FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) President and Chief Executive Officer Charles E. Jones told shareholders at today’s Annual Meeting that the company has made good progress on a number of its key initiatives, while focusing its efforts on achieving more regulated, customer-centered growth.

Calling 2015 a “productive and pivotal year for FirstEnergy,” Jones cited the company’s achievements including the continued success of a multi-year transmission investment program, solid results from a cash flow improvement initiative, and the launch of a new branding campaign that showcases the company’s environmental commitment.  

A transcript of Jones' prepared remarks can be found here. 

Plan ensures more stable long-term customer rates and preserves key Ohio power plants

FirstEnergy Corp.’s Ohio utilities announced on March 31, 2016, that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved, with certain modifications, Powering Ohio’s Progress, their proposed Electric Security Plan (ESP).  The approved plan is the result of a comprehensive settlement reflecting the diverse interests and concerns of 17 signatories, including the PUCO Staff and parties that represent residential, low-income, commercial and industrial customers, as well as competitive energy suppliers, schools and organized labor.

FirstEnergy has introduced a new branding campaign that demonstrates the company’s commitment to a cleaner energy future. “The Switch is On” campaign highlights FirstEnergy’s environmental achievements, its transition to cleaner energy sources, and a green energy electricity option from FirstEnergy Solutions for residential customers in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“The Switch is On” campaign kicked off on February 7 and will run through July 2016. The campaign includes print advertisements in 17 newspapers and business journals, radio advertisements in 14 markets, and more than 50 billboards in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. In addition, digital advertisements will appear on more than 30 online news outlets as well as to targeted internet users.  

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), announced on December 8, 2015, that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a 20-year license extension for the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio, allowing the unit to operate until 2037.

The NRC's decision to renew Davis-Besse's license comes following extensive safety and environmental reviews, public meetings and comments.  The plant's original license was set to expire on April 22, 2017, and FENOC submitted a license renewal application to the NRC in 2010.  Davis-Besse is the 81st nuclear reactor in the United States to receive a license extension from the NRC.

Davis-Besse is capable of generating 908 megawatts, or enough electricity to power more than one million households.  In addition, plant operations displace more than 7.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide released by more than 1.4 million cars each year.

FirstEnergy has launched a Scam and Fraud Information section on its website to help raise awareness of fraudulent activity and educate utility customers about these threats to their personal safety and security.  The new site, available at www.firstenergycorp.com/scaminfo, describes known scams targeting utility customers, and provides tips and resources to help consumers identify fraudulent schemes.