FE · 10-Q · 2026Q1 · Full report
West Virginia Regulatory Matters
FIRSTENERGY CORP · 2026-04-28 · Importance 59 · Surprise 60
MP and PE filed an Integrated Resource Plan with the WVPSC on October 1, 2025 proposing near‑term capacity purchases, 70 MW of solar by 2028 and 1,200 MW of natural gas combined cycle generation by 2031 to meet PJM adequacy requirements; a hearing was set for May 2026. On February 13, 2026 MP and PE filed a CPCN to construct a 1,200 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant and 70 MW of solar with an estimated capital investment of approximately $2.7 billion and requested a surcharge to recover financing costs during development and construction; an order is expected from the WVPSC in the second half of 2026. MP and PE also anticipate filing a base distribution rate case in Q2 2026 with new rates expected effective in Q1 2027.
Key facts
- On February 13, 2026, MP and PE filed a CPCN to construct and operate a 1,200 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant and 70 MWs of solar generation capacity for an estimated capital investment totaling approximately $2.7 billion as of the date of the filing.
- MP and PE anticipate filing a base rate distribution case with the WVPSC in the second quarter of 2026 with new rates expected to become effective in the first quarter of 2027.
- On October 1, 2025, MP and PE filed their integrated resource plan proposing 70 MWs of solar generation by 2028 and 1,200 MWs of natural gas combined cycle generation by 2031 to meet PJM adequacy requirements.
- On August 29, 2025, MP and PE filed their biennial review of their vegetation management program proposing an approximate $3.2 million decrease in the surcharge rates due to an over-recovery balance as of June 30, 2025 and higher costs for fuel and reagents; the WVPSC held a hearing on December 15, 2025 and issued an order on March 26, 2026 approving the vegetation management program and granting rate recovery for its costs.
- MP and PE recover net power supply costs, including fuel and purchased power costs, net of related market sales revenue through the ENEC; MP’s and PE’s ENEC rate is typically updated annually and MP and PE filed their ENEC filing on August 29, 2025 for rates effective January 1, 2026.
- Two of the five solar generation sites required by the WVPSC went into service in 2024 and the third site entered service in April 2025.
- The WVPSC issued an order on April 21, 2022, effective May 1, 2022, approving a tariff to offer solar power on a voluntary basis to West Virginia customers and requiring MP and PE to subscribe at least 85% of the planned 50 MWs of solar generation before seeking approval for surcharge cost recovery.
- On November 26, 2025, the WVPSC issued a procedural order setting a hearing in May 2026 regarding MP and PE’s integrated resource plan filed October 1, 2025.
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| assets | positive | probable | +2.4% | On February 13, 2026, MP and PE filed a CPCN to construct and operate a 1,200 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant and 70 MWs of solar… |
| cash | negative | probable | -2.4% | On February 13, 2026, MP and PE filed a CPCN to construct and operate a 1,200 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant and 70 MWs of solar… |
| revenue | positive | probable | — | MP and PE anticipate filing a base rate distribution case with the WVPSC in the second quarter of 2026 with new rates expected to become… |
| assets | positive | probable | — | On October 1, 2025, MP and PE filed their integrated resource plan proposing 70 MWs of solar generation by 2028 and 1,200 MWs of natural… |