AKRON,
Ohio, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Ohio Edison is contributing
$10 million to expedite removal of
the Gorge Dam, marking a major stride toward unlocking substantial
environmental, economic and recreational benefits for communities
along the Cuyahoga River in northeast Ohio. This significant investment supports the
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Summit Metro Parks'
plan for sediment management and habitat restoration that is
expected to begin next year.
For more information on the Gorge Dam removal and updates
on the project's progress, visit bit.ly/freethefalls.
The Gorge Dam was built in 1911 by Northern Ohio Traction &
Light – which later became Ohio Edison. It operated as a
hydroelectric power plant until 1958 and later provided cooling
water for a coal-fired power plant until 1992. While the power
plant was dismantled years ago, the dam remains the only barrier
keeping the Cuyahoga River from flowing freely between Kent, Ohio, and the mouth of Lake Erie.
Amanda Mertens Campbell, vice
president of External Affairs at FirstEnergy: "This
exciting project has been many years in the making, with
FirstEnergy playing a key role in the planning and support. Our
contribution toward the safe and sustainable removal of this dam is
a testament to FirstEnergy's commitment to living its core value of
stewardship. The dam's deconstruction requires extensive
collaboration between governmental entities and the community, and
this contribution exemplifies FirstEnergy's dedication to enhancing
the quality of life as well as our environment in the communities
we serve."
Before the Gorge Dam can be safely deconstructed, the removal
and safe disposal of approximately one million cubic yards of
sediment accumulated behind the dam is necessary. Project partners
are finalizing the engineering plans for sediment removal and plan
to begin this phase of the project in 2024.
Summit Metro Parks Executive Director Lisa King: "Moving this project forward
is a huge milestone for the entire state. In addition to improving
water quality, removing the dam and the sediment behind it will
restore the original grandeur of the Gorge, creating a vibrant
future for the river, its watershed and its people. That future
will provide clean water, natural beauty, recreational
opportunities and economic development for all to enjoy."
In addition to FirstEnergy's contribution, funding for the dam
removal project is being sourced from various levels of government,
including federal, state and local entities, with contributions
from the U.S. EPA through the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative.
FirstEnergy's dedication to responsible corporate citizenship is
evident in its commitment to sustainability and environmental
stewardship. The company's environmental justice policy reflects
its genuine concern for the equitable treatment of all communities,
particularly those disproportionately affected by environmental
challenges.
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.