FirstEnergy Corp. Announces Transmission Grid Upgrade

November 21, 2013

Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp. announced Nov. 12 a multibillion-dollar effort to overhaul and expand its electrical transmission network, ensuring reliable service and enhanced capacity to meet the demands of a growing economy.

Helping make this happen is the IBEW. The company estimates that more than a 1,000 linemen and journeymen wiremen will be needed over the next three years.

“FirstEnergy’s commitment to modernizing and expanding their facilities and transmission system is vital for America’s economic future,” said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill. “And by partnering with the IBEW, they are making sure that the job will be done by the best-trained, most highly-skilled electrical work force in the country. It’s a win for good jobs and a win for our energy future.”

Most of the work will be in Ohio and Pennsylvania. FirstEnergy is the parent company of Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Toledo Edison and Penn Power.

America’s energy infrastructure is in need of a major renovation, with more than half of all transmission systems 30 years or older. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the electrical grid and distribution network a grade of D+, saying that current levels of investment aren’t enough to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century.

Under FirstEnergy’s plan, more than 70,000 towers and 170 substations will either be rebuilt or upgraded.

Most of the initial construction, scheduled to start next year, will be in Northern Ohio, but is expected to be expanded into other FirstEnergy service areas in the near future.

Clickherefor updates on the project.

Photo credit: FirstEnergy Corp.