FirstEnergy and JCP&L Light Up Holiday Smiles with Lighting Display

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) have initiated the 'Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy' program, donating a holiday light display to Pemberton Township, NJ. The public lighting ceremony will occur on Dec. 2, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. This initiative aims to brighten the holidays for economically distressed communities served by JCP&L. Pemberton Township faces limitations on development due to environmental regulations but is recognized for its diversity and military community.

Positive

• FirstEnergy’s donation of a holiday light display fosters community engagement.
• The initiative supports economically distressed areas, enhancing corporate social responsibility.

Negative

• None.

Donated lights to be on display in Pemberton Township

HOLMDEL, N.J., Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and its subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) will brighten Pemberton Township with a professionally designed light display as part of the second-annual "Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy" program. The initiative is helping make the season brighter and merrier with the gift of holiday lights for three deserving communities across FirstEnergy's service areas in New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia.

The display, donated by FirstEnergy Corp., will light up Reflections Park at the intersection of South Lakeshore Drive and Lakehurst Road, adjacent to the Mirror Lake Dam. A public lighting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., with the display expected to switch on at approximately 7:15 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment will help jump start the holiday spirit.

To qualify for the "Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy" program, municipalities need to be served by JCP&L and eligible for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's Emerge Program, which includes government-restricted, economically distressed and qualified opportunity zone communities.

"Pemberton Township is a vibrant, strong community with a commitment to diversity and environmental consciousness that represents what makes New Jersey a beautiful state in which to live and work," said James Fakult, president of New Jersey operations for FirstEnergy. "JCP&L and FirstEnergy are honored to recognize this town through the 'Light Up Holiday Smiles' program and bring the joy and togetherness of the holiday season to its residents, including the many active duty and retired military families that call Pemberton home."

Pemberton Township, located in Burlington County, is the home of the Fort Dix campus of Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst, and faces unique challenges. Of the 40,000 acres that comprise the community, one-quarter are state parkland, and another 5,000 acres are owned by the county and Joint Base, limiting taxable land. The New Jersey Pinelands Commission also has jurisdiction over 91% of the township, requiring increased buffers and strict building regulations that protect the local environment but further limit development.  

In addition to the many military members and families that live in the town, Pemberton is more diverse than the average community in the state, with approximately 46% of its population comprised of Black, Hispanic, Asian and mixed-race residents, according to township and Census data.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

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 on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is FirstEnergy's new initiative for the holiday season in 2022?

FirstEnergy and JCP&L launched the 'Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy' program to donate holiday light displays to communities like Pemberton Township.

When will the holiday light display in Pemberton Township be lit?

The holiday light display will be lit during a public ceremony on December 2, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m.

How does Pemberton Township qualify for the 'Light Up Holiday Smiles' program?

Municipalities must be served by JCP&L and qualify for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's Emerge Program to participate.

What communities are included in FirstEnergy's holiday lights program?

The program includes communities across New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia.

What challenges does Pemberton Township face regarding development?

Pemberton Township has limited taxable land due to environmental regulations and state parkland ownership.