emergency Assistance Award" for the mutual assistance the company has provided during winter and summer storms.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation has granted $27,000 to the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to benefit a conservation project at Chagrin River Landing in Eastlake, Ohio. Upon completion, the 10-acre property and former marina located on Lake Shore Boulevard will be used as a public access park for handicap accessible fishing, canoeing and kayaking to the Chagrin River and Lake Erie.

The Foundation's grant is the last piece in a campaign to raise funds which will help the Land Conservancy meet the project's total goal of $386,000. Work on the project is expected to begin this fall.

"FirstEnergy Foundation is proud to support the Land Conservancy's effort to restore this area into a beautiful and functional space for the community," said Lorna Wisham, President, FirstEnergy Foundation. "In addition to providing new recreational opportunities for area residents and visitors, the park aligns with the electric industry's goal of creating habitats that promote pollinators and support the environment."

As part of the project, the City of Eastlake will demolish the existing house on-site, remove more than 20 vacant boats from the property and work with conservation partners, including the Land Conservancy and Chagrin River Watershed Partners, to restore the boat yard back to natural floodplain habitat. The city will also work with conservation partners to clean up the property, plant trees, establish a habitat for pollinators through native plantings and remove invasive species.

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

FirstEnergy Corp. is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

ERIE, Pa., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), plans to install about 2,000 automated "TripSaver" reclosing devices on power lines across its service area over the next five years to help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions. The electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home with the added benefit of automatically re-energizing a power line within seconds to keep power safely flowing to customers.

The company is on track to install about 400 TripSavers in 2020 at a cost of about $3.5 million. A two-man crew can install four or five TripSavers per day.

The work is part of Penelec's Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), a $200 million initiative to accelerate capital investments through 2024 to help ensure continued electric service reliability for the company's 585,000 customers.

Utility crews install TripSavers on local neighborhood distribution lines that branch from the main power line serving an area. When there is a temporary problem with the line, such as a tree limb contacting the line, the TripSaver can sense when the branch is gone and automatically re-energize the line to prevent an extended outage in the neighborhood – all in a matter of seconds.

 If the TripSaver senses a more serious issue, such as a fallen tree on the power line, it will isolate the outage to that area and limit the total number of affected customers. The device's smart technology quickly pinpoints the location of the electrical fault and helps utility personnel better understand the cause of the outage to help speed restoration.

"TripSavers allow us to automatically restore service to customers rather than roll a truck and crew to investigate the issue, which is especially useful in remote areas of our expansive service territory," said Nick Austin, regional president of Penelec. "These devices allow for safer and more efficient service restoration for both our employees and our customers."

Reliability engineers review outage information to identify the best locations for TripSavers, typically outage-prone distribution lines with large customer counts. The new devices will also replace some older equipment in the field used to isolate damage and limit the number of impacted customers. 

Penelec crews and contractors are scheduled to install TripSavers in these areas in 2020:
Albion, Altoona, Bedford, Bradford, Clearfield, Corry, Dubois, Ebensburg, Erie, Huntingdon, Indiana, Johnstown, Lewistown, Mansfield, Meadville, Montrose, Oil City, Phillipsburg, Sayre, Shippensburg, Towanda and Warren.

Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.   

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of crews installing the TripSaver devices are available for download on Flickr, and a video of utility personnel explaining and installing a TripSaver device can be found on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FirstEnergy Corporation ("FirstEnergy" or the "Company") (NYSE: FE) and certain of its officers.   The class action, filed in United States District Court for the S, and indexed under 20-cv-06896, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired FirstEnergy securities between February 21, 2017, and July 21, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period").  Plaintiff seeks to pursue remedies against FirstEnergy and certain of the Company's current and former most senior executives under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule l0b-5 promulgated thereunder.

If you are a shareholder who purchased FirstEnergy securities during the class period, you have until September 25, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class.  A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.   To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Defendant FirstEnergy is headquartered in Akron, Ohio.  The Company is an electric utility company with subsidiaries and affiliates involved in the distribution, transmission, and generation of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services.  FirstEnergy's ten electric utility operating companies comprise one of the U.S.'s largest investor-owned utilities, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.  The Company also owned and operated two nuclear power plants in Ohio—the Perry Nuclear Generating Station and the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational, and compliance policies.  Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: defendants touted FirstEnergy's legislative "solutions" to problems with its nuclear facilities, but failed to disclose that these "solutions" centered on an illicit campaign to corrupt high-profile state legislators to secure legislation favoring the Company.  Over a nearly three-year period, FirstEnergy and its affiliates funneled more than $60 million to prominent state politicians and lobbyists, including Ohio Speaker Larry Householder ("Householder"), to secure the passage of Ohio House Bill 6 ("HB6"), which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout to keep the Company's failing nuclear facilities in operation.  In addition, defendants falsely represented that they were complying with state and federal laws and regulations regarding regulatory matters throughout the Class Period, exposing the Company and its investors to undisclosed risks of reputational, legal, and financial harm.

The truth began to be revealed on July 21, 2020.  That day, federal agents announced the arrest of Householder and four other persons, including a prominent FirstEnergy lobbyist, in connection with a $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme.  The 82-page criminal complaint and affidavit detailed a pay-to-play scheme in which FirstEnergy corrupted the legislative process to ensure the passage of HB6.  Prosecutors described the case as involving the "largest bribery, money-laundering scheme" in Ohio history.

On this news, FirstEnergy's stock price fell, trading as low as $22.85 per share on July 22, 2020, down nearly 45% from its closing price of $41.26 per share on July 20, 2020, damaging FirstEnergy shareholders. 

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of FirstEnergy Corp's (NYSE: FE) Potomac Edison electric utility who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shutoffs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before to help address overdue balances."

Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may help customers avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.

