December 19, 2024

FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA) has received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to implement phase three of our Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plans (LTIIP) to help ensure continued electric service reliability for our more than two million customers in the state.

“Over the past nine years, our enhancements to the power grid and proactive tree trimming along rights-of-way have yielded positive results,” said John Hawkins, President, Pennsylvania. “Our tailored improvement plans for each service area align seamlessly with our annual upgrades to the distribution network, helping us deliver the safe and reliable service our customers want and deserve. LTIIP III will further elevate these efforts by rebuilding overhead power lines and integrating more automated technology into our power lines and substations.”

The plans entail an additional $1.42 billion in capital investment over the next five years across FE PA’s service areas in the state – Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power – with projects designed to reduce the frequency of service interruptions for customers and shorten their duration when they occur. LTIIP III builds on more than $1 billion in investments made during the first two rounds of LTIIP that spanned 2016-2024. Since 2019, the frequency of interruptions a customer experiences over a year has dropped by 14% in areas where LTIIP work has been completed.

LTIIP III will focus on improving customer service reliability through grid modernization and system resiliency. Grid modernization projects include:

• Installing protective devices such as automated reclosers and fuses to power lines and building tie lines between power line sections to isolate damage and quickly restore electric service to customers from unaffected parts of the system.
• Converting lower-voltage power lines to standard voltages to better regulate voltage and provide operational flexibility to reduce the duration of outages.
• Updating underground networks with new conduits, cable, transformers, vaults, manholes and switches.
• Replacing aging substation equipment with modern breakers and electronic relays that offer improved monitoring and operational capabilities.

System resiliency focuses on strengthening the grid with projects such as:

• Replacing aging poles and overhead wire.
• Replacing underground cable nearing the end of its useful life.
• Selectively placing distribution equipment underground where feasible to enhance reliability.
• Building new power lines to provide more sources to supply electricity to customers, enhancing operational flexibility.

These targeted distribution projects complement each utility’s annual tree trimming and vegetation management efforts, which work in tandem to help minimize service interruptions.

Customers will see no bill impact from LTIIP III in 2025 because first-year program costs are included in FE PA’s distribution rate review approved in November by the PUC. Both LTIIPs and Distribution System Improvement Charges (DSICs) are authorized by Pennsylvania Act 11, which was approved in 2012 and established a process to encourage electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities in Pennsylvania to accelerate investments in aging infrastructure and create economic benefits.

FE PA anticipates filing additional LTIIPs in future years and is committed to a sound, cost-effective approach that will result in consistent reliability performance.

LTIIP III is part of Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program focused on transmission and distribution investments that will deliver the power FirstEnergy’s customers depend on today while also meeting the challenges of tomorrow. With planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028, the program will create a smarter, more secure and resilient grid that will meet and exceed reliability targets and accommodate electric vehicles, the electrification of homes and businesses and clean energy sources.