FirstEnergy Ohio Utilities File Three-Year Rate Plan to Improve Reliability and Customer Support
FirstEnergy Ohio Utilities File Three-Year Rate Plan to Improve Reliability and Customer Support
AKRON, Ohio — FirstEnergy’s Ohio electric companies have filed their first Three-Year Rate Plan with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, outlining proposed investments aimed at strengthening electric reliability, improving grid performance, and expanding customer assistance programs. The filing was submitted by Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison.
Plan Focuses on Reliability and Predictable Bills
The proposed Three-Year Rate Plan, also called TYRP, is designed to give customers and regulators a clearer view of how electric system investments will be planned, reviewed, and reported each year. According to the company, the plan would help spread costs over time instead of creating sudden bill changes for households and businesses.
FirstEnergy said the plan supports long-term work to modernize Ohio’s electric distribution network. This includes upgrades to poles, wires, neighborhood equipment, and grid technology that can help reduce outages and restore power faster after storms or equipment failures.
$800 Million Per Year Proposed for Infrastructure
Under the filing, FirstEnergy’s Ohio companies propose investing an average of $800 million per year in electric infrastructure improvements. These investments would target reliability projects across communities served by Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison.
The plan also includes an average of $83 million annually for tree trimming and vegetation management. FirstEnergy said this work is important because trees and overgrown vegetation are among the leading causes of electric outages in Ohio.
Expanded Support for Customers Facing Bill Challenges
A major part of the proposal focuses on customer assistance. The filing includes plans to create a new $4 million Energy Assistance Fund in 2029 by combining existing fuel fund programs and expanding eligibility to more customers. FirstEnergy said the cost of these assistance programs would not be passed on to customers.
The company also proposed adding a $1 million Emergency Energy Support Fund to help customers who may be facing disconnection or who need help restoring electric service.
Energy-Saving Programs Would Continue
The plan would continue several energy-saving programs for residential customers and some business customers. These include weatherization support through Community Connections, smart thermostat rebates for income-eligible customers, energy management tools for customers with smart meters, and conservation programs for larger customers during high-demand periods.
Expected Monthly Bill Impact
For a typical non-shopping residential customer using about 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, FirstEnergy estimates the average annual monthly bill increase would be $4.26 for Ohio Edison customers, $5.15 for The Illuminating Company customers, and $5.30 for Toledo Edison customers during each year of the three-year period.
The company emphasized that the proposal affects only the distribution portion of customer bills. It does not include electricity supply costs, which are set by third-party suppliers.
PUCO Review and Public Input
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will review the filing before making a decision. The process is expected to include opportunities for public input, giving customers and stakeholders a chance to comment on the proposal.
Company Background
FirstEnergy serves about six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. Its transmission subsidiaries operate around 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Overall, the filing shows FirstEnergy’s effort to balance infrastructure investment, service reliability, customer bill predictability, and expanded support for customers who need help managing energy costs.
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