FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiaries The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison filed a three-year rate plan with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on May 26. The plan proposes an average $800 million in annual infrastructure investments and gradual rate increases over the three-year period.

Under the proposal, the companies would invest an average $83 million annually in tree trimming and vegetation management. The plan includes infrastructure upgrades to neighborhood poles, wires and grid technology aimed at reducing outages and improving power restoration times.

The filing projects modest annual rate increases for typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours monthly. Ohio Edison customers would see average annual increases of 2.2%, or $4.26 monthly. The Illuminating Company customers face 2.6% annual increases, or $5.15 monthly. Toledo Edison customers would experience 2.8% annual increases, or $5.30 monthly.

The plan establishes a $4 million Energy Assistance Fund in 2029 by combining existing fuel fund programs and expanding eligibility. An additional $1 million Emergency Energy Support Fund would assist customers facing disconnection or service restoration needs.

"At a time when so many customers are carefully managing household and business expenses, we understand how important it is to provide reliable service while keeping bills as manageable and predictable as possible," said Torrence Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio.

The rate changes apply only to the distribution portion of customer bills and exclude electricity supply costs set by third-party suppliers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will review the filing and provide opportunities for public input before making a decision.

FirstEnergy operates electric distribution systems serving six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.