Potomac Edison Installs New Substation Fencing to Prevent Animal Intrusions

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has installed new interior fencing at the Thomas Street substation in Cumberland, Maryland, to reduce outages caused by animal intrusions. This 433-foot perimeter fencing targets climbing animals including squirrels and raccoons, preventing access to electrical equipment. Since 2014, Potomac Edison has installed similar fencing at 17 substations, resulting in a significant reduction in animal-related outages. The Cumberland substation serves nearly 3,800 customers, emphasizing the importance of this proactive measure to enhance service reliability.

Positive

• Installation of new fencing is an economical solution to reduce outage costs caused by animal intrusions.
• Significant reduction in substation outages since the implementation of fencing at 17 locations since 2014.
• Enhances service reliability for nearly 3,800 customers at the Cumberland substation.

Negative

• None.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Nov. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has installed new interior fencing at an Allegany County substation to help deter climbing animals and protect against electrical equipment interference that can cause power outages. The fencing was installed at the Thomas Street substation in Cumberland, around the 433-foot perimeter of the equipment, to help keep electricity safely flowing to customers while keeping animals out of harm's way. 

Next to weather-related damage, animal intrusions are the most common cause of substation outages. Unlike other types of animal traps and deterrents, the special fencing installed by Potomac Edison prevents a wide range of climbing animals – including squirrels, raccoons, opossums, cats, frogs and others – from accessing the substation equipment and discourages them from trying again. Squirrels and other climbing animals have a highly developed memory that enables them to remember locations for food, warmth and shelter. With one brief contact with a fence panel, animals learn that a substation is not a welcoming location to visit and typically avoid it in the future.

"Equipment interference from an animal intrusion can cost thousands of dollars in damage and require hundreds of labor hours to repair as well as causing extended outages for customers," said James A. Sears, Jr., president of FirstEnergy's Maryland operations. "This special fencing is an economical solution to prevent these types of service disruptions in the future."

The Cumberland substation serves nearly 3,800 customers in Allegany County. Potomac Edison has installed this special fencing at 17 substations across its service territory since 2014 and has seen a sharp decline in substation outages due to animals as a result. The company reviews outage patterns across its footprint to determine the best locations for interior substation fencing.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to 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 24,500 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.

FAQ

What recent improvement has Potomac Edison made at the Thomas Street substation?

Potomac Edison has installed new interior fencing to deter animal intrusions and prevent power outages.

How does the new fencing benefit FirstEnergy Corp. and its customers?

The fencing helps reduce outage costs and enhances service reliability for customers in Allegany County.

How many substations have received new fencing since 2014?

Since 2014, Potomac Edison has installed this special fencing at 17 substations across its service territory.

How many customers does the Cumberland substation serve?

The Cumberland substation serves nearly 3,800 customers.

What is the purpose of the special fencing installed by Potomac Edison?

The fencing is designed to prevent climbing animals from accessing substation equipment and causing service disruptions.