The issue of whether Ohio’s energy efficiency mandates should continue in their current form was the topic of discussion at Senate Public Utilities Committee hearings in Columbus recently. Committee chairman Senator Bill Seitz (R – Celina) convened the proceedings to review energy efficiency mandates that were part of Senate Bill 221, passed in 2008.

On Tuesday, April 9, Executive Vice President and General Counsel Leila Vespoli provided FirstEnergy’s position on the issue.  View Full Testimony.

FirstEnergy has introduced two new, convenient technologies that make it easier for customers of its 10 utility companies in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Maryland to get important information about their electric service on their computer or mobile device.

Customers can now subscribe to receive alert notifications via email or text message that contain information about bills, weather conditions that may impact electrical service, or updates on reported outages. Customers can also use text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts.

To learn more about alerts or text messaging, including registration instructions, visit the communication tools page of our website. Customers may also get started with text messaging by texting REG to 544487.

The alert and text messaging services are the latest additions to the suite of mobile technology recently introduced for customers. Earlier this year, the company launched smartphone apps for Apple^® iPhone^® and Android™ devices, and a mobile website that is accessible by using a smartphone to visit www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers can also view power outages on FirstEnergy's mobile-accessible 24/7 Power Center outage maps or receive information, view photos and watch video on the company's social media accounts.

FirstEnergy has received an Emergency Recovery Award from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in recognition of its outstanding response in restoring power to customers after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of its territory in October 2012.

The hurricane made landfall in late October, impacting the company's electrical infrastructure and knocking out power to 2.3 million FirstEnergy customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. The storm packed severe wind and precipitation that downed thousands of trees, power lines and poles, and produced significant flooding, as well as heavy snowfall in mountainous West Virginia and Maryland.

The Cleveland Browns and FirstEnergy Corp. have announced a long-term partnership in which the team's venue will be called FirstEnergy Stadium. Since it was completed in 1999, the Browns home field has been known as Cleveland Browns Stadium.

As part of the naming rights agreement, FirstEnergy becomes the official energy partner of the Cleveland Browns. In addition, the partnership consists of both interior and exterior stadium signage, use of Browns trademarks, event sponsorships, as well as a full complement of media assets, including TV, radio, print and digital. As a component of this deal, a FirstEnergy Stadium web site will be launched in the near future. As active members of the Northeast Ohio community, both entities will also jointly participate in philanthropic endeavors throughout the region.

Visit our FirstEnergy Stadium: Home of the Cleveland Browns page for more information

A photo gallery from the news conference is availble here