Potomac Edison customers in Maryland may be eligible for one or more of the following assistance programs:

• Community Energy Fund is a needs-based program that helps qualifying residential customers who need emergency help paying their electric bill. The company's shareholders match donations from customers 50 cents on each dollar to fund this program. The distribution of funds is administered by local administering agencies in Potomac Edison's service territory, including:
• Allegany County Department of Social Services at 301-784-7000
• Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs (Frederick area) at
  301-631-2670
• Human Services Program of Carroll County, Inc., at 410-857-2999
• Garrett Co. Community Action Committee, Inc., at 301-334-9431
• Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Home Energy Programs that helps low-income electric customers pay their electric bills. To apply for benefits customers should call the Maryland Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347 or go to the Department of Human Services Application Process.
• Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)/Arrearage Retirement Assistance Program are state-funded programs administered by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Home Energy Programs that offer low-income electric customers financial assistance with their electric bills. Eligible customers who receive EUSP are placed on the budget billing plan. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance Program helps customers with large, past-due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 towards their past due bill. Customers may only receive an arrearage grant once every seven years, with certain exceptions. To apply for benefits and services customers should call the Maryland Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347 or go to Department of Human Services Application Process
• Utility Service Protection Program is a federally sponsored program administered by the Department of Human Services and the Office of Home Energy Programs. This program is designed to protect eligible low-income families from utility disconnections. To apply for benefits and services, customers should call the Maryland Department of Human Services at 800-332-6347 or go to Department of Human Services Application Process
• Average Payment Plan/Payment Arrangements divides a customer's annual electric bill into 12 monthly payments that helps level out bill payments and gives customers more control of their monthly household budget. Potomac Edison also can establish customer-specific payment arrangements that allows paying the account balance over an extended period of time. To apply or learn more about these company programs visit www.firstenergycorp.com or call 800-686-0011.
• 211 is a nationwide resource and information helpline that identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, visit www.211.org or text your ZIP code to 898211. 

For additional program information, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

Potomac Edison also has established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team. Potomac Edison's customer service team can be reached at 1-800-736-3401.

Potomac Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary, serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of FirstEnergy Corp's (NYSE: FE) Ohio electric utilities who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shutoffs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before, but some of those programs might not be available later, when overdue balances must be addressed."

Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may include forgiveness of all or part of a customer's overdue balance, helping them to avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.

Customers of FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities, Ohio Edison (OE), The Illuminating Company (CEI) and Toledo Edison (TE), may be eligible for one or more of the following programs:

• Percentage of Income Payment Plan: This program allows customers to pay a percentage of their income instead of their actual bill amount. To apply, contact Ohio Development Service Agency at 800-282-0880 or visit the Ohio Development Service Agency's Website.
• Ohio Fuel Fund: Provides grants of up to $300 to assist qualified customers with electric bills. This program is only available to CEI customers. To schedule an appointment call 216-350-8008.
• Home Energy Assistance Program: Provides cash grants for home heating and cooling emergencies to qualified customers. Summer crisis assistance is available through September 30. To apply, contact the Ohio Development Service Agency at 800-282-0880 or visit the Ohio Development Service Agency's Website.
• Emergency Hardship Funds: Helps customers who have experienced a financial hardship either to pay an overdue bill or to reconnect service. To apply: CEI customers can call 216-861-8185; TE customers can call 419-241-3549; and OE customers can visit the REACH Agencies list.
• 211: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, visit www.211oh.org or text your ZIP code to 898211.

For additional program information, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities also have established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team. Ohio utility customer service numbers are:

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

The Illuminating Company serves 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Connect with The Illuminating Company at www.illuminatingcompany.com, on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison, and online at www.toledoedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shut-offs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before."

Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may include forgiveness of all or part of a customer's overdue balance, helping them to avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.

Customers of JCP&L may be eligible for one or more of the following programs:

• Universal Service Fund Programs (USF): USF helps make energy bills more affordable by offering eligible customers a monthly bill credit. This credit is based on household income and energy burden. USF may also offer utility account debt forgiveness for first-time applicants. USF is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. To apply call 2-1-1 or visit the DCAid screening tool.
  
  
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/HEAP): The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income-eligible residents with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program. To apply call 2-1-1 or visit the DCAid screening tool.
  
  
• Lifeline: Lifeline provides funding for utility bills (electric and natural gas) for qualifying disabled persons and senior citizens. Applications must be made annually to receive the benefit. The Lifeline benefit applies only to the customer's primary residence and must be in the customer's or the customer's spouse's name. To apply call 609-588-7182 or visit the Lifeline Website.
  
  
• Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric (PAGE): PAGE helps low- to moderate-income customers in New Jersey who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. The PAGE energy assistance program benefits homeowners and renters who have not received help from the Universal Service Fund in the past 6 months or from the Home Energy Assistance Program within the last heating season. The household must also have a documented notice of overdue payment for gas and/or electric service and have a past history of making regular payments toward their utility bills. To apply call 732-982-8710 or visit NJPowerOn Website.
  
  
• Comfort Partners Programs: The Comfort Partners Program is a free energy savings and education program for income eligible customers. The program helps customers save energy and money by reducing their electric bills by installing energy conservation measures in the home and by educating family members on their energy and conservation choices. Participation is prioritized based on the customer's energy consumption. There are household income requirements and other program qualifications. To apply call 800-915-8309 or visit the Comfort Partner Webpage.
  
  
• 2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the 211 Website.

Additional program information is available at firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

JCP&L also has established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team. JCP&L's customer service number is 1-800-962-0383.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of FirstEnergy Corp's (NYSE: FE) Pennsylvania electric utilities who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shutoffs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before, but some of those programs might not be available later, when overdue balances must be addressed."

Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may include forgiveness of all or part of a customer's overdue balance, helping them to avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.

Assistance programs for residential customers include:

Dollar Energy Fund: An emergency hardship fund that helps residential customers restore or maintain electric service. Eligible customers may receive up to $500 while funds are available. Program funding is provided by FirstEnergy's customers, employees and shareholders and other sources. The distribution of funds is administered by the Dollar Energy Fund. For information, call 888-282-6816 or visit www.dollarenergy.org.

The Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program (PCAP): PCAP helps residential customers maintain electric service and eliminate past-due balances. For enrollment information call 888-282-6816, or to apply online, visit dollarenergy.org/myapp.

LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through local county assistance offices. Under LIHEAP's Recovery Crisis Program, eligible customers may receive Crisis grants of up to $800 to help with past due electric bills. Applications will be accepted until August 31 or until funds are exhausted. To apply, call LIHEAP at 877-395-8930 or visit www.compass.state.pa.us.

WARM Program: Income eligible customers can reduce their electric bills by making their homes more energy efficient by receiving an in-home energy evaluation, working with a trained energy educator to create an energy-savings plan, and having the opportunity to receive energy-saving upgrades. The specific improvements that a customer is eligible to receive will be determined during the home energy evaluation. For more information, customers can call Dollar Energy Fund at 888-282-6816, or apply online at www.energysavepa.com.

211: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, visit www.211.org or text your ZIP code to 898211.

To apply or learn more about other company programs, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist or call 800-545-7741.

FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities also have established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team.

Met-Ed serves about 560,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

Penelec serves nearly 600,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.

Penn Power serves approximately 163,000 customers within 1,100 square miles of western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower.

West Penn Power serves approximately 720,000 customers within 10,400 square miles of central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential and business customers of FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Mon Power and Potomac Edison utilities who are having difficulty making ends meet are encouraged to contact their utility now to enroll in payment plans or bill assistance programs. While shutoffs for nonpayment are temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, establishing an affordable payment arrangement or obtaining assistance can help keep balances manageable during this difficult time.

