
This proposal features programs designed to help customers better manage their electricity bills.
AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 31, 2025 — FirstEnergy Corp.’s (NYSE: FE) Ohio electric companies – Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison – have submitted a proposed Electric Security Plan (ESP) to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). This plan demonstrates their commitment to grid investment and maintenance, while also offering customer support programs and energy efficiency initiatives to help customers manage their electricity costs.
Ohio utilities are mandated to file plans ensuring electric service for their customers; this is FirstEnergy’s sixth such plan (ESP6).
Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy’s Ohio President: “This plan, we believe, supports our Ohio electric companies’ continued electric system investments while being mindful of customer costs. We’re dedicated to ensuring a modern, reliable grid through strategic investments and will continue collaborating with stakeholders for a transparent and comprehensive review of our proposal.”
ESP6 allows customers to choose their energy supplier and retains an auction process for pricing and electricity supply for those relying solely on their company for service. Recent auction enhancements designed to encourage supplier participation—keeping costs low for non-shopping customers—remain in place.
The proposed ESP6 term, contingent on new base rate approval, would run from approval through May 31, 2028. ESP6 funds additional electric system investments including grid modernization, maintenance (such as storm restoration and increased tree trimming), energy efficiency programs, and bill assistance, prioritizing customer needs.
- The plan enables continued distribution grid maintenance, including an enhanced tree-trimming program to reduce outages caused by trees and brush.
- Residential energy efficiency programs, such as smart thermostat rebates and a low-income program, are included to promote energy savings, lower bills, and reduce environmental impact. The companies’ demand response program for commercial and industrial customers continues.
- The plan commits $6.5 million annually (without customer recovery) to customer assistance and experience enhancement initiatives, including low-income and senior citizen bill payment assistance.
With ESP6 approval, the average FirstEnergy Ohio residential customer (using 750 kilowatt-hours monthly) could expect an initial bill increase of roughly $3.40 (2.7%). Over the plan’s duration, the estimated average impact is a 1.7% increase.
Ohio Edison serves over 1 million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on X and on Facebook at.
The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on X and on Facebook at .
Toledo Edison serves almost 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on X or on Facebook at .
FirstEnergy prioritizes integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies comprise one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving over six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. Its transmission subsidiaries operate over 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at and on X .
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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