Mon Power, Potomac Edison Receive Federal Funds For Grid

FirstEnergy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison were awarded $50 million though the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships, or GRIP program.

The funding will help make the electricity grid more reliable for customers and enable the electrification of buildings and transportation.

In part, the upgrades aim to reduce the duration of service disruptions due to severe weather.

The program was created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito supported the infrastructure law and the FirstEnergy application for the GRIP funding. Capito is the senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

“West Virginians deserve reliable access to electricity that keeps their lights on and homes warm. Initiatives like this strengthen the reliability of our grid and prevent our residents from experiencing costly interruptions that impact their lives and safety,” she said in a statement.

The funding will also create a four-year apprenticeship program with training centers in Fairmont and Williamsport, Maryland, near Martinsburg.