UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C.  20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2008

OR

[  ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to 

CommissionRegistrant; State of Incorporation;I.R.S. Employer
File Number
Address; and Telephone Number
Identification No.
   
333-21011FIRSTENERGY CORP.34-1843785
 (An Ohio Corporation) 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
333-145140-01FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.31-1560186
 (An Ohio Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH 44308 
 Telephone (800)736-3402 
   
1-2578OHIO EDISON COMPANY34-0437786
 (An Ohio Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
1-2323THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY34-0150020
 (An Ohio Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
1-3583THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY34-4375005
 (An Ohio Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
1-3141JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY21-0485010
 (A New Jersey Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
1-446METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY23-0870160
 (A Pennsylvania Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
   
1-3522PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY25-0718085
 (A Pennsylvania Corporation) 
 c/o FirstEnergy Corp. 
 76 South Main Street 
 Akron, OH  44308 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 

 
 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes (X)  No (  )
FirstEnergy Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company
Yes (  )  No (X)
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company and Metropolitan Edison Company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer
(X)
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
Accelerated Filer
(  )
 
N/A
Non-accelerated Filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
(X)
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company

Smaller Reporting Company
(  )
N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes (  )No (X)
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company, and Pennsylvania Electric Company

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 OUTSTANDING
CLASS
AS OF MAY 8,November 6, 2008
FirstEnergy Corp., $0.10 par value304,835,407
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., no par value7
Ohio Edison Company, no par value60
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, no par value67,930,743
The Toledo Edison Company, $5 par value29,402,054
Jersey Central Power & Light Company, $10 par value14,421,637
Metropolitan Edison Company, no par value859,500
Pennsylvania Electric Company, $20 par value4,427,577

FirstEnergy Corp. is the sole holder of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company common stock.

This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant, except that information relating to any of the FirstEnergy subsidiary registrants is also attributed to FirstEnergy Corp.

OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION

FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H(2) to Form 10-Q.

 
 

 

Forward-Looking Statements: This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding management’s intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms “anticipate,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate” and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievementachievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Actual results may differ materially due to:
·  the speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry and legislative and regulatory changes affecting how generation rates will be determined following the expiration of existing rate plans in Ohio and Pennsylvania,
·  the impact of the PUCO’s rulemaking process on the Ohio Companies’ ESP and MRO filings,
·  economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins,
·  changes in markets for energy services,
·  changing energy and commodity market prices and availability,
·  replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged,
·  the continued ability of FirstEnergy’s regulated utilities to collect transition and other charges or to recover increased transmission costs,
·  maintenance costs being higher than anticipated,
·  other legislative and regulatory changes, revised environmental requirements, including possible GHG emission regulations,
·  the impact of the U.S. Court of Appeals’ July 11, 2008 decision to vacate the CAIR rules and the scope of any laws, rules or regulations that may ultimately take their place,
·  the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures needed to, among other things, implement the Air Quality Compliance Plan (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated) or levels of emission reductions related to the Consent Decree resolving the New Source ReviewNSR litigation or other potential regulatory initiatives,
·  adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits and oversight) by the NRC (including, but not limited to, the Demand for Information issued to FENOC on May 14, 2007),
·  the timing and outcome of various proceedings before the
-  PUCO (including, but not limited to, the ESP and MRO proceedings as well as the distribution rate cases and the generation supply plan filing for the Ohio Companies and the successful resolution of the issues remanded to the PUCO by the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the RSP and RCP, including the deferralrecovery of deferred fuel costs),
-·  and Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s transmission service charge filings with the PPUC as well as the resolution of the Petitions for Review filed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania with respect to the transition rate plan for Met-Ed and Penelec,
·  the continuing availability of generating units and their ability to operate at or near full capacity,
·  the changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in the registrants’ nuclear decommissioning trusts, pension trusts and other trust funds,
·  the ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards,
·  the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals (including employee workforce initiatives),
·  the ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business,
·  the changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in the registrants’ nuclear decommissioning trusts, pension trusts and other trust funds, and cause FirstEnergy to make additional contributions sooner, or in an amount that is larger than currently anticipated,
·  the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with FirstEnergy’s financing plan and the cost of such capital,
·  changes in general economic conditions affecting the registrants,
·  the state of the capital and credit markets affecting the registrants, and
·  the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in the registrants’ SEC filings, and other similar factors.

The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on the registrants’ business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Also, a security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and it may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time and each such rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The registrants expressly disclaim any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.








 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS



  Pages
Glossary of Terms
iii-v
   
Part I.     Financial Information 
   
Items 1. and 2. - Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
   
FirstEnergy Corp.
 
   
 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and1-32
 
Results of Operations
1-46
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm3347
 Consolidated Statements of Income3448
 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income3549
 Consolidated Balance Sheets3650
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows3751
   
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations38-4052-54
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm4155
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income4256
 Consolidated Balance Sheets4357
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows4458
   
Ohio Edison Company
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations45-4659-60
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm4761
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income4862
 Consolidated Balance Sheets4963
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows5064
   
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations51-5265-66
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm5367
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income5468
 Consolidated Balance Sheets5569
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows5670
   
The Toledo Edison Company
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations57-5871-73
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm5974
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income6075
 Consolidated Balance Sheets6176
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows6277
   

 
i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont'd)



Jersey Central Power & Light Company
Pages
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations63-6478-79
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm6580
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income6681
 Consolidated Balance Sheets6782
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows6883
   
Metropolitan Edison Company
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations69-7084-85
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm7186
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income7287
 Consolidated Balance Sheets7388
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows7489
   
Pennsylvania Electric Company
 
   
 Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations75-7690-91
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm7792
 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income7893
 Consolidated Balance Sheets7994
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows8095
   
Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries
81-9496-111
  
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
95-123112-147
  
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
124148
   
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures – FirstEnergy.
124148
  
Item 4T.          Controls and Procedures – FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec.
124148
   
Part II.    Other Information 
   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
125149
   
Item 1A.         Risk Factors.
125149
  
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
125149
  
Item 6.    Exhibits.
126150





 
ii

 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS


The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this report to identify FirstEnergy Corp. and its current and former subsidiaries:

ATSIAmerican Transmission Systems, Inc.,Incorporated, owns and operates transmission facilities 
CEIThe Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
CompaniesOE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec 
FENOCFirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, operates nuclear generating facilities 
FESFirstEnergy Solutions Corp., provides energy-related products and services 
FESCFirstEnergy Service Company, provides legal, financial and other corporate support services 
FGCOFirstEnergy Generation Corp., owns and operates non-nuclear generating facilities 
FirstEnergyFirstEnergy Corp., a public utility holding company 
GPU
GPU, Inc., former parent of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec, which merged with FirstEnergy on
November 7, 2001
 
