#United States #FirstEnergy #Mon Power #Potomac Edison #Fairmont, West Virginia

Overview of Proposed Rate Adjustments

On May 18, 2026, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., formally requested the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to review and adjust their electricity rates. This move is aimed at allowing the companies to continue investing in a reliable and safe electric system, particularly to enhance resilience against severe weather disruptions that have been increasingly common.

These proposals emphasize maintaining low residential rates while ensuring necessary infrastructure improvements. Mon Power is operational in 34 counties, serving approximately 395,000 customers, while Potomac Edison caters to about 155,000 customers in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle region.

Details of the Rate Review Proposal

Two Approaches

The filing presents two primary options:
1. Inflation-Based Adjustment: This approach would implement smaller, incremental increases over time instead of a single, substantial hike. This method aims to offer more predictability in billing for consumers.
2. Base Rate Adjustment: This traditional method would rely on a one-time increase based on previously completed infrastructure work that has established a more reliable electric delivery system.

Both plans propose enhancements in reliability and future investments in infrastructure. Notably, customers would still benefit from the lowest residential rates available among the regulated electric utilities in the state.

Infrastructure Improvements Highlighted

The recent upgrades that justify the proposed rate adjustments include:

• - A 43.8% reduction in the length of outages linked to high-voltage transmission systems, showcasing substantial improvement in reliability.
• - Key equipment enhancements at both Fort Martin and Harrison power plants, ensuring continued safety and dependability in power generation.
• - Modernized poles, power lines, and equipment, designed to withstand severe storms more effectively.

These upgrades not only improve service but also help decrease outage duration, directly addressing customer concerns about reliability.

Customer Impact on Rates

• - Inflation-Based Approach: Mon Power and Potomac Edison seek to implement a $76 million adjustment, assessing annual adjustments of $38 million, anticipated to increase average residential monthly bills by approximately 3% in August 2026 and 2.9% in June 2027.
• - Base Rate Adjustment Option: They propose an alternative adjustment totaling $188 million, aiming at further reliability and infrastructure efforts. The expected increase under this option is significantly larger, resulting in a monthly bill rise of about 13.9% for average residential customers.

Each option mandates a review and approval by the Public Service Commission, intended to verify that proposed changes align with customer interests and address reliability enhancements.

Commitment to Cost Management and Reliability

FirstEnergy representatives have conveyed that their strategic focus remains on managing costs wisely while making significant investments that directly benefit their customers. The rate adjustments not only aim to enhance service levels but also keep costs in line with customer expectations.

Chris Beam, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia and Maryland operations, stated, "Our customers rely on our power every day, particularly during adverse weather conditions. This rate review enables us to enhance an aging system, making it more resilient while also being attentive to cost concerns."

Conclusion

Mon Power and Potomac Edison continue to demonstrate their commitment to delivering reliable electricity while navigating economic pressures and investing in a modernized system. The decisions on these proposals will significantly impact West Virginia consumers, and the ongoing state oversight through the Public Service Commission ensures accountability.

For more information on these utility proposals, customers can follow updates on their respective websites and social media platforms.