FirstEnergy gets smart-grid grant

June 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

akron

FirstEnergy Corp. announced Thursday that it has signed an agreement with the Department of Energy for $57.4 million in grants to introduce smart-grid technology. The grants, awarded in October as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, are designed to improve the reliability and interactivity of FirstEnergy’s electric-distribution infrastructure in targeted areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Overall, FirstEnergy plans to invest $114.9 million in smart-grid technologies that will determine the potential to enhance distribution- system performance and give customers incentives to participate in demand-response programs. The federal grants will be matched over time by utility commissions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Ohio smart-grid program is on hold pending a commission review of the proposal, FirstEnergy said in a press release.

Deadline reminder for tax exemption

columbus

Senior citizens and disabled homeowners not enrolled in the homestead-exemption property-tax- relief program have until Monday to sign up for the 2010 tax year, the Ohio Department of Taxation said Thursday. Applications for the exemption are available at county auditor offices. The homestead exemption allows eligible homeowners, regardless of income, the opportunity to shield $25,000 of the market value of their home from property taxation. Savings vary according to local tax rates, but a typical owner will save about $400 annually. The program is available to Ohio resident homeowners 65 and older and to all totally and permanently disabled homeowners.

Vindicator staff reports