JCP&LJersey Central Power & Light Company, a New Jersey electric utility operating subsidiary 
JCP&L Transition
   Funding
JCP&L Transition Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and issuer of transition
bonds
 
JCP&L Transition
   Funding II
JCP&L Transition Funding II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and issuer of transition
bonds
 
Met-EdMetropolitan Edison Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary 
NGCFirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., owns nuclear generating facilities 
OEOhio Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary 
Ohio CompaniesCEI, OE and TE 
PenelecPennsylvania Electric Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary 
PennPennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of OE 
Pennsylvania CompaniesMet-Ed, Penelec and Penn 
PNBVPNBV Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by OE in 1996 
ShippingportShippingport Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by CEI and TE in 1997 
Signal Peak
A joint venture between FirstEnergy Ventures Corp. and Boich Companies, that owns mining and
coal transportation operations near Roundup, Montana, formerly known as Bull Mountain
TEThe Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary 
TEBSAUtilitiesTermobarranquila S.A. Empresa de Servicios PublicosOE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec 
   
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used to identify frequently used terms in this report: 
   
ACOAdministrative Consent Order
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. 
ALJAdministrative Law Judge
AMP-OhioAmerican Municipal Power-Ohio, Inc.
AOCLAccumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
AQCAir Quality Control 
ARBAccounting Research Bulletin 
AROAsset Retirement Obligation 
ASMAncillary Services Market 
BGSBasic Generation Service
BPJBest Professional Judgment 
CAAClean Air Act 
CAIRClean Air Interstate Rule 
CAMRClean Air Mercury Rule 
CBPCompetitive Bid Process 
CO2
Carbon Dioxide 
DFIDemand for Information
DOJUnited States Department of Justice
DRADivision of Ratepayer Advocate
EISEnergy Independence Strategy
EITFEmerging Issues Task Force
EMPEnergy Master Plan
EPAUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
EPACTEnergy Policy Act of 2005
ESPElectric Security Plan
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FERCFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
FINFASB Interpretation
FIN 46RFIN 46 (revised December 2003), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities"

iii

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.


FIN 47
FIN 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 143"
FIN 48
FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109”
FirstComFirst Communications, Inc.

iii

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.


FMBFirst Mortgage Bonds
FSPFASB Staff Position
FSP FAS 157-2FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of  FASB Statement No. 157”Bond
FTRFinancial Transmission Rights
GAAPAccounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States
GHGGreenhouse Gases
ICEIntercontinental Exchange
IRSInternal Revenue Service
ISOIndependent System Operator
kVKilovolt
KWHKilowatt-hours
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LOCLetter of Credit
MEIUGMet-Ed Industrial Users Group
MEWMission Energy Westside, Inc.
MISOMidwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Service
MROMarket Rate Offer
MWMegawatts
NAAQSNational Ambient Air Quality Standards
NERCNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation
NJBPUNew Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NOPRNotice of Proposed Rulemaking
NOVNotice of Violation
NOX
Nitrogen Oxide
NRCNuclear Regulatory Commission
NSRNew Source Review
NUGNon-Utility Generation
NUGCNon-Utility Generation Charge
NYMEXNew York Mercantile Exchange
OCAOffice of Consumer Advocate
OTCOver the Counter
OVECOhio Valley Electric Corporation
PCRBPollution Control Revenue Bond
PICAPenelec Industrial Customer Alliance
PJMPJM Interconnection L. L. C.
PLRProvider of Last Resort
PPUCPennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PRPPotentially Responsible Party
PSAPower Supply Agreement
PUCOPublic Utilities Commission of Ohio
PUHCAPublic Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
RCPRate Certainty Plan 
RECBRegional Expansion Criteria and Benefits 
RFPRequest for Proposal 
RPMReliability Pricing Model 
RSPRate Stabilization Plan 
RTCRegulatory Transition Charge
RTORegional Transmission Organization 
S&PStandard & Poor’s Ratings Service
SB221Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221 
SBCSocietal Benefits Charge 
SECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 
SECASeams Elimination Cost Adjustment 
SFASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards 
SFAS 109SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”
SFAS 123(R)SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment"
SFAS 133SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” 

iv

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.


SFAS 141(R)142SFAS No 141(R), “Business Combinations”No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”
SFAS 143SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”
SFAS 157SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”
SFAS 159
SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an
Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”
SFAS 160
SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment
   of ARB No. 51”
SFAS 161
SFAS No 161, “Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment
   of FASB Statement No. 133”

iv

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.


SIPState Implementation Plan(s) Under the Clean Air Act
SNCRSelective Non-Catalytic Reduction
SO2
Sulfur Dioxide
TBCTransition Bond Charge
TMI-1Three Mile Island Unit 1
TMI-2Three Mile Island Unit 2
TSCTransmission Service Charge
VIEVariable Interest Entity

 
v

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEMS 1. AND 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.


FIRSTENERGY CORP.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Net income in the firstthird quarter of 2008 was $276$471 million, or basic earnings of $0.91$1.55 per share of common stock ($0.901.54 diluted), compared with net income of $290$413 million, or basic and diluted earnings of $0.92$1.36 per share of common stock ($1.34 diluted) in the third quarter of 2007. Net income in the first quarternine months of 2007. The decrease2008 was $1.01 billion, or basic earnings of $3.32 per share of common stock ($3.29 diluted), compared with net income of $1.04 billion, or basic earnings of $3.39 per share of common stock ($3.35 diluted) in FirstEnergy’s earnings was driven primarily by increased operating expenses, partially offset by increased revenues.the first nine months of 2007.

Change in Basic Earnings Per Share
From Prior Year First Quarter
Basic Earnings Per Share – First Quarter 2007$ 0.92
Gain on non-core asset sales – 2008   0.06
Saxton decommissioning regulatory asset – 2007   (0.05)
Trust securities impairment   (0.02)
Revenues   0.55
Fuel and purchased power   (0.42)
Depreciation and amortization   (0.03)
Deferral of new regulatory assets   (0.03)
Energy Delivery O&M expenses   (0.03)
General taxes   (0.02)
Corporate-owned life insurance   (0.06)
Other expenses   0.01
Reduced common shares outstanding   0.03
Basic Earnings Per Share – First Quarter 2008$ 0.91
  Three Months Nine Months 
Change in Basic Earnings Per Share Ended Ended 
From Prior Year Periods September 30 September 30 
        
