FirstEnergy Crews Restoring Power to Customers Amid Continued Winter Storm

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) experienced a significant power outage affecting more than 310,000 customers due to severe weather conditions. Service has been restored to over 247,000 customers, with ongoing efforts to repair damages and restore power to the remaining customers.

Insights

Energy Sector Analyst

The recent power outages affecting over 310,000 FirstEnergy customers due to severe weather conditions underscore the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to natural events. This situation has immediate operational implications, including increased costs related to emergency repairs and overtime labor. Additionally, the company's response efficiency and effectiveness can impact customer satisfaction and potentially regulatory scrutiny.

From a financial perspective, such widespread outages likely necessitate significant capital deployment for repairs and could lead to revenue loss due to service interruptions. Investors should monitor FirstEnergy's forthcoming quarterly reports for any material impacts on earnings or increased capital expenditure guidance. Furthermore, these events may catalyze discussions around infrastructure investment, potentially leading to long-term strategic shifts within the company and the broader industry.

Risk Management Expert

FirstEnergy's handling of the storm's aftermath could serve as a case study for risk management within utility companies. Effective risk management strategies are crucial for minimizing the impact of unforeseen events. The extent of the damage, including broken poles and downed power lines, highlights the importance of robust infrastructure and the potential benefits of investing in preventative measures, such as burying power lines or reinforcing poles.

For stakeholders, the long-term benefits of such investments include potentially lower costs associated with disaster response, reduced service interruption durations and improved reliability. However, the costs of these measures must be weighed against their potential to mitigate risk and the regulatory environment that could influence cost recovery through rates.

Customer Relations Specialist

In the wake of the power outages, FirstEnergy's customer relations approach is pivotal. Proactive communication, such as outage reporting options and real-time updates, can mitigate negative sentiment and foster customer loyalty. The company's ability to meet its restoration commitments will be closely watched by customers and regulators alike, as it reflects on the company's operational competency and crisis management.

While the immediate customer impact is clear—loss of electricity and the associated inconveniences—long-term implications may include changes in customer expectations and increased demand for utility companies to invest in more resilient infrastructure. This event could potentially lead to a shift in how utilities engage with their customer base, emphasizing transparency and preparedness in their service models.

High winds, heavy rain, ice and snow combine to knock out electric service to more than 310,000 FirstEnergy customers

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Service has been restored to more than 247,000 of the approximately 310,000 FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) customers who lost power due to strong winds, heavy rain, ice and snow that began impacting the entire eastern half of the country on Tuesday.

The powerful winter storm system brought strong winds exceeding 60 mph in parts of Ohio and western Pennsylvania, along with rainfall exceeding two inches in parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Areas of West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania also saw accumulating ice and snow early yesterday. Gusty conditions accompanied by snow squalls are expected to continue through this evening, with flooding expected in parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey that experienced the highest rain totals.

The tree- and flood-related damage is widespread, consisting of hundreds of broken poles and crossarms, downed power lines, and fallen trees and debris blocking road access. Our primary focus at this stage is to remove any hazards and assess the damage so that our crews can access the site of an outage and begin to safely make the repairs. Due to the extent of damage and continued inclement weather, restoration work is expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

All internal line crews, hazard responders, forestry crews, contractors, safety and other support personnel are involved in storm response, and significant additional outside resources have deployed to assist with the restoration effort. Though downed trees, localized flooding and road closures can slow progress, crews will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and ensure service to all customers has been restored.

Current outage updates as of 10 a.m. today include:

• The Illuminating Company: Approximately 32,200 customers in northeast Ohio lost power due to the storms, and 2,500 customers remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11.
• Ohio Edison: Approximately 19,900 customers in northern, eastern and central Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 800 remain without service. Power is expected to be restored to Ohio Edison customers impacted by yesterday's weather this morning.
• Penn Power: Approximately 3,600 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 430 remain without service. The hardest hit area was Mercer County. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. today.
• Penelec: Approximately 77,400 customers in northern and central Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 16,300 remain without service. Work will continue to restore power to many customers throughout the day today, with restoration expected for customers in the Oil City and Meadville areas by 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. Restoration in the hardest hit area of Erie County is expected by 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13.
• West Penn Power: Approximately 37,000 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 5,900 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.
• Met-Ed: Approximately 22,900 customers in eastern Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 6,700 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11.
• Mon Power: Approximately 22,000 customers in West Virginia lost power due to the storm, and 6,700 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. today.
• Potomac Edison: Approximately 9,000 customers in the West Virginia panhandle and Maryland lost power due to the storm, and 1,950 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. this evening.
• JCP&L: Approximately 85,100 customers in New Jersey lost power due to the storm, and 25,600 remain without service. Hardest hit areas include Hunterdon Sussex and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey, and Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties in central New Jersey. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11.

How to Report Power Outages and Downed Lines

Customers who have experienced a service interruption due to the storm are encouraged to report their outage if they have not already done so by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487) or clicking the "Outages" link on firstenergycorp.com.

FirstEnergy customers can sign up to receive email and text message alert notifications for updates after they've reported a power outage. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communication tools is available at firstenergycorp.com/connect.

The high winds have brought down trees and branches onto power lines. Customers should assume all downed or low-hanging power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and use extra caution where downed lines are tangled in trees or other debris. Report downed lines ASAP by calling 911.

For updated information on the company's current outages, the company's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center at firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Operate Backup Generators Safely

Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. To ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of electric company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician.

When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the power lines, creating a hazardous situation for company workers. Locate the generator outside of your home and far away from windows, doors and vents. Never locate a generator inside your home.

View additional generator safety information.

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. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How many FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) customers were affected by the power outage?

More than 310,000 FirstEnergy customers were affected by the power outage.

How many customers have had their service restored?

Service has been restored to more than 247,000 customers.

How can FirstEnergy customers report power outages and downed lines?

Customers can report outages by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487), or clicking the 'Outages' link on firstenergycorp.com.

What are the expected restoration times for the remaining customers without service?

The expected restoration times vary by region, with the majority of customers expected to have power restored within the next few days.

What additional communication methods are available for FirstEnergy customers?

FirstEnergy customers can sign up to receive email and text message alert notifications for updates after reporting a power outage. They can also use two-way text messaging to report outages and request updates on restoration efforts.