Joint Stipulation Demonstrates Broad Support from Diverse Parties

FirstEnergy Corp.'s Ohio utilities filed a joint stipulation agreement on December 22, 2014, demonstrating broad support for Powering Ohio's Progress, their proposed Electric Security Plan (ESP) currently pending before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

The proposed stipulation reflects the diverse interests and concerns of 15 signatories, including parties that represent residential, commercial, industrial and low-income customers, as well as organized labor and schools.  The agreement supports FirstEnergy's proposed ESP that outlines plans for its Ohio utilities – Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison – to provide electric service to customers for a three-year period from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2019. 

On December 16, 2014, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced that its Board of Directors elected Anthony J. Alexander, 63, executive chairman of the company, effective January 1, 2015.  He will be succeeded as president and chief executive officer by Charles E. Jones, 59, who also was elected to the company's Board of Directors. Jones most recently served as executive vice president and president, FirstEnergy Utilities.  George M. Smart, currently chairman of the FirstEnergy Board of Directors, will be lead independent director during the transition period.

FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison announce on November 3, 2014, the filing of a settlement agreement with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia.  The agreement was reached with the PSC staff, the state's Consumer Advocate Division, the West Virginia Energy Users Group and Wal-Mart.

The settlement agreement includes recovery of expenses associated with storm repairs from the 2012 Derecho and Hurricane Sandy, increased operating and environmental compliance investments at coal-fired power plants, and service reliability enhancements to the distribution system, including a more extensive tree trimming program to help limit power outages.

Training Program for Future Utility Workers

FirstEnergy Corp.'s award-winning Power Systems Institute (PSI) is being reinstated as the company looks to train the next generation of utility line and substation workers. 

PSI is a two-year program that combines hands-on utility skills with technical coursework.  Program graduates will earn an Associate of Technical Studies degree with a focus on electric power utility technology. 

FirstEnergy originally introduced PSI in 2000 as a way to help replace retiring line workers.  Programs were established at colleges throughout the company's six-state service area.  With the economic downturn, in 2011 most of the PSI programs were placed on hold because projected hiring needs did not support bringing in new students.  As future workforce needs at FirstEnergy were re-evaluated, the decision was made to reinstate the PSI program, targeting a fall of 2015 enrollment class.

For more information, including a list of partner colleges, visit FirstEnergy's PSI page at www.firstenergycorp.com/psi.