History of FirstEnergy in Timeline

FirstEnergy Corp. is an electric utility company based in Akron, Ohio, formed in 1997 through the merger of Ohio Edison and Centerior Energy. As one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the U.S., it serves 6 million customers across seven states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, covering a 65,000-square-mile area. The company's operations include electricity distribution, transmission, generation, and energy management services. FirstEnergy controls over 16,000 megawatts of generating capacity and maintains over 194,000 miles of distribution lines. In 2018, FirstEnergy was ranked 219 on the Fortune 500.

1930: Ohio Edison Company formed

In 1930, the Ohio Edison Company was formed with the consolidation of 200 electric companies.

1935: Public Utility Holding Company Act enacted

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 made it difficult for utilities to operate across state lines. In 1989, Standley H. Hoch, the CEO of GPU, made it one of his main goals to fight and repeal the Act.

1950: Ohio Edison Company becomes a holding company

By 1950, Ohio Edison ended up with two utility operating companies, Pennsylvania Power and Ohio Edison.

1974: Start of Waste Piping to Little Blue Run Lake

Since 1974, FirstEnergy had piped coal ash waste slurry from its Bruce Mansfield Power Plant to the Little Blue Run Lake.

1986: Centerior Energy Corporation formed

In 1986, Centerior Energy Corporation was formed from the affiliation of two public utilities.

1986: UtiliCorp purchases Virginia Electric and Power Company's West Virginia service area

In 1986, UtiliCorp purchased Virginia Electric and Power Company's (present day Dominion Resources) West Virginia service area and renamed the acquired service area as West Virginia Power.

1989: Standley H. Hoch becomes CEO of GPU

In 1989, Standley H. Hoch, a former executive with General Dynamics, became the CEO of GPU with goals to cut costs and fight to repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

1996: Allegheny Power System used the brand name Allegheny Power

In 1996, Allegheny Power System used the Allegheny Power brand name on customer bills, trucks, and company equipment.

1996: GPU creates MYR Group as a publicly traded company

In 1996, GPU created MYR Group as a publicly traded company. MYR Group's services included installing and maintaining utility power lines and cellular telephone communications towers.

1996: General Public Utilities reorganized and renamed GPU, Inc.

In 1996, General Public Utilities was reorganized and renamed GPU, Inc. It also formed a new division, GPU Energy, which became the holding company for GPU's three utility operating companies.

August 8, 1997: FirstEnergy Services Corp. incorporated

On August 8, 1997, FirstEnergy Services Corp. was incorporated to provide intracompany services.

November 7, 1997: FirstEnergy formed through Ohio Edison acquisition of Centerior Energy

On November 7, 1997, FirstEnergy was formed when Ohio Edison acquired Centerior Energy and its subsidiaries for $1.6 billion in stock, with plans for restructuring and layoffs to cut costs.

1997: Attempted merger between Allegheny Power and Duquesne Light Company

In 1997, Allegheny Power attempted to merge with Pittsburgh-based Duquesne Light Company, but the merger was withdrawn by both parties.

1997: Centerior Energy merges with Ohio Edison to form FirstEnergy

In 1997, Centerior's merger with Ohio Edison formed FirstEnergy.

1997: Ohio Edison merged with Centerior Energy

In 1997, Ohio Edison merged with Centerior Energy, establishing FirstEnergy Corp.

1997: Ohio Edison merges with Centerior to form FirstEnergy

In 1997, Ohio Edison's merger with Centerior formed FirstEnergy.

March 31, 1998: First merger of FirstEnergy Services Corp.

On March 31, 1998, FirstEnergy Services Corp. underwent its first filed merger.

1999: Allegheny Power purchases West Virginia operations of UtiliCorp United's West Virginia Power

In 1999, Allegheny Power purchased the West Virginia operations of UtiliCorp United's West Virginia Power.

September 1, 2001: FirstEnergy Services Corp. becomes FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.

On September 1, 2001, FirstEnergy Services Corp. became FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.

2001: FirstEnergy Merged With GPU, Inc.

In 2001, FirstEnergy merged with GPU, Inc., the owner of Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), and Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed).

2001: FirstEnergy acquires MYR Group through GPU acquisition

In 2001, through the acquisition of GPU, FirstEnergy acquired MYR Group, a subsidiary that GPU had created in 1996. MYR Group's services included installing and maintaining utility power lines and cellular telephone communications towers.