"We understand many customers are in a difficult financial situation because of the pandemic," said Michelle Henry, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy. "Customers who have lost income during this crisis may be eligible for assistance that was unavailable to them before, but some of those programs might not be available later, when overdue balances must be addressed."

Customer service representatives are available to assist residential customers with manageable payment arrangements and can provide customers with information on needs-based assistance programs. These programs may help customers avoid a large bill that would otherwise be due when the temporary suspension on shutoffs ends.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia may be eligible for one or more of the following assistance programs:

• Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. Program funding is provided by FirstEnergy customers, employees, shareholders and other sources. The distribution of funds is administered by community-based organizations throughout Mon Power and Potomac Edison's West Virginia service territory. For information contact Mon Power or Potomac Edison. The online application process, along with a list of local Dollar Energy agencies, is available at the Dollar Energy Application Process.
  
  
• West Virginia Emergency Assistance Program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to help eligible customers avoid termination of electric service. Emergency Assistance is a one-time payment that is applied to the customer's account. Customers must present a disconnect notice at the county DHHR office. For information call 304-558-0684 or find a local DHHR office here Department of Health & Human Resources Agency Finder.
  
  
• West Virginia 20 Percent Discount Program is administered by the West Virginia DHHR, Office of Family Support, and can reduce a low-income customers' utility bill by 20 percent from November to March. Eligible customers can obtain applications from the DHHR and send the completed forms to: Mon Power/Potomac Edison, 20 Percent Discount Program, 5001 NASA Blvd., Fairmont, WV, 26554. Applicants can also call 304-558-0684 for additional information. 
  
  
• 211 is a nationwide resource and information helpline that identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information dial 211, visit www.wv211.org or text your ZIP code to 898211.

For additional program information, please visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

FirstEnergy's utilities also have established a customer service team dedicated to assisting business and commercial customers. This team can provide helpful information on available assistance programs and offer payment arrangements if needed. To explore these programs, please contact your utility company and ask to speak with a member of the Small Business Team. West Virginia utility customer service numbers are:

• Mon Power            1-800-736-3407
• Potomac Edison    1-800-736-3401

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV. 

Potomac Edison serves about 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities continue restoration efforts for customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Service has been restored to more than 785,200 JCP&L customers – more than 99% of the 788,000 customers impacted by the storm. All customers in both the Northern and Central Regions are expected to be restored by midnight tonight.

At this stage in the restoration effort, utility crews are addressing many localized issues and restoring individual customers. This requires crews to travel to individual locations to restore about 2,800 JCP&L customers who remain without power. This is the most time-consuming, labor intensive and complex part of service restoration.

If your neighbor's power is on and yours is not, the problem may be isolated to your individual service. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

Utility crews have replaced more than 53 miles of wire, repaired or replaced more than 550 poles and 2,500 cross arms, and worked through more than 700 closed roads to repair service. In addition, JCP&L plans to perform post-storm inspections across its 13-county service area to identify additional damage to wire, cross arms, insulators and other equipment that may need to be addressed.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

More Information
During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

• Water and Ice Locations: Water and ice are available to customers without service due to the storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."
   
• Customer Generators: Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-tropical-storm-isaias-update-301109230.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities continue restoration efforts for customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Service has been restored to more than 769,500 JCP&L customers – more than 97% of the 788,000 customers impacted by the storm.

More than 9,000 utility personnel from JCP&L, other FirstEnergy companies, and partner utilities from electric industry mutual assistance organizations continue working around the clock to restore power to about 18,500 JCP&L customers who remain without power. Utility crews have replaced more than 200,000 feet of wire, repaired or replaced more than 500 poles and 2,200 crossarms, and worked through more than 700 closed roads to repair service.

At this stage in the restoration effort, our crews are addressing many localized issues and restoring individual customers. This requires crews to travel to each individual location. This is the most time-consuming, labor intensive and complex part of service restoration. Based on current outages and damage assessments, we are projecting that some of the these more difficult restorations in the Central Region are expected to be restored by Monday, August 10 at 11:30 p.m., and in the Northern Region to be restored by Tuesday, August 11 at 11:30 p.m.

If your neighbor's power is on and yours is not, the problem may be isolated to your individual service. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts.  More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

County Updates:

• Middlesex County: Fewer than 10 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. tonight.
• Ocean County: Approximately 330 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. tonight.
• Burlington County: Approximately 290 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. tonight.
• Monmouth County: Approximately 2,800 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Monday.
• Warren County: Fewer than 30 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Mercer County: Fewer than 80 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Passaic County: Approximately 300 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Hunterdon County: Approximately 700 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Essex County: Approximately 1,000 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Sussex County: Approximately 1,100 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Somerset County: Approximately 2,200 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Union County: Approximately 2,800 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Morris County: Approximately 6,700 customers remain without power. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

More Information
During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

• Water and Ice Locations: Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."
• Customer Generators: Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-tropical-storm-isaias-update-301108775.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities continue restoration efforts for customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Service has been restored to more than 696,000 JCP&L customers – more than 88% of the 788,000 customers impacted by the storm.

More than 9,000 utility personnel from JCP&L, other FirstEnergy companies, and partner utilities from electric industry mutual assistance organizations continue working around the clock to restore power to about 92,000 JCP&L customers who remain without power. Utility crews have replaced more than 140,000 feet of wire, hundreds of poles and crossarms, and worked through more than 400 closed roads to repair service.

Hardest hit areas:

• Monmouth County: Fewer than 30,000 customers remain without power of the 291,300 customers served.
• Morris County: Approximately 31,000 customers remain without power of the 202,100 customers served.
• Ocean County: Approximately 4,000 customers remain without power of the 25,400 customers served.
• Union County: Approximately 5,000 customers remain without power of the 27,200 customers served.

Based on current outages and damage assessments, some difficult restorations may extend into early next week, and we are projecting that these customers in both the Northern and Central Regions are expected to be restored by Tuesday, August 11 at 11:30 p.m. Customer-specific restoration estimates will be updated when available. For updates, please login to your JCP&L account, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), or visit www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

More Information
During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

• Water and Ice Locations: Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."
• Customer Generators: Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-tropical-storm-isaias-update-301108730.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities continue restoration efforts for customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Service has been restored to approximately 566,000 JCP&L customers – more than 72% of the 788,000 customers impacted by the storm.

More than 8,000 utility personnel from JCP&L, other FirstEnergy companies, and partner utilities from electric industry mutual assistance organizations continue working around the clock to restore power to about 221,000 JCP&L customers who remain without power, which includes approximately 155,000 customers in the hardest hit areas of Morris, Monmouth and Union counties. Utility crews have replaced more than 68,000 feet of wire, hundreds of poles and crossarms, and worked through more than 360 closed roads to repair service.