Basic Earnings Per Share – 2007 $1.36 $3.39 
Gain on non-core asset sales – 2008/2007  (0.04) 0.02 
Litigation settlement – 2008  -  0.03 
Saxton decommissioning regulatory asset – 2007  -  (0.05)
Trust securities impairment  (0.05) (0.09)
Revenues  0.57  1.36 
Fuel and purchased power  (0.34) (1.16)
Depreciation and amortization  (0.02) (0.07)
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (0.10) (0.23)
Investment Income – decommissioning trusts
  and corporate-owned life insurance
  0.04  (0.05)
Income tax adjustments  0.12  0.12 
Other expense reductions  0.01  0.02 
Reduced common shares outstanding  -  0.03 
Basic Earnings Per Share – 2008 $1.55 $3.32 

Regulatory Matters - Ohio
Recent Market Developments

Legislative Process
In response to the recent unprecedented volatility in the capital and credit markets, FirstEnergy continues to assess its exposure to counterparty credit risk, its access to funds in the capital and credit markets, and market-related changes in the value of its postretirement benefit trusts, nuclear decommissioning trusts and other investments. FirstEnergy has taken several  steps to strengthen its liquidity position and provide additional flexibility to meet its anticipated obligations and those of its subsidiaries. While FirstEnergy believes its existing sources of liquidity will continue to be available to meet its anticipated obligations, management is reviewing its 2009 plans to determine what adjustments should be made to operating and capital budgets in response to the economic climate to reduce the need for external sources of capital. Although this process is not yet complete, management expects that FirstEnergy's capital expenditures will be reduced from the levels previously anticipated; however, it expects to continue to meet commitments for required capital projects and necessary operational expenditures.

Liquidity

On April 22, 2008, an amended version
FirstEnergy has access to more than $4 billion of Substitute Senate Bill 221 (Substitute SB221)liquidity, of which approximately $1.9 billion was passed byavailable as of October 31, 2008. FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries have approximately $404 million available under a $2.75 billion revolving credit facility, with no one financial institution having more than 7.3% of the Ohio Housetotal commitment. An additional $1.1 billion was available through other commitments including: bank credit facilities totaling $420 million; a $300 million term loan with Credit Suisse, discussed below; and $550 million of Representativesaccounts receivable financing facilities. FirstEnergy had $456 million of cash and sent backcash equivalents as of October 31, 2008.

FirstEnergy’s currently payable long-term debt includes approximately $2.1 billion of variable-rate PCRBs. The interest rates on these PCRBs are reset daily or weekly. Bondholders can tender their PCRBs for mandatory repurchase prior to the Ohio Senate for concurrence. On April 23, 2008, the Ohio Senate approved the House's amendments to Substitute SB221 and forwarded the bill to the Governor for signature, which he signed on May 1, 2008. Amended Substitute SB221 requires all electric distribution utilities to file an RSP, now called an ESP,their maturity with the PUCO. An ESP is requiredpurchase price payable from remarketing proceeds or, if the PCRBs are not successfully remarketed, by drawings under irrevocable direct pay LOCs. Prior to contain a proposal for the supply and pricingSeptember 18, 2008, FirstEnergy had not experienced any unsuccessful remarketings of retail generation. A utility could also simultaneously file an MRO in which it would have to demonstrate the following objective market criteria: The utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC-approved RTO having a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power, and a published source exists that identifies information for traded electricity and energy products that are contracted for delivery two years into the future. The PUCO would test the ESP and its pricing and all other terms and conditions against the MRO and may only approve the ESP if it is found to be more favorable to customers. As part of an ESP with a plan period longer than three years, the PUCO shall prospectively determine every fourth year of the plan whether it is substantially likely the plan will provide the electric distribution utility a return on common equity significantly in excess of the return likely to be earned by publicly traded companies, including utilities, that face comparable business and financial risk (comparable companies). If so, the PUCO may terminate the ESP. Annually under an ESP, the PUCO shall determine whether an electric distribution utility's earned return on common equity is significantly in excess of returns earned on common equity during the same period by comparable companies, and if so, shall require the utility to return such excess to customers by prospective adjustments. Amended Substitute SB221 also includes provisions dealing with advanced and renewable energy standards and energy efficiency, including requirements to meet annual benchmarks. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating this legislation and expects to file an ESP in the second or third quarter of 2008.these variable-rate PCRBs.


 
1

 

Distribution Rate Request

On February 25, 2008, evidentiary hearings concludedCoincident with recent disruptions in the distribution rate requestsvariable-rate demand bond and capital markets generally, certain of the PCRBs have been tendered by bondholders to the trustee. As of October 31, 2008, $72.5 million of the PCRBs, all of which are backed by Wachovia Bank LOCs, had been tendered and not yet successfully remarketed. Of these, draws on the applicable LOCs were made for $72.4 million, all of which Wachovia honored. The reimbursement agreements between the Ohio Companies. The requests for $332 million in revenue increases were filed on June 7, 2007. Public hearings were held fromsubsidiary obligors and Wachovia require reimbursement of outstanding LOC draws by March 5, 2008 through March 24, 2008. Main briefs were filed on March 28, 2008, and reply briefs were filed on April 18, 2008. The PUCO is expected to render its decision during the second or third quarter of 2008 (see Outlook – Ohio).2009.

Regulatory Matters - Pennsylvania

Penn’s Interim Default Service Supply

On March 13, 2008, the PPUC approved the residential procurement process in Penn’s Joint Petition for Settlement. This RFP process calls for load-following, full-requirements contracts for default service procurement for residential customers for the period covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2011. The PPUC had previously approved the default service procurement processes for commercial and industrial customers. The default service procurement for small commercial customers was conducted through multiple RFPs, while the default service procurement for large commercial and industrial customers will utilize hourly pricing. BidsAs a further safeguard in the two RFPs for small commercial load were approved by the PPUCevent of future draws on February 22,these LOCs, in early October 2008 and March 20, 2008. On March 28, 2008, Penn filed compliance tariffsFirstEnergy negotiated with the new default service generation rates based onbanks that have issued the approved RFP bids for small commercial customers whichLOCs to extend the PPUC then certified on April 4, 2008. On April 14, 2008, the first RFP for residential customers’ load was held consisting of tranches for both 12 and 24-month supply. The PPUC approved the bids on April 16, 2008. The second RFP is scheduled to be held on May 14, 2008, after which time the PPUC is expected to approve the new rates to go into effect June 1, 2008.

Met-Ed and Penelec Transmission Service Charge Filing

On April 14, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. The proposed TSCs include a component for under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed has proposed a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portionterm of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

Generation

Generation Output Recordrespective reimbursement obligations. Approximately $902 million of LOCs that previously required reimbursement of LOC draws within 30 days or less were modified to extend the reimbursement obligations to six months or June 2009, as applicable.

FirstEnergy set a new first quarter generation output recordalso enhanced its liquidity position during this period of 20.4 million megawatt-hours, a 1.8% increase over the prior record establishedturmoil in the firstcredit and capital markets by securing, on October 8, 2008, a $300 million secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse. Under the facility, FGCO is the borrower and FES and FirstEnergy are guarantors. Generally, the facility is available to FGCO until October 7, 2009, with a minimum borrowing amount of $100 million and with repayment due 30 days after the borrowing date subject to extension at the end of each quarter until two days after the release of 2006.
Refueling Outageresults of operations. Advances under the facility are not available for re-borrowing after they are repaid.

