FirstEnergy's Potomac Edison Offers Extensive Support for Maryland Customers Facing Rising Energy Costs
- FirstEnergy's Potomac Edison offers various financial assistance programs to help customers manage rising electricity costs amid winter challenges.
- Initiatives include grants, bill support, and programs preventing service disconnection for eligible Maryland residents.
- FirstEnergy encourages proactive outreach to local resources, promoting the 2-1-1 Helpline for additional assistance.
FirstEnergy’s Commitment to Customer Support Amid Rising Energy Costs
In the face of soaring energy bills prompted by recent cold weather, Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, steps up its efforts to assist Maryland households struggling to manage electricity costs. Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy in West Virginia and Maryland, highlights the pressing need for financial assistance, particularly as customer energy usage spikes during harsh winter months. The company's proactive approach includes a variety of bill assistance programs aimed at alleviating financial burdens for eligible customers.
Among the financial aid initiatives available, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) stands out, providing grants and crisis support of up to $600 for unpaid bills. The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) offers partial payments for bills, while a special forgiveness program addresses arrearages of up to $2,000. Potomac Edison also ensures continuity of service through the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP), which prevents disconnections during winter months for qualifying customers. The Community Energy Fund (CEF) provides additional emergency payments to meet urgent financial needs, and the EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) enhances assistance by offering free home audits and energy upgrades.
Potomac Edison delivers crucial support to approximately 285,000 customers in Maryland and another 155,000 in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The company underscores its mission to operate with integrity and reliability, as it positions itself within one of the largest investor-owned electric distribution networks in the nation. Customers can find essential information about available assistance programs by visiting firstenergycorp.com/billassist, encouraging them to seek help proactively amidst their energy-related financial hardships.
In addition to the programs specifically for Maryland, Mon Power—also a subsidiary of FirstEnergy—extends its outreach to approximately 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia. The Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) and the Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) are vital components of the assistance framework aimed at ensuring families maintain utility services during challenging times. Both Potomac Edison and Mon Power emphasize the importance of early outreach for those in need, highlighting that timely access to resources is crucial for easing financial stress during the cold season.
With ongoing commitment to community support and reliability, FirstEnergy continues to encourage customers to utilize the 2-1-1 Helpline, which connects individuals to local assistance resources—operating round the clock to ensure that help is always accessible.