Based on current outages and damage assessments, approximately 85% of affected customers are expected to be restored by the end of the day today. The majority of remaining customers in both the Northern and Central Regions are expected to be restored by Tuesday, August 11 at 11:30 p.m.

FirstEnergy continues to work closely with its utility companies and mutual assistance organizations to secure additional resources to assist with restoring all impacted customers.

More Information
During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

• Water and Ice Locations: Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."
• Customer Generators: Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-tropical-storm-isaias-update-301108463.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities continue restoration efforts for customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) who lost power as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Service has been restored to approximately 478,000 JCP&L customers and approximately 83,000 Met-Ed customers.

Downed trees, broken branches and road closures continue to hamper crews' efforts to access areas with damage to make repairs to broken poles and downed wires. Nearly 6,000 utility personnel from JCP&L, other FirstEnergy companies, and partner utilities from electric industry mutual assistance organizations are working to restore power in the hardest hit areas in JCP&L. FirstEnergy continues to work closely with these organizations to secure additional resources to assist with storm restoration efforts should they be needed.

Utility Summaries

• JCP&L: Crews are making repairs to about 310,000 customers who remain without power. Hardest hit areas include Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties. Based on current outages and damage assessments, we expect to restore 85% of affected customers by the end of the day Friday. The majority of remaining customers in both the Northern and Central Regions are expected to be restored by Tuesday, August 11 at 11:30 p.m.
• Met-Ed: Work is ongoing to restore power to the remaining 5,000 customers, with the majority of customers expected to be restored by Friday afternoon.

More Information

During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

• Water and Ice Locations: Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit http://www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."

• Customer Generators: Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Connect with FirstEnergy companies online at www.firstenergycorp.com, on Twitter at @Met_Ed or @JCP_L, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric or www.facebook.com/JCPandL.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-tropical-storm-isaias-update-301108020.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) utilities have restored service to more than 288,000 customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) who lost power after Tropical Storm Isaias swept through the region Tuesday. Crews are working around the clock to assess damage and restore service to approximately 588,000 customers who remain without power in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The powerful storm system passed swiftly through New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania Tuesday afternoon, pouring down up to 7" of rain and battering the region with wind gusts exceeding 65 mph.

Nearly 4,000 utility personnel are working to restore power in JCP&L's service territory, including approximately 1,000 JCP&L employees, 1,500 employees and contractors from FirstEnergy companies that were not impacted by the storm, and more than 1,500 external resources that had already been secured. Approximately 1,300 additional external line workers are being deployed and two additional staging sites are being established in Forked River and North Flemington, N.J., to provide further restoration assistance in the hardest hit areas of JCP&L's service territory.  

Met-Ed line crews are being assisted by approximately 154 external utility personnel, contractors who have been working on transmission and distribution projects across its service area, as well as additional employees and contractors assisting from the company's other Pennsylvania utilities.

"As the Tropical Storm crossed our JCP&L and Met-Ed service territories, heavy winds and rain caused thousands of instances of downed wires, broken poles and crossarms, and damaged transformers caused by trees and other debris contacting our electrical equipment," said Samuel L. Belcher, senior vice president and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "Though repair work can be slowed by unsafe working conditions and numerous road closures, we will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and deploy resources as needed until power to all customers has been restored."

Current outage updates as of 10:00 a.m. today include:

• JCP&L: Approximately 788,000 customers in northern and central New Jersey lost power due to the storm, and 565,000 remain without service. Hardest hit areas include Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties. Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses.
• Met-Ed: Approximately 88,000 customers in eastern Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 23,000 remain without service. Based on current outages, the majority of customers are expected to be restored by August 7 at 2:00 p.m.

FirstEnergy continues to ensure the safety and health of all emergency response personnel by adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines during the coronavirus health emergency. To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel continue to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

Water and Ice Locations

• Water and ice are available to customers without service due to yesterday's storm. For a list of locations, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/storminfo and click on "water and ice locations."

Customer Generators

• Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.   

Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met_Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the preparation efforts to respond to Tropical Storm Isaias, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities have secured more than 1,800 additional resources to assist in the company's service areas expected to be impacted the most.

On Tuesday, the Tropical Storm began moving into New Jersey, as well as eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. The storm is expected to produce heavy rains and high winds across the Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) and Potomac Edison service territories throughout the afternoon. Gusts may reach 65 mph along the coast of JCP&L's service area and rainfall could exceed 6" in all impacted areas.

FirstEnergy has sent resources from its utilities that are not expected to be impacted by the storm to assist in restoration efforts. In addition, JCP&L has set up staging sites in Jackson Township, Oceanport and Livingston, N.J., and secured the following additional outside resources to help restore electricity to customers who lost power due to the storm:

• Approximately 740 line workers
• Approximately 725 forestry contractors
• Approximately 270 hazard responders
• Approximately 75 damage assessors
• Approximately 30 support personnel

Met-Ed and Potomac Edison line crews will be assisted by contractors who are currently working on transmission and distribution projects across its service areas. FirstEnergy continues to work closely with contractors and electric industry mutual assistance organizations to secure additional resources to assist with storm restoration efforts should they be needed.

As part of this mobilization effort, FirstEnergy continues to ensure the safety and health of all emergency response personnel by adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and providing access to necessary protective equipment and cleaning supplies. To safeguard the health and safety of FirstEnergy employees, contractors and the public, please respect social distancing protocols as utility personnel work around the clock to restore all power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias. 

During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan ahead for the possibility of electric service interruptions by following these tips:

• Keep flashlights and fresh batteries in your home. Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
• Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources indoors. These can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to build up in your home.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information.

Customer Generators

• Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met_Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility personnel are prepared to respond quickly to restore power to customers should Tropical Storm Isaias impact the areas where the company provides electric service.

Company meteorologists are tracking the storm system, which is forecast to move up the east coast into New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, with the possibility of producing heavy rain and very strong, sustained winds across the Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) service territories throughout the day Tuesday.

The companies have established storm response plans, which include staffing additional dispatchers, damage assessors and analysts at regional dispatch offices, and arranging to bring in additional line, substation and forestry personnel, as needed, based on the severity of the weather.

As part of the storm planning process, JCP&L has secured additional resources to assist in the areas expected to be impacted in the coming days and is setting up staging sites in N.J. In addition, FirstEnergy has coordinated with contractors and electric industry mutual assistance organizations to secure additional resources to assist with storm restoration efforts should they be needed. 

