First Energy and Pennsylvania Energy

About First Energy

Akron-based FirstEnergy began at the dawn of deregulation in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1997, Ohio Edison merged with Centerior Energy Corporation, the parent of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison Company, to form FirstEnergy. Because Ohio Edison already controlled Penn Power as a subsidiary, this PA utility also became part of FirstEnergy.

In 1946, Met-Ed merged with Penelec, and Jersey Central Power & Light Company to form General Public Utilities Corporation (GPU). Following Pennsylvania's deregulation in 1996, GPU sold off its generating stations and long distance transmission lines to focus on distributing and delivering power to customers. After struggling with an increased customer load and rising wholesale prices, GPU agreed in August of 2000 to be bought by FirstEnergy for $4.5 billion. All told, FirstEnergy nearly doubled its revenue to more than $12 billion and served more than 4.3 million customers.

In February 2010, FirstEnergy acquired Allegheny Energy, making FirstEnergy the nation's second-largest electric utility at the time with 6 million customers. FirstEnergy chose to drop the Allegheny Energy trade name and reinstate its subsidiaries' original names which included West Penn Power (serving southwestern and central Pennsylvania).

All FirstEnergy companies are engaged in the communities they serve and help meet their unique local public needs and priorities through the FirstEnergy Foundation.

First Energy Pennsylvania Service Territory

FirstEnergy owned utilities serve large areas of Pennsylvania. These correspond to the service territories of original monopoly utility operating companies.

How Much Do FirstEnergy Price to Compare (PTC) Charges Cost?

In Pennsylvania, FirstEnergy's utilities set PTC rates by holding auctions to line up their electricity supplies. Auctions are held four times a year to cover four delivery periods. When the auctions are completed, the PA Public Utilities Commission must approve the prices for both the generation supply and transmission.

FirstEnergy announces new PTC rates for each of its utilities every March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Because wholesale electricity rates are tied to weather and demand, these utilities' PTC rates can change every three months. Summer rates tend to be higher than the rest of the year.

First Energy Service Area
    Met-Ed Communities include Bethlehem, Carlisle, Easton, Reading, and York.
 
    Penelec Communities include Altoona, Erie, Huntingdon, Johnstown, and Shippensburg.
 
    Penn Power Communities include Butler, Ellwood City, Grove City, New Castle, and Pittsburgh.
 
    West Penn Power Communities include Butler, Canonsburg, Greencastle, Uniontown, and Waynesburg.

First Energy FAQs

How Much Do FirstEnergy Price to Compare (PTC) Charges Cost?

In Pennsylvania, FirstEnergy's utilities set PTC rates by holding auctions to line up their electricity supplies. Auctions are held four times a year to cover four delivery periods. When the auctions are completed, the PA Public Utilities Commission must approve the prices for both the generation supply and transmission.

FirstEnergy announces new PTC rates for each of its utilities every March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Because wholesale electricity rates are tied to weather and demand, these utilities' PTC rates can change every three months. Summer rates tend to be higher than the rest of the year.

What if I'm interested in buying First Energy's energy plans?

We currently do not offer any First Energy plans at this time.

Other popular plans you can try instead are Energy Harbor's Safe Harbor 18 starting at 9.5¢/kWh or Energy Harbor's starting at 0¢/kWh just to name a few!

What companies are similar to First Energy?

Some companies that are like First Energy in price range and user ratings are Energy Harbor and Energy Harbor.

Here is an overview of these two:

Energy Harbor:

  • Average Plan Rate: 10¢/kWh
  • Plan Types: Fixed Rate
  • Cheapest 12 Month Fixed: -
  • Cheapest 24 Month Fixed: -
  • Average User Rating: 3.7/5.0

Energy Harbor:

  • Average Plan Rate: 10¢/kWh
  • Plan Types: Fixed Rate
  • Cheapest 12 Month Plan Fixed: -
  • Cheapest 24 Month Plan Fixed: -
  • Average User Rating: 0/5.0

Is First Energy good?

First Energy has a customer rating of 1.0/5.0 stars (this is out of 1 reviews). This score is calculated by averaging the total number of reviews in our website.

What are some good companies in my area?