2008: EPA Lawsuit Settlement

In 2008, FirstEnergy was required to pay US$1.5 billion by 2011 as part of a settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

2008: Ohio Lawmakers Mandate Energy Efficiency

In 2008, Ohio lawmakers mandated energy efficiency after agreeing with then-Gov. Ted Strickland to pass a law requiring electric utilities to help customers use less electricity every year.

November 2009: Purchase of Compressed Air Electric Generating Plant Rights

In November 2009, FirstEnergy purchased the rights to develop a compressed air electric generating plant in Norton, Ohio. This project, part of the company's climate change strategy, had the potential to be expanded to up to 2,700 MW of capacity.

2009: Energy Use Baseline

In 2009, the baseline for reduced energy use was established as part of the Ohio law mandating energy efficiency. The goal was to reduce use to 22 percent less by 2025 than they did in 2009.

February 2010: Allegheny Energy announces plans to merge with FirstEnergy

In February 2010, Allegheny Energy announced plans to merge with FirstEnergy. The merger was approved by stockholders and regulatory commissions.

2010: Completion of Fremont Energy Center

By the end of 2010, FirstEnergy decided to complete construction on the Fremont Energy Center, a 707 MW peaking plant powered by natural gas.

February 24, 2011: Merger of Allegheny Energy and FirstEnergy approved by Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission

On February 24, 2011, the merger of Allegheny Energy and FirstEnergy was approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, finalizing the merger.

February 25, 2011: Merger between Allegheny Energy and FirstEnergy officially closed

On February 25, 2011, the merger between Allegheny Energy and FirstEnergy officially closed.

2011: Settlement Payment Deadline

By 2011, FirstEnergy was required to pay US$1.5 billion as part of a settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This settlement addressed allegations of failure to install pollution control equipment during upgrades of coal-burning plants.

2011: FirstEnergy merges with Allegheny Energy

In 2011, FirstEnergy merged with Allegheny Energy, based in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

July 2012: Consent Decree for Little Blue Run Lake

In July 2012, a consent decree from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection forced FirstEnergy to close the Little Blue Run Lake, an unlined waste impoundment.

November 29, 2012: Lobbying Campaign Abandoned

As of November 29, 2012, FirstEnergy Corp. abandoned its behind-the-scene lobbying campaign to persuade lawmakers to gut a four-year-old law requiring utilities to help customers use less electricity.

2013: FirstEnergy enters naming rights deal with the Cleveland Browns

In 2013, FirstEnergy entered a naming rights deal with the Cleveland Browns for FirstEnergy Stadium.

2015: Charles E. Jones Appointed CEO

From 2015, Charles E. Jones was the president and chief executive officer of FirstEnergy Corp. until his termination on October 29, 2020.

November 2016: FirstEnergy announces intent to exit competitive businesses

In November 2016, FirstEnergy announced its intent to exit the competitive businesses while staying in the regulated businesses and also to become a fully regulated company during the following 18 months.

November 2016: FirstEnergy to exit competitive power business

In November 2016, FirstEnergy decided to exit the competitive power business and transition into a fully regulated company.

2016: Deadline to Stop Dumping Coal Ash

Per the July 2012 consent decree, FirstEnergy must stop dumping coal ash at the Little Blue Run Lake site by 2016.

August 2017: Murray Energy CEO warns of FirstEnergy Solutions bankruptcy

In August 2017, Robert E. Murray, CEO of Murray Energy, warned that FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. was in danger of bankruptcy if the White House would not issue an emergency order to open coal-fired plants.

2017: FirstEnergy ranked among the top greenhouse polluters

A 2017 report conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst placed FirstEnergy 9 out of the top 100 of the country's largest greenhouse polluters.

February 2018: FirstEnergy announces plans to deactivate or sell Pleasants Power Station

In February 2018, FirstEnergy announced plans to deactivate or sell Pleasants Power Station in West Virginia.

March 2018: FirstEnergy announced the closure of nuclear power stations

In March 2018, FirstEnergy announced the closure of Perry Nuclear Generating Station and Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station, both in Ohio and the closure of Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station in Pennsylvania.

March 31, 2018: FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. files for bankruptcy

On March 31, 2018, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. filed for bankruptcy. The case has potential implications for the U.S. power sector.

