FirstEnergy wants to make $450 million in grid improvements, and the utility is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to approve an electricity rate increase of up to 2 percent to fund that work, Cleveland.com reports. Doug Colafella, a spokesperson for FirstEnergy, said the utility “will improve power lines that have had extended power outages in the past,” using new technology that “would allow workers to isolate the outages, restore electricity to nearby customers and then repair the affected lines,” according to the article. The increase would be lower in the first year and gradually rise over three years. Improvements are also needed to modernize electrical distribution for “smart grid” capabilities including “smart meters informing customers how much energy they are using throughout the day.” For more, read the full article.
FirstEnergy proposes up to 2 percent rate hike for grid improvements