In Hanover, Pennsylvania there is:
  1. Energy Harbor 3.7/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 9.8¢/kWh.
  2. Santanna Energy Services 3.6/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 9.1¢/kWh.
  3. CleanSky Energy 3.2/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 10.6¢/kWh.
  4. Constellation 3.1/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 10.3¢/kWh.
  5. NRG Home 2.3/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 11.1¢/kWh.
  6. Direct Energy 2/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 10¢/kWh.
  7. Rushmore Energy 1.9/5.0 with an avg. plan rate of 10.1¢/kWh.


What are some cheap electricity plans in my area?

The most affordable electricity plans in Hanover, Pennsylvania are:

  1. TrueSimple 6 for 6 months starting at 8.3¢/kWh.
  2. TrueSimple 12 for 12 months starting at 9.3¢/kWh.
  3. Live Brighter 18 for 18 months starting at 9.4¢/kWh.
  4. TrueSimple 24 for 24 months starting at 9.4¢/kWh.
  5. Live Brighter 12 for 12 months starting at 9.5¢/kWh.

How much do electricity plans cost per month?

The monthly bill will vary by season (with the winter and summer seasons being the more expensive periods) and the size of your home. In 2022 in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the average electricity plan rate is 10¢/kWh. On average, that means

  • A small home will use around 500kWh of energy times 10¢/kWh totalling $50 per month.
  • An average-sized home will use around 1000kWh of power times 10¢/kWh totalling $100 per month.
  • A large home will use around 2000kWh of power times 10¢/kWh totalling $200 per month.

You can price electricity plans in your area here.

Shopping Looking for Electricity in the First Energy Service Area?

While you can not order First Energy on PAEnergyRatings.com. We do have a wide variety of the best electricity plans in Pennsylvania for you to choose from.

Want to order Natural Gas in the First Energy Area?

First Energy is not currently available on PAEnergyRatings.com, if you are looking to order for residentail natural gas, these are our recommended plans. Or you can browse all of our Pennsylvania natural gas plans.

First Energy Service Area Providers

Company Rating Phone
Constellation
(5/5)
855-798-9075
Provision Power & Gas
(4.5/5)
866-929-2842
NextEra Energy Services
(4.3/5)
855-639-8091
Direct Energy
(4.2/5)
844-225-3948
Frontier Utilities
(4.1/5)
877-291-6554
Energy Harbor
(4.1/5)
855-847-5888
Verde Energy
(3.8/5)
Tomorrow Energy
(3.5/5)
888-392-8329
APG&E
(3.2/5)
CleanSky Energy
(3/5)
800-581-1016
Santanna Energy Services
(3/5)
855-763-2715
XOOM Energy
(2.5/5)
Major Energy
(2.1/5)
PAG&E
(2/5)
American Power & Gas
(2/5)
866 682 9816
National Gas & Electric
(2/5)
SFE Energy
(2/5)
Rushmore Energy
(2/5)
ENGIE
(2/5)
NRG Home
(2/5)
Sunwave Gas & Power
(2/5)
AEP Energy
(2/5)
22 results

News Articles About First Energy

First Energy Wants to Make One PA Utility

Posted on

First Energy Seeks to Merge Four PA Utility Companies

Merging four PA utility companies into one First Energy company leaves uncertainty about customer rates. The PA PUC will decide.
The PA PUC will decide whether PA electricity customers may benefit from First Energy merging its four PA utility companies into one. Learn how this could change your electricty bills.

First Energy has filed with the PA PUC to consolidate all of their subsidiary utilities together. This would make one single First Energy PA utility. However, there could be several upsides to the merger, like lower operating costs and better customer service. And, First Energy says that rates won't change right away. This sounds like good news for PA utility customers. But that's in the short term. What happens after that? And how will this affect your electricity rates?

What’s the Plan for First Energy?

First Energy wants to merge their PA utility companies into a single utility called First Energy Pennsylvania Electricity Company. This means all the service areas of Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power would become one utility. First Energy believes the changes would let them operate more effectively. And that they would lead to better service and lower operating costs. And with lower costs come lower rates for customers.

How One PA Utility Could Change Your Rates

But what does this mean for your rates? The proposal shows nothing would change. The company intends to convert their utility service areas into "rate districts". So, it sounds like business as usual at first.

Currently, each First Energy utility must file its own Price to Compare (PTC) rate with the state. However, one of the stated goals from First Energy is to “Lay the foundation for an eventual unification of rates and charges for electric service in later base rate case(s)". First Energy eventually wants to file one PTC rate for all of their customers. If the PUC approves the merger and rate change, it's hard to say how the PTC rates may change.

