"Merger between FirstEnergy and Allegheny Power generates benefits for PA clean energy..."

"On February 24th, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a merger between FirstEnergy and West Penn/Allegheny Power. Under the terms of the merger, FirstEnergy will acquire both West Penn/Allegheny Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo). Numerous clean energy benefits were awarded to FirstEnergy and West Penn/Allegheny ratepayers as part of the transaction, including:

$4 million for West Penn's Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP).
An affirmation of the commitment to provide $3.8 million to the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) .
A commitment to deploy smart meters to at least 90 percent of customers by December 31, 2018.
A commitment to procure 40 percent of the companies' Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard solar requirements for 2011-2021 via long-term contracts.
$1 million in funding to the Keystone HELP program.
$1 million in funding to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program to help replenish same.
The efforts of PennFuture's Center E3 were key to obtaining $1 million in funding for Keystone HELP, monies that will go toward establishing a loan loss reserve and interest rate buydown program for borrowers within the FirstEnergy/West Penn/Allegheny service territories. This new program will provide consumers with loans at lower rates and more flexible terms as well as funds for energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.

PennFuture also worked alongside the solar industry and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that the newly-merged utilities would commit to purchasing 40 percent of their AEPS solar requirements for 2011-2021 through long-term contracts of 9-10 years. Long-term contracting is essential to the development of large-scale solar projects in Pennsylvania as it allows developers to get the necessary financing for projects.

The FirstEnergy/Allegheny settlement is the most recent agreement PennFuture has negotiated for renewable energy and efficiency investments in Pennsylvania. Owing to a series of legal cases and advocacy within state government, PennFuture has compelled the state to increase investments and incentives for renewable energy by nearly $200 million."


Thanks to PennFuture for posting!

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