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FirstEnergy Corp. to Upgrade Power Plants, Reducing Environmental Impact

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

FirstEnergy Corp.'s subsidiaries, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, have applied to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to undertake a multi-year environmental compliance program at their Fort Martin and Harrison power plants. The estimated $142 million program would upgrade the plants' wastewater treatment systems to meet EPA's effluent limitation guideline requirements, allowing the plants to operate until 2035 and 2040, respectively. This upgrade would create local jobs and benefit customers in West Virginia while minimizing the plants' environmental impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The upgrade program would cost approximately $142 million and would be funded through a ratepayer surcharge starting at 51 cents per month for the average residential customer in West Virginia in 2024.
  • The program would create local jobs and allow the plants to operate until 2035 and 2040, respectively, while minimizing their environmental impact.
  • The proposed upgrades support FirstEnergy's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 as part of its comprehensive climate strategy.
  • Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties, while Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 151,000 customers in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.
  • FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
  • The upgrade program would include new wastewater treatment projects to meet EPA's effluent limitation guideline requirements, with completion expected by the end of 2025.

Statistics:

  • Estimated cost of the upgrade program: $142 million
  • Average monthly ratepayer surcharge: 51 cents
  • Total power generated by Fort Martin and Harrison plants: 3,080 megawatts
  • Number of customers served by Mon Power: 395,000
  • Number of customers served by Potomac Edison: 275,000 (Maryland), 151,000 (West Virginia)
  • Transmission lines operated by FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiaries: approximately 24,000 miles

Sources:

  • FirstEnergy Corp.
  • Public Service Commission of West Virginia

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