Met-Ed line crews will be assisted by contractors who are currently working on transmission and distribution projects across its service area. As the Tropical Storm path becomes more certain, FirstEnergy utilities will continue mobilizing resources to provide support to all expected storm impact areas.

Company representatives also have been in contact with emergency management officials, state officials, regulators and local officials about Tropical Storm Isaias preparation efforts.

During severe weather, customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan ahead for the possibility of electric service interruptions by following these tips:

• Keep flashlights and fresh batteries in your home. Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
• Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources indoors. These can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to build up in your home.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune to a local station for current storm information.

Customer Generators

• Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met_Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Power Systems Institute (PSI), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) award-winning program to train the next generation of dedicated line and substation workers, restarted training programs in early July after a four-month suspension due to the nation's coronavirus health emergency. Resuming the program with well-informed and measured precautions in place helps ensure the company is continuing to develop its important workforce that delivers safe and reliable electricity to customers despite the pandemic.

Second-year students of the two-year program returned to training centers July 6, and first-year students returned July 27 to complete suspended training. PSI personnel are following corporate health and safety guidelines and are taking all precautions to safeguard FirstEnergy's employees, contractors, students and candidates at the training centers. Actions include:

• Daily temperature checks and screening to ensure health and wellness.
• Smaller group sizes with students working in pod-like groups to limit exposure.
• Maintaining 6-feet social distances between instructors and students whenever possible.
• Requiring facemasks when moving through the building and in spaces where 6-feet social distancing is not possible.
• Enhanced cleaning of classrooms, tools and equipment.
• Remote coursework options for new applicants.

"The Power Systems Institute already has provided FirstEnergy's operating companies with nearly 2,000 highly-qualified employees who are working in the field today, using the training they received from this unique program to keep the lights on for our customers," said Rob Petit, supervisor of Power Systems Institute. "We're committed to maintaining our deep focus on safety as we continue this important training program for the future employees of our company."

Graduates of the program receive an Associate of Technical Studies degree with a focus on electric utility technology. While graduation ceremonies will not be held this year due to state orders that ban large gatherings, program graduates will still be hired by one of FirstEnergy's operating companies in September.

FirstEnergy originally introduced PSI in 2000 to help replace retiring line and substation workers. The PSI program combines classroom learning with hands-on training. Programs were established with colleges throughout the company's six-state service area. Program openings are limited, and applicants will be assessed through a competitive, multi-step process. For qualified students, FirstEnergy pays tuition, required books and lab fees. For more information, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/psi or call 1-800-829-6801.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Charles E. Jones:

On Friday morning, July 24, 2020, FirstEnergy Corp. (FirstEnergy) hosted a conference call and live webcast to discuss our second quarter financial results with investors and analysts. Following the call, there were some additional questions that led me to believe it might be beneficial to clarify several points that I made.

The first relates to details of the separation of FirstEnergy and FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), which began when FirstEnergy announced a strategic review of competitive generation in November of 2016. Also, in November, the FES board was replaced with two independent board members and three new board members from the competitive generation business. FirstEnergy and FES independently engaged legal and financial advisors to help guide each of us through the complicated strategic review. At that point, I and other members of FirstEnergy leadership no longer had any decision-making power regarding the strategic direction of FES. This fell under the purview of the FES board. Leaders at FirstEnergy, me included, had frequent discussions with FES leadership and its board about the strategic review and, as it progressed, numerous matters related to FES, including employee impacts and shared services. As events unfolded, FES' focus turned increasingly to bankruptcy as the sole alternative, culminating with the bankruptcy filing in March 2018. Immediately after, FES was deconsolidated from FirstEnergy's financial statements.

The second clarification I'd like to make is regarding FirstEnergy making decisions under the shared services agreement with respect to external affairs. During the call, a question was asked as to whether we were "running external affairs" for FES following our separation. As I responded at the time, this was not the case. While FES received support from FirstEnergy's External Affairs team to varying degrees, that support decreased over time, particularly, as the FES bankruptcy approached. FES made its own decisions after its new board was in place with respect to its external affairs strategy.

This third clarification, while perhaps unnecessary, is related to my statement that in every interaction with political leaders, I talked about FirstEnergy's obligations to conduct its business transparently, ethically, and professionally. While those responsibilities are central to my actions, I did not mean to suggest that I express that responsibility literally in every single communication. 

As I have said many times, conducting our business ethically and acting with integrity and honesty are foundational principles for the entire FirstEnergy family as well as me personally. These high standards have fostered the trust of our employees, customers, and the financial community. 

Forward-Looking Statements: This statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Unless the context requires otherwise, as used herein, references to "we", "us", "our", and "FirstEnergy" refer to FirstEnergy Corp. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the extent and duration of the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated;  the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, , or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q together with any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today reported second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings of $309 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $2.5 billion. In the second quarter of 2019, FirstEnergy reported GAAP earnings of $308 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $2.5 billion. Second quarter results include the impact of special items listed below.

Operating (non-GAAP) earnings* for the second quarter of 2020 were $0.57 per share, near the top end of the company's guidance. In the second quarter of 2019, operating (non-GAAP) earnings were $0.61 per share.

"I am extremely proud of the performance by our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Charles E. Jones, FirstEnergy chief executive officer. "They have not missed a beat as they adapted to new work protocols to keep each other safe and continued delivering energy to our customers. At the same time, our fully regulated business model and rate structure are providing a measure of stability through the economic slowdown, and we remain on track to meet our commitments to the investment community."

"We intend to cooperate fully with the Department of Justice investigation involving the Ohio Speaker of the House, and we will ensure our company's involvement in supporting HB 6 is understood as accurately as possible," Jones said. "I believe that FirstEnergy acted ethically in this matter. At no time did our support for Ohio's nuclear plants interfere with or supersede our ethical obligations to conduct our business properly. I believe the facts will become clear as the investigation progresses."

For the third quarter of 2020, FirstEnergy is providing a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) forecast range of $395 million to $450 million, or $0.73 to $0.83 per share based on 542 million shares outstanding.

The company is affirming its full-year 2020 GAAP earnings forecast range of $1.02 billion to $1.13 billion, or $1.88 to $2.08 per share, based on 542 million shares, as well as its full-year operating (non-GAAP) guidance of $2.40 to $2.60 per share.

FirstEnergy is also affirming its long-term growth rate projections. The company remains on track to achieve 6% to 8% compound annual operating (non-GAAP) earnings growth (CAGR)** from 2018 to 2021, as well as its extended CAGR of 5% to 7% through 2023. That projection includes plans to issue up to $600 million of equity annually starting in 2022 to fund the company's regulated growth initiatives.

Second Quarter Results

In FirstEnergy's Regulated Distribution business, second quarter 2020 operating results benefited from higher residential volume, incremental rider revenues in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and weather-related usage. These factors were offset by the absence of the Ohio Distribution Modernization Rider and higher expenses compared to the second quarter of 2019.  

