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West Penn Power's 2019 Tree Trimming Program Underway


GREENSBURG, Pa., April 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), continues to conduct tree trimming work in communities across its 24-county Pennsylvania service area as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance service reliability.  This work helps keep power flowing to customers around the clock by preventing tree-related outages.

West Penn Power Logo (PRNewsfoto/FirstEnergy Corp.)

Maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment can reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, especially those associated with severe weather such as February's widespread wind storm.  Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed more than 600 circuit miles of electric lines in the West Penn Power service area as part of the $43 million vegetation management program for 2019, with an additional 4,100 miles expected to be completed by year end. 

"Our tree trimming is making a positive difference in keeping the lights on for our customers and more quickly restoring service in the wake of severe weather," said John Rea, recently named regional president of West Penn Power.  "In 2018, we experienced 16 percent fewer tree-related customer interruptions than in the previous year. We also continue to proactively remove tens of thousands of deteriorated ash trees bordering our electric distribution lines that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer."

West Penn Power's tree program in 2019 includes about $6 million to remove more than 34,000 dead and dying ash trees along distribution lines in western Pennsylvania.  As of late March, more than 4,000 ash trees had been removed.

During the upcoming months, West Penn Power will be conducting tree trimming work in the following counties and communities:

Tree trimming is done on a five-year cycle.  The program includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities.  Trees that present a danger or are diseased also may be removed. 

As part of its notification process, West Penn Power works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules.  In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.  

The vegetation management work is conducted by qualified line clearance arborists under the company's direction, including Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Jaflo Inc., Lewis Tree Service Inc., Penn Line Service Inc., Davey Tree Expert Company, and Townsend Tree.

West Penn Power serves about 720,000 customers in 24 Pennsylvania counties.  Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.  The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's Note:  Photos of workers using bucket trucks to trim trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.


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