Access to the capital markets and costs of financing are influenced by the ratings of the securities of FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. On April 14,August 1, 2008, Beaver Valley Unit 2 beganS&P changed its regularly scheduled refueling outage. Duringoutlook for FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries from “negative” to “stable.” Moody’s outlook for FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries remains “stable.” The credit ratings of FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries also govern the outage, several improvement projectscollateral provisions of certain contract guarantees. Subsequent to the occurrence of a credit rating downgrade to below investment grade or a “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of cash collateral may be required. As of September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure under these collateral provisions was $573 million, consisting of $64 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses and $509 million due to a below investment grade credit rating. Stress case conditions of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event” and hypothetical adverse price movements in the underlying commodity markets would increase this amount to $648 million, consisting of $58 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses and $590 million due to a below investment grade credit rating. FirstEnergy’s revolving credit facility does not contain provisions that either restrict the ability to borrow or accelerate repayment of outstanding advances as a result of any change in these credit ratings although a change in credit rating could increase FirstEnergy’s cost of borrowing. FirstEnergy does not anticipate current market conditions to result in any events that will take place onresult in posting additional collateral or that will impact its ability to remain in compliance with its debt covenants.

Long-Term Financing

On October 20, 2008, OE issued $300 million of FMBs, comprised of $275 million 8.25% Series of 2008 due 2038 and $25 million 8.25% Series of 2008 due 2018. OE will use the 868-MW unitnet proceeds from these offerings to fund capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. CEI, TE and Met-Ed each have regulatory authority to issue up to $300 million of long-term debt, and requests are pending before the NJBPU and PPUC for authority to issue up to an aggregate $400 million of additional utility long-term debt. FirstEnergy intends to execute these long-term financings as it deems appropriate and as market conditions permit.

Counterparty Credit Risk

FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries are subject to credit risk, which relates to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations or the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver contracted commodities or services at the contracted price. FirstEnergy routinely performs counterparty risk evaluations including replacingmonitoring of credit default spreads of counterparties, monitors portfolio trends and uses collateral and contract provisions to mitigate exposure. Recent market events including, but not limited to, the high pressure turbinedefault of Lehman have resulted in a more stringent approach to counterparty credit evaluations resulting in a decrease in the number of approved counterparties. FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries have long-term power and inspectingcoal contracts with certain counterparties that, in the reactor vesselevent of the counterparty’s default, would likely be replaced with contracts having less favorable terms that may negatively impact financial condition and results of operations. FirstEnergy has reviewed its insurance coverage and believes that the availability and cost of liability, property, nuclear risk and other plant safety systems. Beaver Valley Unit 2 had operatedforms of insurance have not been materially impacted by recent events, but will continue to monitor the events and ratings of the companies which provide insurance coverage for 520 consecutive days when it was taken off line for the outage.FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries.

Maintenance OutageInvestments

On April 14, 2008,
Despite recent declines in the Perry Nuclear Power Plant returned to service following completionvalue of a 10-day planned outage for valve work and other maintenance in preparation for the upcoming summer months.

Financial Matters

Acquisition of Additional Equity Interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2

On March 3, 2008, notice was givenFirstEnergy’s pension plan investments, contributions to the nine owner trusts that are lessors under sale and leaseback transactions, originally entered into by TEplan will not be required in 1987, that NGC2009. The overall actual investment return as of October 31, 2008 was a loss of 25.4% compared to an assumed 9% positive return. Based on an 8% discount rate assumption, if the ultimate return for 2008 was to remain at a loss of 25.4%, 2009 pre-tax net periodic pension expense would acquirebe approximately $145 million, an increase of approximately $180 million compared to the related 18.26% undivided interestyear 2008. If the ultimate return for 2008 was to remain at a loss of 25.4%, FirstEnergy would also not be required to make contributions in Beaver Valley Unit 22010. However, if assets were to decline an additional 1% from October 31, 2008 through the exerciseend of the periodic purchase option provided for in the applicable facility leases. The purchase price to be paid by NGC for the undivided interest will be equal to the higher of a specified casualty value under the applicable facility leases (approximately $239 million in the aggregate for the equity portion of all nine facility leases) and the fair market sales value of such undivided interests. Determination of the fair market sales value may become subject to an appraisal procedure provided for in the lease documentation. An additional payment2008, contributions of approximately $236$65 million would be required to prepay in full the outstanding principal of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the lessor notes of the nine owner trusts. Alternatively, this amount would not be paid as part of the aggregate purchase price if the lessor notes are instead assumed at the time of the exercise of the option. If NGC determines to prepay the notes, it is possible that the proceeds from such prepayment may not be sufficient to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds as they become due. If that is the case, NGC would provide a mechanism to address any such potential shortfall in a timely manner.2010.

 
2

 


Repurchase and Remarketing of Auction Rate Bonds

Between February 27, 2008 and April 2, 2008, FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries repurchased allThis information does not consider any actions management may take to mitigate the impact of their tax-exempt long-term PCRBs originally sold at auction rates ($530 million) in response to disruptionsthe asset return shortfalls, including changes in the auction rateamount and timing of future contributions. The actuarial assumptions used in the determination of pension and postretirement benefit costs are interrelated and changes in other assumptions could have the impact of offsetting all or a portion of the potential increase in benefit costs set forth above.

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds have been established to satisfy NGC’s and the Utilities’ nuclear decommissioning obligations. As of September 30, 2008, approximately 47% of the funds were invested in equity securities market. and 53% were invested in fixed income securities, with limitations related to concentration and investment grade ratings.

The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L and the Pennsylvania Companies are subject to regulatory accounting, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, since the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers. NGC, OE and TE recognize in earnings the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities held in their nuclear decommissioning trusts. Nuclear decommissioning trust securities impairments totaled $63 million in the first nine months of 2008. FirstEnergy does not expect to make additional cash contributions to the nuclear decommissioning trusts in 2009, other than the required annual TMI-2 trust contribution that is collected through customer rates. However, should the trust funds continue to experience declines in market value, FirstEnergy may be required to take measures, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parental guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and meet minimum NRC funding requirements.

In Februaryconnection with the decommissioning of TMI-2, Met-Ed, Penelec and JCP&L make a combined annual contribution of approximately $13 million. In connection with the 2005 intra-system generation asset transfer, NGC is required to contribute $80 million to the trust by May 2010. See Note 15 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements within FirstEnergy’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the intra-system generation asset transfer.