Total distribution deliveries decreased 3.1% compared to the second quarter of 2019, primarily due to the impact of the pandemic on commercial and industrial sales. Residential sales increased 17.1%, as a result of the stay-at-home orders in our service territories and a benefit from weather-related customer usage compared to the second quarter of 2019. Commercial deliveries decreased 14.4%, while sales to industrial customers decreased 11.7%. 

In the Regulated Transmission business, second quarter 2020 operating results decreased slightly primarily due to higher net financing costs and a true-up of the formula rate, which offset higher rate base associated with the company's ongoing investments in its Energizing the Future transmission program. 

In the Corporate/Other segment, second quarter 2020 operating results reflect higher expenses compared to the same quarter of 2019.

For the first half of 2020, FirstEnergy reported GAAP earnings of $383 million, or $0.71 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $5.2 billion. This compares to GAAP earnings of $623 million or $1.17 per basic and diluted share of common stock, on revenue of $5.4 billion in the first six months of 2019. Results for both periods reflect the impact of special items listed below.

Operating (non-GAAP) earnings* for the first half of 2020 were $1.23 per share, compared to $1.28 per share in the first half of 2019.

Non-GAAP financial measures
* Operating earnings (loss) excludes "special items" as described below, and is a non-GAAP financial measure. Special items represent charges incurred or benefits realized that management believes are not indicative of, or may obscure trends useful in evaluating the company's ongoing core activities and results of operations or otherwise warrant separate classification. Special items also reflect the adjustment to include the full impact of share dilution from the $2.5 billion equity issuance in January 2018. Special items are not necessarily non-recurring. Management uses Operating earnings (loss) and Operating earnings (loss) per share to evaluate the company's performance and manage its operations and frequently references these non-GAAP financial measures in its decision making, using them to facilitate historical and ongoing performance comparisons. Additionally, management uses Operating earnings (loss) per share by segment to further evaluate the company's performance by segment and references this non-GAAP financial measure in its decision making. Operating earnings (loss) per share and operating earnings (loss) per share for each segment is calculated by dividing Operating earnings (loss), which excludes specials items as discussed herein, for the periods presented in 2019 by 539 million shares, 541 million shares for the first half of 2020, and 542 million shares in the second quarter and full year of 2020, which reflects the full impact of share dilution from the equity issuance in January 2018. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures of Operating earnings (loss) and Operating earnings (loss) per share and Operating earnings (loss) per share by segment provide consistent and comparable measures of performance of its businesses on an ongoing basis. Management also believes that such measures are useful to shareholders and other interested parties to understand performance trends and evaluate the company against its peer group by presenting period-over-period operating results without the effect of certain charges or benefits that may not be consistent or comparable across periods or across the company's peer group. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to complement, and are not considered as alternatives to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Also, the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, FirstEnergy has provided, where possible without unreasonable effort, quantitative reconciliations within this presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

** The Company's management team cannot estimate on a forward-looking basis the impact of special items in the context of Operating earnings (loss) per share growth projections because special items, which could be significant, are difficult to predict and may be highly variable. Consequently, the Company is unable to reconcile Operating earnings (loss) per share growth projections to a GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

Investor Materials and Teleconference

FirstEnergy's Strategic and Financial Highlights and Investor Factbook are posted on the company's Investor Information website – www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. To access the report, click on the Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results link.

The company invites investors, customers and other interested parties to listen to a live webcast of its teleconference for financial analysts and view presentation slides at 10:00 a.m. EDT tomorrow. FirstEnergy management will present an overview of the company's financial results, followed by a question-and-answer session. The teleconference and presentation can be accessed on the website by selecting the Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Webcast link. The webcast and presentation will be archived on the website.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: The extent and duration of COVID-19 and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing government investigation regarding Ohio House Bill 6 and related matters; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) investors who have suffered losses in excess of $50,000 to submit their losses now.  The Firm has opened an investigation into FirstEnergy and certain investors may have valuable claims.

Relevant Holding Period: Before July. 21, 2020
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FE  
Contact An Attorney Now: FE@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) Investigation:

The investigation centers on whether FirstEnergy adequately disclosed the legality and financial impact of its lobbying activities.

On July 21, 2020, multiple news outlets reported that the FBI had arrested Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others in connection with an alleged $60 million illegal bribery scheme in return for Householder's support for legislation that ultimately passed in 2019, and which bailed out two nuclear power plants of Energy Harbor Corp., a former subsidiary of FirstEnergy. In addition, FirstEnergy announced that it had "received subpoenas in connection with the investigation surrounding" that legislation, Ohio House Bill 6.

In response to this news, analysts downgraded FirstEnergy and the price of FirstEnergy shares has cratered.

"We're focused on investors' losses and whether FirstEnergy misled investors about the purpose and legality of company expenditures," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you purchased shares of FirstEnergy and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding FirstEnergy should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program.  Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC.  For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 510-725-3000 or email FE@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys.  The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation.  More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com.  For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw.

Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 510-725-3000

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SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

MILWAUKEE, July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP is investigating possible securities fraud claims against FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) resulting from inaccurate statements FirstEnergy made regarding its internal controls, business practices, financial statements and prospects.

Click here to learn more about the investigation: http://ademilaw.com/case/firstenergy-corp or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

The investigation focuses on whether FirstEnergy issued false and misleading statements regarding its business practices, internal controls and prospects.  Specifically, FirstEnergy allegedly spent approximately $2.9 million on Larry Householder's 2017 campaign.  Householder became Ohio House Speaker in 2019 and allegedly returned the favor by enacting laws to support FirstEnergy's nuclear plants as well as a pair of coal plants.  In total, political donations and bribes by FirstEnergy and other parties involved may have totaled as much as $60 million.

Householder and his alleged accomplices have been charged federally with "conspiracy to participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of an enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity."

If you wish to obtain additional information or have information about this investigation of FirstEnergy, please contact Guri Ademi either at gademi@ademilaw.com or toll-free: 866-264-3995, http://ademilaw.com/case/firstenergy-corp.                    

We specialize in securities fraud and shareholder litigation.  For more information, please feel free to call us.  Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:
Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP
Guri Ademi
3620 East Layton Ave.
Cudahy, WI 53110
Toll Free: (866) 264-3995
Fax: (414) 482-8001
www.ademilaw.com

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SOURCE Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP

AKRON, Ohio, July 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today issued the following statement:

This afternoon, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) received subpoenas in connection with the investigation surrounding Ohio House Bill 6. We are reviewing the details of the investigation and we intend to fully cooperate.

