Projects mark pivotal step in diversifying region's energy
supply
FAIRMONT, W.Va., Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power and
Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), have
received approval from the West Virginia Public Service Commission
(PSC) to construct three solar projects in West Virginia that will create the opportunity
to purchase renewable energy and achieve sustainability goals.
The construction phase follows the PSC's Aug. 23 decision to approve the companies'
request to complete three of five planned solar sites. Ultimately,
the five sites will collectively generate 50 megawatts of renewable
energy. One megawatt of solar energy powers a national average of
173 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries
Association.
The PSC previously granted initial approval for the construction
pending final approval once the companies had subscribed enough
industrial, commercial and residential customers to
use approximately 85% of the renewable energy produced by the
sites. The three sites planned in Monongalia, Marion and Berkeley counties have met this
requirement. The companies plan to seek approval from the PSC
to build the additional two solar sites once customers subscribe to
the energy they will produce.
"Mon Power and Potomac Edison are committed to the environment
and enhancing reliability for customers by bolstering and
diversifying the region's energy mix," said Jim Myers, president of FirstEnergy's
West Virginia operations.
"Renewable energy is a large economic driver in attracting new
industry to West Virginia so it is
important to have this voluntary option available to
customers."
The companies recently cleared brush, leveled the ground and
installed roads and fences to prepare the initial site for solar
panel installation in the near future.
The Commission also approved the construction surcharge
requested by the companies, which is about a third of the amount
originally proposed. Beginning in 2024, the average residential
customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month will pay an
additional 14 cents each month. The
companies anticipate the surcharge will remain the same for 2025
and is expected to reduce to 11 cents
per month in 2026. All Mon Power and Potomac Edison residential
customers will pay the surcharge for the construction of the three
sites.
To subscribe or find out more about the solar program, Mon Power
and Potomac Edison customers in West
Virginia can submit their information through the website
at www.firstenergycorp.com/WVSolar or by calling
1-800-505-7283.
Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power
at mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook
at facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
Potomac Edison serves about 151,000 customers in the Eastern
Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow
Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on
Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook
at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, 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 and on
Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.