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FirstEnergy Solutions Prepares New Bankruptcy Case

photo of power plant
FirstEnergy
The W.H. Sammis coal power plant, operated by FirstEnergy, in Jefferson, OH.

The company that runs two coal and two nuclear plants in Ohio is working on a new bankruptcy proposal after a federal judge denied their initial filing. There’s a broad range of opponents in the case, including environmental groups who fear the energy generator’s parent company is trying to shirk its responsibility. 

FirstEnergy Solutions is filing for bankruptcy in a restructuring plan that would officially separate the company from FirstEnergy Corp., the energy distributor.

Dick Munson with the Environmental Defense Fund said FirstEnergy Corp. wants off the hook for bad investments in power plants that come with environmental cleanup costs.

“The issue is, not to use that legal process as a means to shift the millions if not billions of dollars’ worth of expenses away from the company to consumers," Munson said.

FirstEnergy Solutions will submit a new bankruptcy request. It plans to shut its plants down unless legislative reforms are made. Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers are considering a possible nuclear plant bailout.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.