Forward-Looking Statements: This statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Unless the context requires otherwise, as used herein, references to "we", "us", "our", and "FirstEnergy" refer to FirstEnergy Corp. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the extent and duration of the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated;  the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, , or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q together with any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today declared an unchanged quarterly dividend of 39 cents per share of outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable September 1, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 7, 2020.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Unless the context requires otherwise, as used herein, references to "we", "us", "our", and "FirstEnergy" refer to FirstEnergy Corp. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the extent and duration of the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) and the impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, volatile capital and credit markets, legislative and regulatory actions, the effectiveness of our pandemic and business continuity plans, the precautionary measures we are taking on behalf of our customers and employees, our customers' ability to make their utility payment and the potential for supply-chain disruptions; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets risks associated with the decommissioning of TMI-2; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; legislative and regulatory developments including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity; economic and weather conditions affecting future operating results, such as significant weather events and other natural disasters, and associated regulatory events or actions; changes in assumptions regarding economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, the impact of climate change or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our major industrial and commercial customers or others with which we do business; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts and other trust funds, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated;  the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation and like proceedings; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, , or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. Dividends declared from time to time on our common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by our Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q together with any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures rise, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) customers can take steps to beat the heat while also managing their energy costs.  

Extreme temperatures can often lead to rising energy usage for customers as the need for air conditioning increases and HVAC systems strain to keep up with higher demand. While customers are unable to control the weather, there are several things they can do to keep their homes cool without relying solely on their home's air conditioning unit.

Implementing the following tips will help customers use electricity wisely during this period of high demand:

• Set thermostats as high as comfort will allow. Every degree a customer can increase the temperature in their home will result in using about 3 percent less energy during the summer. During sunny weather, close drapes or blinds on windows facing the sun to prevent direct radiant heating from impacting interior temperatures.
• Use fans – moving air cools skin faster, resulting in greater comfort on hot days.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to keep temperatures higher when no one is home and to reduce the temperature before arrival back home.
• Only operate window air conditioners when someone is in the room.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers as full as possible. Frozen or cold items in the refrigerator help keep other items cool, reducing the amount of work the refrigerator has to do to maintain a lower temperature.
• Close rooms that aren't used regularly during the summer, and close the air conditioning vents in those rooms, as well.
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours of the day. The less heat produced at home, the less work the air conditioner will do.
• Consider investing in ENERGY STAR® appliances or heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. FirstEnergy's utilities may offer rebates on these purchases and tax deductions may apply as well.
• Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters. Clogged filters waste energy and money by forcing HVAC systems to work harder than necessary.

FirstEnergy is also taking steps to ensure its system is prepared to handle the increased electricity demands during the summer period. Its utilities are proactively inspecting the system using special infrared cameras to identify issues with substations and power lines invisible to the eye. Proactive repairs are made where necessary to avoid potential power outages in the future. In addition, visual inspections of other equipment including transformers, capacitors and lightning arrestors are being conducted to ensure equipment is operational and lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases.

Other FirstEnergy summer safety tips are available at www.firstenergycorp.com/safety.
For bill assistance resources, customers may visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) will release financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2020 after markets close on Thursday, July 23. These results will be discussed by FirstEnergy management during a conference call with financial analysts at 10 a.m. EDT on Friday, July 24. A question-and-answer session will follow.   

Investors, customers and other interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call and view presentation slides via FirstEnergy's Investor Information website, www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. The webcast and presentation will be available for replay on the site for up to one year. 

The company plans to post its second quarter presentation and supporting materials to the investor section of the website after markets close on July 23. 

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

READING, Pa., July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing Energizing the Future investment program, Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), a transmission subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has begun construction of a new transmission line in Altoona, Pa. The new line will provide flexibility to the transmission and distribution system to quickly restore power to customers after service interruptions resulting from storms, vehicle accidents or equipment issues.

The new 46-kilovolt (kV) line linking Penelec's Westfall Substation near 17^th Avenue to its 20^th Street Substation near Boyer Candy will provide a second source of electricity for the 20^th Street Substation. At present, the 20^th Street Substation and the distribution lines leaving the substation are fed by a lone transmission line, which could result in lengthy power outages if repairs were required on that line.

"This project will yield immediate benefits for about 3,000 of our residential and commercial customers in the downtown area, including the Altoona Area Senior/Junior High School Complex, UPMC Station Medical Center, Jaffa Mosque and the Railroaders Museum," said Nick Austin, regional president of Penelec. "Rather than having to wait until repairs are completed when there is a problem, we will have the capability to quickly get the lights back on for our customers by temporarily switching to a different power source."

The new transmission line will be placed primarily on wood poles ranging from 70 to 90 feet tall and largely follow an existing distribution line corridor. Where the line turns and space is insufficient for guy wires, construction crews will erect self-supporting steel poles.  The existing poles carrying the distribution circuit will be demolished and the circuit will be moved onto the same poles carrying the new transmission line.

A drilling contractor has been working to excavate holes and pour foundations for the poles for the past month. Crews are now setting poles, and the work is expected to be complete in mid-August. The one-mile line will cost about $4 million.

This summer, crews will also begin rebuilding the existing 46-kV line connecting the 20^th Street Substation to the Collinsville Substation at a cost of approximately $4 million. A larger wire size will be utilized to increase the carrying capacity of the line and enhance electric service reliability for approximately 35,000 Penelec customers in Blair County. This section is scheduled to be completed by October.

Through the Energizing the Future transmission investment program, FirstEnergy is upgrading or replacing existing transmission lines, constructing new lines, incorporating new, smart technology into the grid, and outfitting dozens of substations with new equipment and advanced security features. These upgrades are increasing reliability across the FirstEnergy transmission system.   

Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of crews building the new line are available for download on Flickr.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

ERIE, Pa., July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Penelec, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility, recently injected sections of an aging underground distribution line in Erie County with a silicone-based fluid that should prolong its useful life by decades. This method allows the cable to support continued reliable electric service for a fraction of what it would have cost to replace it and eliminates the need to dig trenches through landscaped yards and driveways for cable replacement.

Over time, water and corrosive soil materials can penetrate underground wire through tiny cracks and fissures, causing power outages. Rather than disturbing dirt to replace nearly 1.5 miles of aging underground cable along Fieldcrest Drive and Townsend Drive in Fairview Township, Penelec hired an electrical contractor that specializes in restoring buried cable without excavation.

This is the first time Penelec has used fluid injections to rehabilitate underground electric cable. The company may consider the process for more widespread application in coming years. The approximately $80,000 project is part of the company's ongoing efforts to strengthen the durability of its electric system and enhance service reliability for its customers.