Economic and Operational Risks

Results in the third quarter of 2008 FGCO, NGC, Met-Ed and Penelec electedcontinued to convert all of their then outstanding auction rate PCRBs to a weekly rate mode, which required their mandatory purchase of these PCRBsreflect some adverse effects on the applicable conversion dates. The companies initially fundeddemand for electricity as a result of current economic conditions – particularly with respect to the repurchaseautomotive industry. This condition is expected to continue into 2009 with short-term debt. On April 22, 2008, Met-Ed ($28.5 million)potentially wider application among the Utilities’ customers. FirstEnergy expects to see the impact of slower economic growth in both sales and Penelec ($45 million) successfully marketed their converted PCRBsdistribution revenues. Earlier in the year, FirstEnergy enhanced its collection processes with respect to current customer billings and customer deposits. While these efforts may have a variable-rate mode. Subject to market conditions, FGCOmitigating effect, FirstEnergy expects that there could be resulting increases in uncollectible customer accounts in future periods. In addition, the margin on wholesale and NGC plan to remarket their converted PCRBs later in 2008, either in fixed-rate or variable-rate modes.retail generation sales may be reduced as a result of lower demand and the resulting downward pressure on power prices.

Non-Core Asset SaleRegulatory Matters

Ohio Legislative Process

On MarchJuly 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed both an ESP and MRO with the PUCO. A PUCO decision on the MRO was required by statute within 90 days of the filing and is required on the ESP within 150 days. Under the ESP, new rates would be effective for retail customers on January 1, 2009. Evidentiary hearings concluded on October 31, 2008 and no further hearings are scheduled. The parties are required to submit initial briefs by November 21, 2008, with all reply briefs due by December 12, 2008.

Under the MRO alternative, the Ohio Companies propose to procure generation supply through a CBP. The MRO would be implemented if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO or is changed and not accepted by the Ohio Companies. On September 16, 2008, the PUCO staff filed testimony and evidentiary hearings were held. The PUCO failed to act on October 29, 2008 as required under the statute. The Ohio Companies are unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding.

In July and August 2008, the PUCO staff issued three sets of proposed rules for comment to implement portions of SB221. Written comments and reply comments on the three sets of proposed rules were filed during the third quarter of 2008. Following the comment period, the PUCO considers the input from stakeholders before adopting the final rules. The rules are then subject to review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which conducts a 65-day review process. The rules become effective 10 days following the Committee’s review. On September 17, 2008, the PUCO issued a final order adopting the first set of rules. A PUCO order adopting the second set of rules was issued on November 5, 2008.

RCP Fuel Remand

On August 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies submitted a filing to suspend the procedural schedule in their application to recover their 2006-2007 deferred fuel costs and associated carrying charges, as the ESP filing contains a proposal addressing the recovery of these deferred fuel costs. On August 25, 2008, the PUCO ordered that the evidentiary hearing scheduled for September 29, 2008, would be held at a later date. A revised case schedule has yet to be issued.

3


Pennsylvania Legislative Process

On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which becomes effective on November 14, 2008, as Act 129 of 2008. The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; and smart meters and alternative energy. Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009, and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009.

Major provisions of the legislation include:
·  power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

·  the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, request for proposals, and/or bilateral agreements;

·  utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

·  a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;

·  minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

·  an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.

Penn’s Interim Default Service Supply

On October 21, 2008, Penn held its third RFP to procure default service for residential customers for the period June 2009 through May 2010. A fourth RFP for the remainder of residential customers’ load for the period June 2009 through May 2010 is scheduled for January 2009. The results of the four RFPs will be averaged and adjusted for the line losses, administrative fees and gross receipts tax, and will be reflected in Penn’s new default service rates.

Met-Ed and Penelec Rate Cases

Several parties to the Met-Ed and Penelec 2006 rate case proceeding filed Petitions for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in 2007, asking the Court to review the PPUC’s determination on several issues including: the recovery of transmission costs (including congestion); the transmission deferral; consolidated tax savings; the requested generation increase; and recovery of universal service costs from only the residential rate class. The Commonwealth Court issued its decision on November 7, 2008, FirstEnergy sold substantiallywhich affirmed the PPUC's January 11, 2007 order in all respects, including the deferral and recovery of transmission and congestion related costs.

Met-Ed and Penelec Prepayment Plan

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a voluntary prepayment plan with the PPUC. The plan offers qualified residential and small business customers the option to gradually phase-in future generation price increases by making modest prepayments during the next two years, before rate caps expire at the end of 2010. Each month, customers who elect to participate would prepay an amount equal to approximately 9.6% of their electric bill. Prepayments would earn 7.5% interest and be applied to customers’ billings in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed and Penelec requested that the PPUC approve the plan by mid-December 2008.

Solar Renewable Energy

On September 30, 2008, JCP&L filed a proposal in response to an NJBPU directive addressing solar project development in the State of New Jersey. Under the proposal, JCP&L would enter into long-term agreements to buy and sell Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) to provide a stable basis for financing solar generation projects. An SREC represents the solar energy attributes of one megawatt-hour of generation from a solar generation facility that has been certified by the NJBPU Office of Clean Energy. Under this proposal JCP&L would solicit SRECs to satisfy approximately 60%, 50%, and 40% of the assetsincremental SREC purchases needed in its service territory through 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, to meet the Renewable Portfolio Standards adopted by the NJBPU in 2006. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

4



New Jersey Energy Master Plan

On October 22, 2008, the Governor of New Jersey released the details of New Jersey’s EMP, which includes goals to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 20% by 2020, reduce peak demand by 5,700 MW by 2020, meet 30% of the state's electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020, and examine smart grid technology. The EMP outlines a series of goals and action items to meet set targets, while also continuing to develop the clean energy industry in New Jersey. The Governor will establish a State Energy Council to implement the recommendations outlined in the plan.

Operational Matters

Record Generation Output

FirstEnergy Telecom Services, Inc. to FirstComset a new quarterly generation output record of 22.2 million megawatt-hours during the third quarter of 2008, a 3.2% increase over the previous record established in the third quarter of 2006. This generation record reflects a quarterly all-time high for $45the nuclear fleet.

September Windstorm

On September 14, 2008, the remnants of Hurricane Ike swept through Ohio and western Pennsylvania and produced unexpectedly high winds, reaching nearly 80 mph. More than one million customers of OE, CEI, Penn and Penelec were affected by the windstorm, which produced the largest storm-related outage in cash, with FirstCom also assuming related liabilities. The sale resulted in an after-tax gainthe history of any of those companies. Storm expenses totaled approximately $0.06 per share. FirstEnergy is a 15.6% shareholder in FirstCom.$30 million, of which $19 million was recognized as capital and $11 million as O&M expense.  

FIRSTENERGY’S BUSINESS

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, that operates primarily through three core business segments (see Results of Operations).

