The utility company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., plans to channel these funds into aging infrastructure and grid modernization. Projects include installing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology to provide real-time system visibility, alongside the deployment of substation reclosers and expanded circuit automation. Crews will also prioritize clearing high-risk trees near power lines to mitigate damage during severe weather events.

Chris Beam, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia and Maryland operations, acknowledged the financial impact on households while defending the necessity of the upgrades. The Maryland Public Service Commission must now evaluate the proposal, a process that includes public hearings to assess the long-term benefits versus the immediate cost to the 295,000 customers served across seven Maryland counties.