August 2018: FirstEnergy announced the closure of coal-fired plants

In August 2018, FirstEnergy announced the closure of two coal-fired plants, the W.H. Sammis Power Plant in Stratton, Ohio and the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant in Shippingport, Pennsylvania by June 2022.

2018: FirstEnergy ranked 219 on the Fortune 500 list

In 2018, FirstEnergy was ranked 219 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest public corporations in the United States by revenue.

July 2019: Ohio law subsidizes Perry and Davis–Besse nuclear plants

In July 2019, the closure of the Perry, Davis–Besse, and Sammis plants were rescinded when the State of Ohio passed and signed into law a subsidy to support the Perry and Davis–Besse nuclear plants.

October 14, 2019: FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. filed its eighth amended bankruptcy plan

On October 14, 2019, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. filed its eighth amended bankruptcy plan.

March 2020: FirstEnergy suspends power shutoffs due to COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, FirstEnergy stopped power shutoffs and restored connections for those whose power had been terminated because of non-payment. They also offered assistance programs to customers facing hardship.

July 21, 2020: Larry Householder accused of accepting bribes from FirstEnergy

On July 21, 2020, Larry Householder, along with others, was accused of accepting $60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy in exchange for $1.3 billion worth of benefits related to Ohio House Bill 6, leading to the Ohio nuclear bribery scandal.

October 29, 2020: FirstEnergy announces leadership transition

On October 29, 2020, FirstEnergy announced a leadership transition, including the termination of the company's Chief Executive Officer, Charles E. Jones, effective immediately, due to violations of company policies and code of conduct. Steven E. Strah was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer.

2020: FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. emerges from bankruptcy

In 2020, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. emerged from bankruptcy. The company was incorporated in Delaware under the name Energy Harbor Corp.

July 22, 2021: FirstEnergy fined $230 million

On July 22, 2021, FirstEnergy was fined $230 million for its involvement in the Ohio nuclear bribery scandal. This was the largest criminal fine ever collected by the Southern District of Ohio.

June 2022: Planned Closure Date for Coal-Fired Plants

In August 2018, FirstEnergy announced that the W.H. Sammis Power Plant in Stratton, Ohio and the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant in Shippingport, Pennsylvania was planned to close by June 2022.

June 2022: Cleveland city council urges FirstEnergy to relinquish stadium naming rights

In June 2022, the Cleveland city council passed a resolution to urge FirstEnergy to relinquish the naming rights for FirstEnergy Stadium.

September 16, 2022: Steven E. Strah Retirement Announcement

On September 16, 2022, Steven E. Strah decided to retire as acting chief executive officer of FirstEnergy.

September 17, 2022: John Somerhalder Appointed Interim CEO

On September 17, 2022, John Somerhalder served as interim CEO of FirstEnergy.

March 27, 2023: Brian X. Tierney Announcement as President and CEO

On March 27, 2023, FirstEnergy Corp. announced Brian X. Tierney, a former executive at American Electric Power, as president and CEO of FirstEnergy Corp.

April 13, 2023: FirstEnergy terminates naming rights deal with Cleveland Browns

On April 13, 2023, the Cleveland Browns and FirstEnergy terminated the naming rights deal for FirstEnergy Stadium, restoring the name to Cleveland Browns Stadium.

May 2023: FirstEnergy consolidates Akron operations

In May 2023, FirstEnergy vacated their longtime headquarters in Downtown Akron along with their Brecksville offices to consolidate their operations in their West Akron campus.

June 1, 2023: John Somerhalder Leaves Interim CEO Role

John Somerhalder's time as interim CEO of FirstEnergy ended on June 1, 2023.

2025: Target Year for Energy Reduction

The goal, set in the 2008 Ohio law, was to reduce energy use to 22 percent less by 2025 than consumers did in 2009.

2029: Original End Date of FirstEnergy Stadium Naming Rights Deal

FirstEnergy originally entered a naming rights deal with the Cleveland Browns that was to run through the end of the 2029 NFL season.

Mentioned in this timeline

The United States of America is a federal republic located...

The White House located at Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington...

Pennsylvania is a U S state located in the Mid-Atlantic...

Virginia officially the Commonwealth of Virginia is a state located...

Pittsburgh the county seat of Allegheny County Pennsylvania is the...

The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based...