On July 15, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit held at Carnegie Mellon University, FirstEnergy Corp. Board Chair, President and CEO, Brian X. Tierney, delivered a significant address. The summit, hosted by Senator David McCormick, brought together government officials, global investors, and key stakeholders in energy, technology, labor, and trade, spotlighting the pressing need for a modernized energy grid.
In his address, Tierney outlined FirstEnergy's strategic vision for a future-ready energy infrastructure to support the evolving demands of electricity due to factors like economic development and advances in artificial intelligence. He stated, "The electric landscape – in Pennsylvania and across the country – is evolving rapidly as these pressures drive electricity demand upwards." Meeting this burgeoning demand requires enhanced energy sources and robust transmission infrastructures, he noted.
With a firm commitment to strengthening its energy footprint, FirstEnergy is set to invest over $28 billion capital systemwide through 2029. Of this investment, $15 billion is earmarked for upgrading infrastructure in Pennsylvania alone. This includes advancements in people, processes, and facilities that are crucial for delivering safe, reliable power to communities.
Moreover, Tierney announced the addition of over 40 journey-level hires and apprentices to the Pennsylvania team this year. This initiative aims not only to strengthen the workforce but also to provide meaningful, long-term career opportunities in a sector experiencing rapid growth. "By investing in a smarter, stronger grid and a dedicated workforce, FirstEnergy isn't just keeping pace with change – we are helping lead it," he emphasized.
Planned Investments and Innovations
At the forefront of FirstEnergy's transformative strategy is Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program designed to create a more intelligent and secure grid. Key investments made under this initiative include:
- - Automated technology for rapid outage detection and resolution, significantly reducing downtime for customers.
- - Enhanced transmission lines to support increased power capacity, ensuring reliable service during peak demand periods.
- - Implementation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology for real-time monitoring, which will help in managing electric conditions more effectively.
- - Upgrades to substations to boost flexibility and capacity, allowing for better responsiveness to changing energy needs.
These advancements mark a crucial step toward a future-ready grid that can accommodate the demands of evolving technologies and economic growth. Tierney’s remarks portray FirstEnergy as a proactive player in the energy sector, contributing to job creation, innovation, and resilience through thoughtful capital investments.
FirstEnergy is a major player in the electric distribution landscape, serving over 6 million customers across several states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company's comprehensive transmission network connects roughly 24,000 miles of power lines across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, reinforcing their commitment to energy reliability and operational excellence.
For more on the innovations driven by Energize365 and FirstEnergy's dedication to modernizing its electric systems, visit FirstEnergy's official website at www.firstenergycorp.com. With a focus on integrity, safety, and customer satisfaction, FirstEnergy continues to pave the way toward a sustainable energy future for its customers and communities.