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FirstEnergy Celebrates Planting of 100,000 Trees

In a remarkable demonstration of its commitment to the environment, FirstEnergy Corp., listed on the NYSE as FE, has reached an impressive milestone by planting its 100,000th donated tree. This accomplishment marks a significant moment in the company's sustainability initiatives, coming less than five years after launching its dedicated tree planting program in 2020.

This year alone, FirstEnergy has seen its dedicated Green Teams plant nearly 34,000 trees, vastly surpassing their initial goal of 25,000 trees for 2024. The Green Teams consist of employees from various departments within FirstEnergy who volunteer their time to engage in tree planting and other environmental projects across the company’s service areas, which span six states.

Jessica Shaffer, an Advanced Scientist and Team Lead of FirstEnergy's Green Teams, expressed, "This program began in 2020 with a modest goal of planting 10,000 trees. The incredible success of the past five years is a testament to the commitment of our Green Team volunteers, the love our teams have for their communities, and FirstEnergy's dedication to building a sustainable future."

Starting with just 1,000 trees planted in its inaugural year, the program has rapidly expanded, achieving over 101,000 trees planted at nearly 300 different events across the six-state territory. This year alone, around 650 Green Team volunteers contributed over 3,000 hours of service across approximately 150 tree planting events. Here’s a breakdown of the trees planted in each state so far:

• - Ohio: Over 10,000 trees
• - Pennsylvania: More than 9,000 trees
• - West Virginia: Over 6,700 trees
• - Maryland: More than 5,000 trees
• - New Jersey: Approximately 3,000 trees

Notably, over half of the tree planting events took place in underserved communities where the need for environmental enhancements is critical. These areas are selected based on income levels, access to education, and specific environmental concerns such as proximity to Superfund sites or areas with poor air quality.

The benefits of this tree planting initiative extend beyond environmental improvements; they also contribute to enhancing the local landscapes through shade and greenery that trees provide. FirstEnergy focuses on donating native species of trees and ensures that each planting site is selected with careful consideration to maintain a safe distance from power lines, thus minimizing future maintenance needs. Among the varieties planted are fruit trees, which will supply local schools and non-profits with fresh produce that can be donated to food banks.

Looking ahead, FirstEnergy's Green Teams plan to continue collaborating with various organizations, including state park systems, watershed and recycling groups, garden clubs, and schools. These partnerships will help drive the company's ongoing commitment to fostering a more sustainable future for communities across its service areas.

For additional information about FirstEnergy's environmental initiatives and corporate responsibility efforts, visit fecorporateresponsibility.com. FirstEnergy prides itself on its integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence, serving over six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. Stay updated with FirstEnergy on social media at firstenergycorp.com and follow them on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Additionally, pictures from the various tree planting events organized by FirstEnergy are available for download on Flickr, alongside a video showcasing the impact and significance of their tree planting program, accessible on YouTube.