Note: We received clarification about the timing and severity of the power outage referenced in the PSC documentation.
Christopher Hoenig, Senior Communication Representative for First Energy Corp tells MetroNews “We have been in regular contact with CMC Metals throughout the planning and construction process. They may experience a brief outage to allow for final connection. No other customers will be affected by outages associated with this work.”
BEDINGTON, W.Va. — An $18.4 million project aimed at expanding power capacity to support one of Berkeley County’s newest manufacturers could start as soon as January and could result in some power disruptions to the plant. A spokesperson for First Energy Corp reached out to the Panhandle News Network following the publishing of this article to say while there may be a brief outage at CMC Metals during the final connection, “No other customers will be affected by outages associated with this work.”
The state PSC has released information about a major power line expansion in the Bedington area to support the new Commercial Metals Company operation.
The Bedington-Marlowe 138 kV Transmission Line Loop to Cannon Hill Switching Station Project would include a switching station located approximately 1.5 miles south/southeast of Falling Waters and approximately 1 mile west of the West Virginia/Maryland border in Berkeley County.
As part of this Project, the existing Bedington-Marlowe 138 kV Transmission Line will be looped to extend 138 kV transmission service to the Cannon Hill Switching Station (owned by Potomac Edison) which in turn will provide service to CMC Substation.
The PSC said CMC owns the property where the switching station will be located and construction could begin as early as Jan. 19, 2026 with completion date by mid-July.
A 7-day outage will be needed on or about May 26, according to the documents from the PSC, but First Energy says power should only be impacted at the plant itself, not the community at large.
Read more on the project at The Panhandle News Network.