The parent company of Penelec yesterday announced its 2017 plans for infrastructure improvements. FirstEnergy Corporation says is will invest about $367 million this year throughout the 31 counties served by Penelec, an increase of $129 million from 2016.
Major projects will be conducted in Susquehanna County, Mifflin County, and Bradford County. In the remaining 28 counties, which include Indiana County, Penelec has already begun inspecting utility poles and marking deficient ones for replacement. $3 million has been earmarked for that. The company also plans to spend millions of dollars to replace porcelain cut-out switches with new polymer devices; install new remote control equipment; renovate overhead power lines throughout its 17,000-square-mile service territory; upgrade underground networks; replace breakers at many substations; and replace porcelain insulators with polymer insulators. Penelec will also spend about $1.4 million to relocate lines and equipment affected by road projects.
Penelec spent about $238 million for infrastructure projects last year.