·  
Energy Delivery Services transmits and distributes electricity through FirstEnergy’s eight utility operating companies, serving 4.5 million customers within 36,100 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and purchases power for its PLR and default service requirements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This business segment derives its revenues principally from the delivery of electricity within FirstEnergy’s service areas at regulated rates, cost recovery of regulatory assets and the sale of electric generation service to retail customers who have not selected an alternative supplier (default service) in its Pennsylvania and New Jersey franchise areas. The segment’s net income reflects the commodity costs of securing electricity from FirstEnergy’s competitive energy services segment under partial requirements purchased power agreements with FES and from non-affiliated power suppliers, including, in each case, associated transmission costs.

·  
Competitive Energy Services supplies the electric power needs of end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements, including associated company power sales to meet all or a portion of the PLR and default service requirements of FirstEnergy’s Ohio and Pennsylvania utility subsidiaries and competitive retail sales to customers primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Michigan. This business segment owns or leases and operates 19 generating facilities with a net demonstrated capacity of approximately 13,664 MW and also purchases electricity to meet sales obligations. The segment's net income is primarily derived from affiliated company power sales and non-affiliated electric generation sales revenues less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO to deliver energy to the segment’s customers.

·  
Ohio Transitional Generation Services supplies the electric power needs of non-shopping customers under the default service requirements of the Ohio Companies. The segment's net income is primarily derived from electric generation sales revenues less the cost of power purchased from the competitive energy services segment through a full-requirements PSA arrangement with FES, including net transmission and ancillary costs charged by MISO to deliver energy to retail customers.

 
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The financial results discussed below include revenues and expenses from transactions among FirstEnergy's business segments. A reconciliation of segment financial results is provided in Note 1314 to the consolidated financial statements. Net income by major business segment was as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Three Months Ended     Increase   Increase 
March 31, Increase 2008 2007 (Decrease) 2008 2007 (Decrease) 
2008 2007 (Decrease) (In millions, except per share data) 
Net Income(In millions, except per share data)             
By Business Segment      
By Business Segment:            
Energy delivery services
 $179  $218  $(39)$283 $269 $14 $655 $695 $(40)
Competitive energy services
  87   98   (11) 164 148  16  317  388  (71)
Ohio transitional generation services
  23   24   (1) 19 16 3  62 69 (7)
Other and reconciling adjustments*
  (13)  (50)  37  5  (20) 25  (24)  (111) 87 
Total
 $276  $290  $(14)$471 $413 $58 $1,010 $1,041 $(31)
                             
Basic Earnings Per Share
 $0.91  $0.92  $(0.01)$1.55 $1.36 $0.19 $3.32 $3.39 $(0.07)
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 $0.90  $0.92  $(0.02)$1.54 $1.34 $0.20 $3.29 $3.35 $(0.06)

* Consists primarily of interest expense related to holding company debt, corporate support services revenues and expenses, telecommunications services and elimination of intersegment transactions.

Summary of Results of Operations – FirstThird Quarter 2008 Compared with FirstThird Quarter 2007

Financial results for FirstEnergy's major business segments in the first three monthsthird quarter of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

        Ohio       
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and    
  Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy 
Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
Revenues:               
External               
Electric $2,487  $381  $781  $-  $3,649 
Other  170   79   32   (26)  255 
Internal  -   786   -   (786)  - 
Total Revenues  2,657   1,246   813   (812)  3,904 
                     
Expenses:                    
Fuel  -   356   -   -   356 
Purchased power  1,248   221   623   (786)  1,306 
Other operating expenses  430   285   110   (31)  794 
Provision for depreciation  99   67   -   2   168 
Amortization of regulatory assets  263   -   28   -   291 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (76)  -   18   -   (58)
General taxes  169   26   1   5   201 
Total Expenses  2,133   955   780   (810)  3,058 
                     
Operating Income  524   291   33   (2)  846 
Other Income (Expense):                    
Investment income  48   13   1   (22)  40 
Interest expense  (102)  (44)  (1)  (45)  (192)
Capitalized interest  1   13   -   1   15 
Total Other Expense  (53)  (18)  -   (66)  (137)
                     
Income Before Income Taxes  471   273   33   (68)  709 
Income taxes  188   109   14   (73)  238 
Net Income $283  $164  $19  $5  $471 

        Ohio       
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and    
  Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy 
First Quarter 2008 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
Revenues:               
External               
Electric $2,050  $289  $691  $-  $3,030 
Other  162   40   16   29   247 
Internal  -   776   -   (776)  - 
Total Revenues  2,212   1,105   707   (747)  3,277 
                     
Expenses:                    
Fuel and purchased power  983   533   588   (776)  1,328 
Other operating expenses  445   309   77   (31)  800 
Provision for depreciation  106   53   -   5   164 
Amortization of regulatory assets  249   -   9   -   258 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (100)  -   (5)  -   (105)
General taxes  173   32   1   9   215 
Total Expenses  1,856   927   670   (793)  2,660 
                     
Operating Income  356   178   37   46   617 
Other Income (Expense):                    
Investment income  45   (6)  1   (23)  17 
Interest expense  (103)  (34)  -   (42)  (179)
Capitalized interest  -   7   -   1   8 
Total Other Income (Expense)  (58)  (33)  1   (64)  (154)
                     
Income Before Income Taxes  298   145   38   (18)  463 
Income taxes  119   58   15   (5)  187 
Net Income $179  $87  $23  $(13) $276 
 
46

 


       Ohio              Ohio       
 Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and     Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and    
 Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy  Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy 
First Quarter 2007 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Revenues:                              
External                              
Electric $1,875  $276  $613  $-  $2,764  $2,340  $338  $716  $-  $3,394 
Other  165   45   6   (7)  209   180   32   7   28   247 
Internal  -   714   -   (714)  -   -   806   -   (806)  - 
Total Revenues  2,040   1,035   619   (721)  2,973   2,520   1,176   723   (778)  3,641 
                                        
Expenses:                                        
Fuel and purchased power  844   447   544   (714)  1,121 
Fuel  2   325   -   -   327 
Purchased power  1,114   229   631   (806)  1,168 
Other operating expenses  408   300   49   (8)  749   436   264   80   (24)  756 
Provision for depreciation  98   51   -   7   156   102   51   -   9   162 
Amortization of regulatory assets  246   -   5   -   251   279   -   9   -   288 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (124)  -   (20)  -   (144)  (82)  -   (25)  -   (107)
General taxes  165   28   2   8   203   166   26   1   4   197 
Total Expenses  1,637   826   580   (707)  2,336   2,017   895   696   (817)  2,791 
                                        