Unfortunately, First Energy has overcharged Pennsylvanians for dubious business dealings in Ohio. So some regulators may be reluctant to embrace a single PTC rate for the whole state as a good thing.

CAUSE-PA Filing to Intervene with First Energy

CAUSE-PA, an association that advocates for affordable utility services, is concerned with this merger. The group has filed a motion to intervene with the PA PUC. They worry how the merger will change the quality of utility services and how it would affect low income assistance programs. In addition, they expressed doubt whether the merger would actually benefit customers. 

On top of this, the Office of Small Business Advocate filed a protest against First Energy. They're demanding proof that First Energy's statements in their filing are accurate.

Wile more protest and petitions are sure to come, the PUC has to actually approve First Energy's filing. So it may be some time before any answers emerge.

Don't Let Low Rates Slip By

Remember that these potential changes may only affect PTC customers. But if you shop PA electricity retail providers, you won't need to worry at all. And since spring has the lowest rates, now is the best time to shop for the cheapest electricity plan! But don't wait too long because summer heat is coming!

Compare providers, find a low rate, and keep up with energy news all in one place! Save when your shop the best plans at https://www.paenergyratings.com.

PA Electricity Rates Falling! Shop Now?

Posted on

Is it time to shop for a new electricity rate?

Falling electricity rates mean this you could find a cheaper energy plan for your home this spring. Compare and shop now!
Find out why shopping for a new electricity rate this spring could get you a cheaper energy rate on your future bills. Compare plans and shop now!

Electricity rates are falling all across Pennsylvania! Several utilities are filing to lower their PTC rates this spring, and Pennsylvania electricity providers are not far behind. But is now a good time to shop for a new electricity rate? Or should you wait until spring to snag a better deal?

Lower Rates Coming Soon

Across the First Energy service area, rates are falling. First Energy just filed corrections to their upcoming PTC rates in March.

  • Met-Ed is lowering their rate from 10.3 cents per kWh to 9.9 cents per kWh, a 1.4 cent decrease.
  • Penelec is lowering their rate from 9.8 cents per kWh to 9.5 cents per kWh, a .3 cent decrease.
  • Penn Power is lowering their rate from 10.5 cents per kWh to 10.4 cents per kWh, a .1 cent decrease.
  • West Penn is lowering their rate from 8.5 cents per kWh to 8.2 cents per kWh, a .3 cent decrease.

PECO is also lowering their generation rates! The generation supply adjustment rate, or GSA, represents the majority of cost for PTC rates, but doesn't include the supply charge. So it’s not a final number. The current PTC rate is 9.85 cents per kWh, and the new GSA charge is 8.9 cents per kWh, a .9 decrease from the current rate.

While these are huge price discounts, they suggest a trend for electricity rates in PA cities.

Should I Shop Falling Electricity Rates Now?

Thankfully you don’t have to wait until March to snag a lower rate. While we recommend shopping in the spring for the best rates, there are several tempting options on the market lower than current PTC rates.

Right now if you want the best rate in Reading, Erie, or Philly then APG&E is the company to beat. The APG&E TrueSimple 6 Plan has the lowest rate available in all three areas, beating out current PTC rates for Med-Ed, Penelec, or PECO.

In Reading and Erie, the APG&E rate is just 8.7 cents per kWh. That's 1.6 cents lower than the Med-Ed PTC rate and 1.1 cents lower than Penelec. In September that same plan was 19.53 cents per kWh! And in Philly, the APG&E rate is 8 cents per kWh, a full 1.85 cents lower than the current PECO PTC rate. This past September the same plan would have cost you 18.14 cents per kWh.

With a 6 month fixed rate and a $1.99 monthly charge this plan is hard to beat. Just keep in mind their $100 cancellation fee if you want to shop for an even lower rate in spring! And always be mindful of when your contract expires. You don’t want to forget to shop and get stuck with a nasty billing surprise.

Keep an Eye on Falling Electricity Rates this Spring

It may be tempting to snag the first plan you see that’s lower than the current PTC rates, but there’s no need to rush! You can check reviews, look at different rates, and find the best plan for you all in one place. Shop smart with https://www.paenergyratings.com