Work Underway to Strengthen Electric Grid in York County

Core Insights - FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (Met-Ed) is upgrading its energy delivery system in northwestern York County to enhance service reliability and minimize outages for approximately 300 customers, particularly during extreme weather conditions [1][2]. Project Details - The project involves replacing over a mile of older copper wire with larger-diameter aluminum wire, which can transport more electricity and meet the growing electrical needs of the Dillsburg area [2]. - The upgrade includes replacing 1.3 miles of wire, 32 wooden poles, numerous crossarms, 40 fuses, and 149 porcelain insulators along a 13.2-kilovolt power line [3]. - Additionally, 49 wildlife guards are being installed to prevent animals from causing equipment damage and power outages [4]. Strategic Initiatives - This project is part of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania's Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP III), which has a budget of $382 million aimed at accelerating capital investments in the Met-Ed electric distribution system over five years [5]. - LTIIP III is integrated into the Energize365 program, which plans to invest $28 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance the grid's reliability and accommodate future energy demands, including electric vehicles and clean energy sources [6]. Customer Base - Met-Ed serves approximately 592,000 customers across 3,300 square miles in eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania [7].