Public School Districts Served by AEP's Ohio Power Can Now Save on Electric Generation through Power4Schools and FirstEnergy Solutions

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eligible schools in AEP's Ohio Power service area can receive an average of 10 percent savings on electric generation for two years by signing up for FirstEnergy Solutions' savings offer through the Power4Schools Electric program.

The Power4Schools program was created by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO), Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) and Ohio Schools Council (OSC) to bring savings on electricity and budget certainty to Ohio public schools.  

"Schools in this area that are being hit hard by high electric bills now have an option that delivers savings for the next two years," said David Varda, executive director of OASBO.  "Through the collaboration of OSBA, BASA, OASBO and OSC, Ohio schools are going to reap the benefits of group buying power when it matters most."

Rick Lewis, OSBA executive director added, "We selected FirstEnergy Solutions to manage the Power4Schools program when it was established in early 2011.  And in just this past year, more than 300 Ohio schools and other education-related organizations or entities have saved millions of dollars combined.  We look forward to bringing additional savings to even more schools in AEP's Ohio Power service area."

"As strong advocates of Electric Choice, we continue to believe that shopping for an electric supplier is one of the quickest and easiest ways for schools to achieve budget certainty," said Julie Hextell, senior vice president of Retail Sales and Marketing for FirstEnergy Solutions.  "And it's a pleasure to help Ohio schools save money – an average of 10 percent – on their generation costs in this difficult economy."

Savings are also available through the Power4Schools program to school districts in Northern Ohio and the Duke Energy Ohio service territory.  Schools served by AEP's Columbus Southern can contact FirstEnergy Solutions at (330) 315-6858 to request a customized quote.

FirstEnergy Solutions, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), provides competitive electric generation supply and other energy-related products and services to more than 1.5 million customers, and is a licensed supplier in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and Illinois.  For more information on FirstEnergy Solutions, visit fes.com.

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.

BASA is a nonprofit professional organization of school system leaders, specifically, superintendents, central office administrators, building-level administrators, higher education administrators and faculty, graduate students and other educational personnel.

OASBO, founded in 1936, serves the continuing education and legislative advocacy needs of public school district treasurer/CFOs, business managers, transportation & food service supervisors and support staff. OASBO also offers group savings programs.  Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, OASBO has four statewide and 12 regional chapters.

OSBA is in its 56th year of service to public education.  It represents almost every Ohio public school boards providing superior service and creative solutions, including consulting, training, legal information and other services.

OSC is a regional council of governments created by public school districts of Northeastern Ohio in 1986 for the purpose of saving schools dollars through volume purchasing.  Currently, 161 public school districts in 28 counties are members of OSC.  These districts are enjoying reduced pricing through 24 programs, such as utilities, insurances, supplies and equipment, and various services. 

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.