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Major Electric Service Enhancements for Sustainable Power in Western Pennsylvania

August 18, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the electrification landscape of Western Pennsylvania, specifically in Westmoreland County. A pivotal upgrade has been successfully executed, aimed at bolstering the reliability and resilience of electric service for approximately 2,300 customers of West Penn Power residing in Unity and Hempfield townships.

This extensive initiative, undertaken by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.), constitutes a strategic overhaul of a critical segment of its power grid. The primary objectives of this upgrade are to minimize the frequency of outages, expedite restoration times, and fortify local community growth.

Enhanced Infrastructure for Increased Reliability

The focal point of this upgrade is the installation of a one-mile stretch of more substantial wiring along White School Road, linking the Dry Ridge Fire Station to Sawmill Road. This newly laid infrastructure is engineered to transport greater amounts of electricity, thereby effectively reducing outage occurrences. Furthermore, it is well-equipped to accommodate the rising needs associated with new residential and commercial developments.

Key enhancements also encompassed:

• - Installation of larger wires: This upgrade transitions sections of the line from one or two wires to three, supporting elevated demand while preserving voltage for existing homes and businesses.
• - New utility equipment: A total replacement of ten wooden utility poles, along with 22 crossarms and various transformers, fortifies the grid's operational capacity, ensuring a consistently reliable power supply.
• - Tree trimming operations: Strategic clearance of tree branches near the new pole locations significantly diminishes outage risks associated with inclement weather conditions.
• - Flexible operations through manual switches: The implementation of manual switching capabilities enables repair crews to swiftly isolate issues and redirect power, facilitating quicker restoration during outages and maintenance procedures.

Community Impact

Residents in several housing plans—including Jamell Acres, Glenn-Aire, Mountain Laurel, East High Acres, Country Estates, and Timbercrest—along Route 30, stand to reap the benefits of this vital upgrade. Additionally, around 1,500 customers in the West Point and Eastgate regions of Hempfield Township will also benefit from the enhanced service.

The project commenced in May and has recently reached completion, marking a proactive commitment by FirstEnergy to improve the quality of service in the area.

A Part of a Wider Initiative

This upgrade is not an isolated endeavor; it builds on prior enhancements initiated in 2024 when West Penn Power introduced wildlife guards designed to prevent animals, such as squirrels, from causing outages in heavily wooded areas.

The current upgrades form an integral aspect of the Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP) III, under which FirstEnergy is pledging $368 million to boost electric system reliability across the West Penn Power area. This plan is part of the larger Energize365 initiative, which embodies a staggering $28 billion investment strategy that seeks to modernize the electric grid from 2025 through 2029. The overarching goal of this extensive program is a more intelligent and secure grid ensuring it can meet the demands of present and future consumers.

West Penn Power proudly serves approximately 725,000 customers across 24 counties in central and southwestern Pennsylvania. For continued updates and information, you can follow West Penn Power on X and Facebook.

FirstEnergy remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence through service delivery. Its electric distribution companies constitute one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the United States, extending service to over six million consumers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. FirstEnergy’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission networks connecting the Midwest with the Mid-Atlantic regions.