Founded in 1930 by 200 electric utilities, First Energy was originally an electric power business that competed. As the company matured, it merged with two utility operating companies to become one of the largest electric utilities in the country. In the latter part of the 1990s, Allegheny Energy, Inc. acquired the company.
FirstEnergy currently has nine companies and serves more than 6 million customers. Its electric generation comes primarily from nuclear power plants and coal however, it also comes from oil and hydroelectric power stations. It also has affiliates in Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey. It owns several entities that operate in the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest offering electricity and energy-related services.
FirstEnergy’s 10 regulated distributor companies oversee a vast network of infrastructure that includes more than 269,000 miles of power lines. They are committed to providing reliable, safe, and responsive service. The ten distribution companies they have provide services to customers in six states.
FirstEnergy’s transmission services include approximately 24,000 miles worth of lines. The company invests in grid modernization and improvements to increase reliability and capacity. It also has implemented the “Energizing The Future” transmission program. The transmission project is estimated to cost $4.2Billion until 2017.
FirstEnergy’s subsidiary, FirstEnergy Solutions, is the largest energy provider in the Mid-Atlantic region. It employs more than 500 and serves more than 200,000 commercial and residential customers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia. The company designs and produces Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and LED and SOLAR lighting projects. They are developed in partnership with the top manufacturers in the country. The company also designs multiple strategies to lower Demand Charges, which account for up to 55 percent of commercial energy costs. It is also recognized as a leader in promoting economic development.
The economic development team at FirstEnergy has played a role in influencing numerous major projects over the years, such as the construction of a new corporate headquarters in Ohio and the introduction of new distribution facilities in New Jersey. It also played a role in the creation of 22,000 jobs in its service region in 2021. In the last five years, ACE has donated more $3.1 million to local community groups.
The Potomac Edison companies of FirstEnergy provide services to customers in other states including New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The utilities provide reliable, safe and fast service to millions of customers in the Mid-Atlantic region. FirstEnergy is the owner of Penn Power in Pennsylvania. This electric distribution utility is regulated and serves more than 160,000 customers. It has five service centers that handle customer needs.
The FirstEnergy region has diverse geography and a long-running history of fair taxes and incentives. The proximity of FirstEnergy to major U.S. markets and international markets is an advantage in attracting investors. This is why the company has invested in transmission system enhancements and grid modernization to ensure that its assets are competitive. The company also announced plans for Units 4 and 5 to be repowered at the R.E. Burger Power Station in Shadyside, Ohio, as part of a pilot plant test to explore carbon capture retrofit equipment.