In 2025, FirstEnergy employees and community partners planted more than 30,000 trees across its six-state service territory, surpassing the company’s annual goal. Since launching its Green Teams initiative in 2020, nearly 800 employee volunteers have contributed over 3,438 hours at 151 events, putting 131,000 trees in the ground and establishing 26 community gardens totaling 113,289 square feet. In Ohio alone, 440 employees planted nearly 14,000 trees at 70 events; Pennsylvania saw more than 6,000 trees planted by 62 volunteers at 16 events; and West Virginia and Maryland hosted 50 events with 227 employees planting over 7,000 trees. For 2026, FirstEnergy has set a goal to plant at least 26,000 native species—red maple, hickory, oak and dogwood—in partnership with nonprofits and local organizations, focusing on shaded neighborhoods, watershed health and fruit production for schools and food banks.

FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company filed a new Default Service Plan with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to govern electricity procurement beginning June 1, 2027. Representing over two million customers under Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power brands, FE PA will continue competitive auctions run by CRA International, Inc., holding three auctions in 2027 and two annually from 2028 through 2031. The plan introduces automatic returns to default service for residential customers when fixed-term contracts expire, quarterly confirmations for month-to-month variable rate plans, and bidding guidelines to ensure supplier prices remain below the utility’s benchmark. Additionally, FE PA will shorten peak hours for its Time-of-Use program to 3–7 p.m., aiming to improve bill stability and transparency in a region where generation supply accounts for roughly 60% of a customer’s bill.

Potomac Edison, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, received Maryland Public Service Commission approval to deploy an $11.1 million pilot program supporting up to 28 zero-emission school buses. The initiative covers the typical $250,000 cost difference per vehicle between diesel and electric models, plus charging infrastructure and electrical upgrades. Launching in early 2026 and running for five years or until funds are exhausted, the program provides full technical and administrative support for site selection, equipment installation and staff training. It will also test vehicle-to-grid technology to assess how bus batteries can feed stored energy back to the grid during emergencies, enhancing reliability for Potomac Edison’s 285,000 customers across seven Maryland counties.