FirstEnergy's West Virginia Operations Headquarters Earns Green Designation

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has earned recognition for its commitment to environmental stewardship through the design, construction and operation of its West Virginia Operations Headquarters in Fairmont.  The company recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, placing the new facility in the I-79 Technology Park among the area's first to achieve the designation.

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LEED is an internationally recognized third-party certification system that recognizes buildings that have met the highest possible green construction standards and provide occupants with an improved work environment.

Opened in November 2010, the $50-million operations building houses the Mon Power regional utility headquarters and one of FirstEnergy's three regional transmission control centers that together manage the company's 20,000-mile network of high-voltage transmission lines.

"Mon Power has a long history in Marion County, and we're proud of our new home that showcases energy-saving technologies and workplace practices," said James R. Haney, President of West Virginia Operations.  "From design through construction, our project team focused on best practices and leading-edge environmental design to achieve a greener workplace."

Among the building's innovative design features are low-flow plumbing fixtures and sensors that reduce water usage by 45 percent compared to a typical building; energy-efficient lighting controlled by programmed control panels and occupancy sensors; a white reflective roof that minimizes heat absorption and results in less energy consumption; low-emitting materials to improve indoor air quality; and building materials composed of more than 20 percent recycled content.

Employees who drive fuel-efficient vehicles to work are rewarded with preferred parking spaces, and on-site bike racks and showers encourage bicycle commuting. Everyday practices such as using only eco-friendly cleaning products and recycling throughout the building further benefits the environment.

Omni Associates-Architects of Fairmont designed the building located at 5001 NASA Boulevard.  The general contractor was March-Westin, Inc. of Morgantown.

FirstEnergy also completed its West Akron Campus in 2008, the largest office building in northeast Ohio to achieve Gold Level LEED certification.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies comprise the nation's largest investor-owned electric system.  Its diverse generating fleet features non-emitting nuclear, scrubbed baseload coal, natural gas, and pumped-storage hydro and other renewables, and has a total generating capacity of approximately 23,000 megawatts.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.