Operating Income  403   209   39   (14)  637   503   281   27   39   850 
Other Income (Expense):                                        
Investment income  70   3   1   (41)  33   58   5   -   (33)  30 
Interest expense  (109)  (52)  (1)  (23)  (185)  (120)  (44)  -   (39)  (203)
Capitalized interest  2   3   -   -   5   3   5   -   1   9 
Total Other income (Expense)  (37)  (46)  -   (64)  (147)
Total Other Expense  (59)  (34)  -   (71)  (164)
                                        
Income Before Income Taxes  366   163   39   (78)  490   444   247   27   (32)  686 
Income taxes  148   65   15   (28)  200   175   99   11   (12)  273 
Net Income $218  $98  $24  $(50) $290  $269  $148  $16  $(20) $413 
                                        
                                        
Changes Between First Quarter 2008 and                    
First Quarter 2007 Financial Results                    
Changes Between Third Quarter 2008 and                    
Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results                    
Increase (Decrease)                                        
                                        
Revenues:                                        
External                                        
Electric $175  $13  $78  $-  $266  $147  $43  $65  $-  $255 
Other  (3)  (5)  10   36   38   (10)  47   25   (54)  8 
Internal  -   62   -   (62)  -   -   (20)  -   20   - 
Total Revenues  172   70   88   (26)  304   137   70   90   (34)  263 
                                        
Expenses:                                        
Fuel and purchased power  139   86   44   (62)  207 
Fuel  (2)  31   -   -   29 
Purchased power  134   (8)  (8)  20   138 
Other operating expenses  37   9   28   (23)  51   (6)  21   30   (7)  38 
Provision for depreciation  8   2   -   (2)  8   (3)  16   -   (7)  6 
Amortization of regulatory assets  3   -   4   -   7   (16)  -   19   -   3 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  24   -   15   -   39   6   -   43   -   49 
General taxes  8   4   (1)  1   12   3   -   -   1   4 
Total Expenses  219   101   90   (86)  324   116   60   84   7   267 
                                        
Operating Income  (47)  (31)  (2)  60   (20)  21   10   6   (41)  (4)
Other Income (Expense):                                        
Investment income  (25)  (9)  -   18   (16)  (10)  8   1   11   10 
Interest expense  6   18   1   (19)  6   18   -   (1)  (6)  11 
Capitalized interest  (2)  4   -   1   3   (2)  8   -   -   6 
Total Other Income (Expense)  (21)  13   1   -   (7)
Total Other Expense  6   16   -   5   27 
                                        
Income Before Income Taxes  (68)  (18)  (1)  60   (27)  27   26   6   (36)  23 
Income taxes  (29)  (7)  -   23   (13)  13   10   3   (61)  (35)
Net Income $(39) $(11) $(1) $37  $(14) $14  $16  $3  $25  $58 

 
57



Energy Delivery Services – FirstThird Quarter 2008 Compared with FirstThird Quarter 2007

Net income decreased $39increased $14 million to $179$283 million in the first three monthsthird quarter of 2008 compared to $218$269 million in the first three monthsthird quarter of 2007, primarily due to higher operating expensesincreased revenues partially offset by increased revenues.higher purchased power costs.

Revenues –

The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:

 Three Months Ended    Three Months   
 March 31, Increase  Ended September 30, Increase 
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Distribution services
 
$
955
 
$
944
 
$
11
  
$
1,100
 
$
1,104
 
$
(4)
Generation sales:
                    
Retail
  
790
  
720
  
70
   
986
  
942
  44 
Wholesale
  
219
  
132
  
87
   
286
  
207
  79 
Total generation sales
  
1,009
  
852
  
157
   
1,272
  
1,149
  123 
Transmission
  
197
  
183
  
14
   
241
  
219
  22 
Other
  
51
  
61
  
(10
)  
44
  
48
  (4)
Total Revenues
 
$
2,212
 
$
2,040
 
$
172
  
$
2,657
 
$
2,520
 
$
137 


The changedecrease in distribution deliveries by customer class is summarized in the following table:

Electric Distribution KWH Deliveries  
Residential
 
2.4(1.9)
 %
Commercial
 
1.9(1.1)
 %
Industrial
 
(1.0(4.1)
)%
Total Distribution KWH Deliveries
 
1.2(2.3)
 %

The increasedecrease in electric distribution deliveries to residential and commercial customers was primarily due to increasedreduced weather-related usage in the Ohio Companies’ and Penn’s service territories during the first three monthsthird quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, (heatingas cooling degree days increased 2.4%)decreased 8.1%. The higher revenues from increased distributionIn the industrial sector, a decrease in deliveries wereto automotive and related manufacturers (23%) and refining customers (15%) was partially offset by an increase in usage by steel customers (4%). The reduction in distribution sales volume was partially offset by an increase in unit prices from the residual effects of the distribution rate decreases for Met-Ed and Penelec as a result of a January 11, 2007 PPUC rate decision (see Outlook – State Regulatory Matters – Pennsylvania).previous year.

The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the $157$123 million increase in generation revenues in the firstthird quarter of 2008 compared to the firstthird quarter of 2007:

Sources of Change in Generation Revenues
 
Increase
(Decrease)
  
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Retail:        
Effect of 0.7% decrease in sales volumes $(5)
Effect of 1.9 % decrease in sales volumes $(18)
Change in prices  
75
   
62
 
  
70
   
44
 
Wholesale:        
Effect of 8.9% increase in sales volumes  12 
Effect of 2.4% decrease in sales volumes  (5)
Change in prices  
75
   
84
 
  
87
   
79
 
Net Increase in Generation Revenues $157  $123 

The decrease in retail generation sales volumes was primarily due to an increase in customer shopping in Penn’s, Penelec’s and JCP&L’s service territories inand the first three months of 2008.weather-related impacts described above. The increase in retail generation prices during the first three monthsthird quarter of 2008 reflected increasedwas due to higher generation rates for JCP&L resulting from the New Jersey BGS auction process and an increase in NUGC rates authorized by the NJBPU. Wholesale generation sales increased principally as a result of Met-Ed and Penelec selling additional available power into the PJM market. The increase in wholesale prices reflected higher spot market prices for PJM market participants.

8



Transmission revenues increased $14$22 million primarily due to higher transmission rates for Met-Ed and Penelec resulting from the January 2007 PPUC authorization of transmission cost recovery.annual update to their TSC riders, which became effective June 1, 2008. Met-Ed and Penelec defer the difference between revenues from their transmission rider and transmission costs incurred with no material effect on current period earnings (see Outlook – State Regulatory Matters – Pennsylvania).