"Underground electrical equipment is in many ways better protected from the elements than overhead wires, but when an outage occurs it often takes longer for our crews to pinpoint where the underground problem is and make repairs," said Nick Austin, regional president of Penelec. "The underground cable rejuvenation process only costs about half as much as replacing the cable – plus, it's far less time consuming and disruptive for neighborhoods."

Accessing de-energized wires through underground vaults, the contractor forced pressurized silicone-based fluid into the cable, filling the cracks and spaces in the worn insulation encasing the wire with new material. The fluid provides a shot in the arm, strengthening the existing cable and helping it perform well for another 20 to 30 years.   

Penelec plans to replace another 30,000 feet of aging underground cable in 2020. Much of that cable has been spliced and repaired too many times for those line sections to be good candidates for fluid injection.

The work is part of Penelec's Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plans (LTIIP II), a $200 million initiative to accelerate capital investments over five years to help ensure continued electric service reliability for the company's 585,000 customers.

Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter @Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.  

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of underground cable rejuvenation work in the Penelec service area are available for download on Flickr.                                   

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Residential customers of FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Ohio utilities – The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison – can save energy and earn a rebate up to $75 through September 30, 2020, with the purchase of an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat. In addition to providing energy savings, these devices offer environmental benefits and convenience while giving customers added insight into their home energy use.  

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in one's home for optimal performance. With remote features, customers can regulate the temperature and comfort settings for their home based on their schedule.

Nearly half of a home's energy costs can come from heating and cooling, totaling more than $900 per year. Smart thermostats give customers more control over their home's temperature settings and may help save money during these difficult times.  

"Hot summer weather, coupled with more time at home during the coronavirus health emergency, can increase electricity use, resulting in higher electric bills," said Nicole Williams, Manager of Energy Efficiency Residential Program Implementation at FirstEnergy.  "Smart thermostat technology can be helpful in saving money by automatically adjusting temperature settings to keep you comfortable when you are home and switching to energy-saving settings when you are away."

The $75 rebates are available for both online and in-store purchases. For more details on the program or to submit a rebate, visit www.energysaveOhio.com.

Ohio Edison serves more than 1 million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, July 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing upgrades to its electric system in the area that are expected to enhance electric service reliability for 193,000 customers in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. 

The work includes installing more than 500 new utility poles and replacing 11 miles of existing power lines with thicker, more durable wire designed to withstand severe weather elements and tree debris. The work includes the creation of additional circuit ties, where adjacent distribution lines are interconnected so power can be re-routed to customers from another source if a line is damaged, resulting in faster power restoration.

Customers also will benefit from installation of more than 20 new automated reclosing devices that can help restore power to customers within seconds in the event of a power outage. These electrical devices allow utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers rather than sending a crew to investigate, which is especially helpful in rural or hard-to-access areas.

"We are committed to providing the highest quality of electric service to the communities we serve," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power. "This work to modernize our distribution system is necessary to meet the growing energy demands of our customers for many years to come."

Part of Ohio Edison's Grid Modernization Plan, a three-year investment approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to modernize the electric distribution system in Ohio, the work began in March and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

In addition to Ohio Edison's distribution system upgrades, the company plans to install about 72,000 smart meters in Trumbull County by the end of 2022, primarily in the Warren and Kinsman areas. Most of the installs are expected to begin early next year and continue through early 2022. This step toward a more modernized electric system will enable automated meter readings and may enhance the company's ability to respond to outages faster and more efficiently.

FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities, including Ohio Edison, have developed a comprehensive smart meter plan that was approved by the PUCO to identify several locations throughout the company's service area that will benefit from these efforts in the most cost-effective manner.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of Ohio Edison crews restringing power lines and installing new equipment are available for download on Flickr.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

NEW CASTLE, Pa., June 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is upgrading infrastructure and installing technology to modernize its electric system in Lawrence County as part of a new, four-year plan expected to enhance electric service reliability for customers. This work builds upon the company's previous system upgrades that have decreased electric service disruption frequency by 20% for customers in areas where work has been completed since 2016.

Projects in Lawrence County include installing approximately 300 new poles and replacing more than 50,000 feet of power lines with thicker, more durable wire designed to withstand severe weather elements and tree debris. The work includes the creation of additional circuit ties, where adjacent distribution lines are interconnected so power can be re-routed to customers from another source if a line is damaged, resulting in faster power restoration. In addition, customers will benefit from the installation of nearly a dozen new automated reclosing devices that can help restore power to customers within seconds in the event of a power outage. 

The new, automated technology is safer and saves time and money because utility workers can restore service to customers remotely rather than sending a crew to investigate, which is especially helpful in rural areas.

"Penn Power's investments to modernize the local energy grid to date have successfully reduced the number and length of outages our customers experience, and we expect similar results with the ongoing work," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Penn Power and Ohio Edison. "To continue meeting the evolving energy needs of our customers, we remain committed to updating and modernizing the infrastructure, technology and equipment used to provide safe, dependable electric service."

The work started earlier this month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It is part of Penn Power's second phase Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to help enhance electric service for customers.

Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn_Power, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower, and online at www.pennpower.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of Penn Power crews restringing power lines and installing new equipment are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel installing the new electrical equipment in Lawrence County can be found on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, June 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the hot summer months likely to produce higher electric usage and potentially severe weather, FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Ohio utilities – Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison – recently completed inspections and conducted equipment maintenance expected to enhance service reliability for Ohio customers. 

"We proactively inspect and maintain our equipment to help ensure system reliability to meet the increased electrical demand when the temperatures climb," said Gary Grant, president of FirstEnergy's Ohio operations. "We anticipate more customers will be spending time at home this summer, and our goal is to continue delivering the safe and reliable power they depend on to stay comfortable."

Helicopter patrols have completed inspections on nearly 7,200 miles of FirstEnergy transmission line circuits located across the company's entire Ohio footprint. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections are addressed quickly.

On the ground, proactive equipment inspections include using "thermovision" cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment that can detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or "hot spots" indicating areas that could need repairs. These images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, and utility workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future.

Other utility work being done by FirstEnergy utility personnel includes inspecting distribution circuits, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and lightning arrestors to ensure the equipment is operational and the lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases during the summer, typically due to air conditioning usage.

FirstEnergy's utility employees also participated in readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company's restoration process used to repair storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common in the utility industry in the wake of severe weather over the last several years.

In addition to the work being done by company employees, summer also is a time when contractors and homeowners spend more time outdoors completing projects. FirstEnergy offers important outdoor electrical safety tips at www.firstenergycorp.com/safety.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

The Illuminating Company serves 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Connect with The Illuminating Company at www.illuminatingcompany.com, on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 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 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for FirstEnergy customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company's YouTube channel.