Mon Power and Potomac Edison offer tips for
customers to manage seasonal heating bills
FAIRMONT, W.Va., Dec. 12,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power and Potomac Edison,
subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), have completed
inspections and maintenance to help keep power flowing to customers
in their West Virginia service
areas this winter.
Jim Myers, president of
FirstEnergy's West Virginia
operations: "We know customers depend on our safe,
reliable delivery of power to keep them comfortable in the cold.
The proactive work we've completed ahead of the frigid months is
essential to ensure that our system and our equipment are well
prepared for winter weather challenges."
Download video and soundbites from a line worker about the
companies' winter prep efforts.
In recent months, Mon Power and Potomac Edison personnel have
inspected substation equipment and winterized substation control
buildings to ensure that crucial components of its system continue
to function properly during cold weather.
Electricians also inspected power lines, transformers and other
electrical equipment using thermovision cameras, which capture
infrared images that can reveal potential problems that aren't
visible through regular visual inspections. The infrared technology
can identify equipment issues such as loose connections and
corrosion, for example, and utility workers are able to make
repairs to prevent potential power outages.
At Mon Power's regulated power plants, Fort Martin Power Station
and Harrison Power Station, workers
have completed maintenance on plant equipment and executed its
winterization plan to ensure optimal performance during the winter
months.
Download video and soundbites from a
drone pilot who helps conduct companies' inspections.
Tree trimming around electrical equipment throughout the year
also helps meet the rigors of winter operations. Maintaining proper
clearances around electrical systems helps to protect against
tree-related outages caused by snow, high winds and ice. Mon Power
and Potomac Edison's tree contractors are on track to clear
vegetation along approximately 6,800 miles of power lines by the
end of 2023 to help prevent or minimize the impact of tree-related
outages.
Lastly, company bucket trucks and other vehicles are frequently
inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season.
Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air
braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow
removal equipment is also checked.
Beyond infrastructure maintenance, Mon Power and Potomac Edison
employees also participated in readiness exercises and drills
throughout the year to test the company's restoration process used
to address winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills are
becoming more common in the utility industry in response to severe
weather that has occurred over the last several years.
Cold Weather Tips for Customers
Customers can review tips to prepare in advance for severe
weather, and view restoration updates if storms do cause power
outages, by visiting FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center
at firstenergycorp.com/outages.
With the winter storm season also comes frigid temperatures and
rising energy costs. Customers can take steps to keep their homes
comfortable while managing their electricity bill this cold season.
The following tips can help customers use electricity wisely during
this period of high demand:
- Seal any leaks around windows and door frames with caulk or
weather stripping to prevent cold air from sneaking into your
home.
- Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use to keep cold
air out.
- Close the drapes at night. During the day, only open those that
receive direct sunlight.
- Check furnace fan filters. Clogged filters waste energy and
money by forcing a heating system to work harder than
necessary.
- Make sure your home is properly insulated. If you have less
than six inches of insulation, you'll benefit by adding more.
- Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available
for customers who need help with their electric bills. For more
information, visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at
mon-power.com, on X, formerly known as 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 X, formerly known as
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 firstenergycorp.com and on X,
formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections
to enhance service reliability for FirstEnergy's utility customers
are available for download on Flickr. Videos of utility personnel
conducting a thermovision inspection can be found on the company's
YouTube channel.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pre-winter-inspections-and-maintenance-support-safe-and-reliable-power-for-west-virginia-electric-customers-302012873.html
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.