Helping to Plant the Seed
July 9, 2018
FirstEnergy joined more than a dozen other utility companies in participating in National Pollinator Week, June 18–24. Sponsored through the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Power-in-Pollinator Initiative, the program promoted the essential role bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects and animals play in helping to produce many of the foods and resources we use every day. The effort also was designed to educate people on how we can protect pollinators and their ecosystems.
As part of the company’s support, Vegetation Management set up informational displays at the Akron General Office and regional headquarters in Fairmont (W.Va.), Greensburg and Reading (Pa.). Employees stopping by the displays were able to pick up various educational brochures, as well as seed packets for pollinator-friendly plants.
In addition to this initiative, FirstEnergy maintains approximately 14,000 miles of transmission line corridors routinely using integrated vegetation management practices. Maintaining vegetation in these rights of way provides for low-growing and pollinator friendly plants that can help promote and sustain a healthy population of bees, butterflies and other pollinator insects, while delivering reliable power to our customers.