6



Expenses –

The increases in revenues discussed above were offset by a $219$116 million increase in expenses due to the following:

 ·
Purchased power costs were $139$134 million higher in the first three monthsthird quarter of 2008 due to higher unit costs and a decrease in the amount of NUG costs deferred. The increased unit costs reflected the effect of higher JCP&L costs resulting from the BGS auction process. JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. The following table summarizes the sources of changes in purchased power costs:

Source of Change in Purchased Power 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Purchases from non-affiliates:    
Change due to increased unit costs
 $84 
Change due to decreased volumes
  (18)
   66 
Purchases from FES:    
Change due to decreased unit costs
  (4)
Change due to increased volumes
  17 
   13 
     
Decrease in NUG costs deferred  60 
Net Increase in Purchased Power Costs $139 
Source of Change in Purchased Power
Increase
(Decrease)
(In millions)
Purchases from non-affiliates:
Change due to increased unit costs
$           146
Change due to decreased volumes
           (45)
           101
Purchases from FES:
Change due to decreased unit costs
            (6)
Change due to decreased volumes
          (10)
          (16)
Decrease in NUG costs deferred             49
Net Increase in Purchased Power Costs$           134


·Other operating expenses decreased $6 million due primarily to the net effects of the following:

-  an increase in storm-related costs (including labor) of $9 million;

-  an increase in other labor expenses of $3 million primarily due to increased hiring since the third quarter of 2007 as a result of the segment’s workforce initiatives;

-  a $7 million increase in costs allocated to capital projects;

-  reduced vegetation management expenses of $5 million;  and

-  
a $4 million decrease in uncollectible expense.

·Amortization of regulatory assets decreased by $16 million due primarily to the full recovery of certain regulatory assets since the third quarter of 2007.

·The deferral of new regulatory assets during the third quarter of 2008 was $6 million lower primarily due to a reduction in the amount of deferred distribution costs.
                ·  
Depreciation expense decreased $3 million due to a change in estimate for the asset retirement obligation for OE’s retired Toronto and Gorge plants.

                ·  General taxes increased $3 million due to higher gross receipts and property taxes.
9



Other Expense –

Other expense decreased $6 million in the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to lower interest expense (net of capitalized interest) of $16 million due to redemptions of pollution control notes and term notes. Lower investment income of $10 million, resulting from the repayment of notes receivable from affiliates since the third quarter of 2007, partially offset the interest expense reduction.

Competitive Energy Services – Third Quarter 2008 Compared with Third Quarter 2007

Net income for this segment was $164 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to $148 million in the same period in 2007. The $16 million increase in net income reflects an increase in gross generation margin and investment income partially offset by higher operating costs.

Revenues –

Total revenues increased $70 million in the third quarter of 2008 due to higher non-affiliated generation sales and transmission revenues, partially offset by reduced volumes on affiliated generation sales.

The net increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:

  Three Months Ended   
  September 30, Increase 
Revenues By Type of Service 2008 2007 (Decrease) 
  (In millions) 
Non-Affiliated Generation Sales:
       
Retail
 
$
          171 
$
189
 
$
         (18)
Wholesale
            210  
149
              61 
Total Non-Affiliated Generation Sales
            381  
338
              43 
Affiliated Generation Sales
            786  
806
           (20
)
Transmission
              47  
26
              21 
Other
              32  
6
              26 
Total Revenues
 
$
       1,246 
$
1,176
 
$
            70 

The lower retail revenues resulted from decreased sales in the PJM market due primarily to lower contract renewals for commercial and industrial customers. Higher non-affiliated wholesale revenues resulted from the effect of increased generation available for sale to that market as total generation output increased by 6.4% from the third quarter of 2007. An increase in prices for non-affiliated wholesale sales, reflecting higher capacity prices, also contributed to the revenue increase.

The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues from generation sales:

Source of Change in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Retail:    
Effect of 14.2% decrease in sales volumes
 $(27)
Change in prices
  
9
 
   
(18
)
Wholesale:    
Effect of 28.8% increase in sales volumes
  43 
Change in prices
  
18
 
   
61
 
Net Increase in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
43
 


10



Source of Change in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Ohio Companies:    
Effect of 3.6% decrease in sales volumes
 $(22)
Change in prices
  
19
 
   
(3
)
Pennsylvania Companies:    
Effect of 5.9% decrease in sales volumes
  (11)
Change in prices
  
(6
)
   
(17
)
Net Decrease in Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
(20
)

The decreased affiliated company generation revenues were due to reduced volumes partially offset by higher unit prices for the Ohio Companies. The higher unit prices reflected increases in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates. The reduction in PSA sales volume to the Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies was due to the milder weather and industrial sales changes discussed above and reduced default service requirements in Penn’s service territory as a result of its RFP process (see Outlook – State Regulatory Matters – Pennsylvania).

Transmission revenues increased $21 million due primarily to an increase in transmission prices in the MISO and PJM markets. Other revenues increased by $26 million due to NGC’s purchase of certain lessor equity interests in the sale and leaseback of Perry and Beaver Valley Unit 2 that continue to be leased to OE and TE.

Expenses -

Total expenses increased $60 million in the third quarter of 2008 due to the following factors:

       ·  Fossil fuel costs increased $50 million due to higher unit prices and increased generation volumes. The increased unit prices primarily reflect higher western coal transportation costs (including surcharges for increased diesel fuel prices) in the third quarter of 2008. The increase in fossil fuel costs was partially offset by a $25 million adjustment resulting from the annual coal inventory that reduced expense. Nuclear fuel expense increased $6 million due to increased generation;

·Purchased power costs decreased $8 million due to reduced volume requirements partially offset by higher market prices;

       ·  Other operating expenses were $21 million higher due primarily to a $13 million charge associated with a cancelled fossil project, an increase in nuclear operating costs of $5 million and a $5 million increase in uncollectible expense, partially offset by a $5 million reduction in transmission expense.

·Higher depreciation expense of $16 million was due to the assignment of the Bruce Mansfield Plant leasehold interests to FGCO and NGC’s purchase of certain lessor equity interests in the sale and leaseback of Perry and Beaver Valley Unit 2.

Other Expense –

Total other expense in the third quarter of 2008 was $16 million lower than the third quarter of 2007, primarily due to a $9 million increase in net earnings from nuclear decommissioning trust investments and higher capitalized interest of $8 million due to a higher level of fossil capital projects in progress.

Ohio Transitional Generation Services – Third Quarter 2008 Compared with Third Quarter 2007

Net income for this segment increased to $19 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $16 million in the same period of 2007. Higher generation revenues were partially offset by higher operating expenses and lower deferrals of new regulatory assets.

11


Revenues –

The increase in reported segment revenues resulted from the following sources:

  Three Months Ended   
  September 30,   
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 Increase 
  (In millions) 
Generation sales:
       
Retail
 
$
675
 
$
622
 
$
53
 
Wholesale
  
4
  
3
  
1
 
Total generation sales
  
679
  
625
  
54
 
Transmission
  
134
  
98
  
36
 
Total Revenues
 
$
813
 
$
723
 
$
90
 

The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the net increase in sales revenues from retail customers:

Source of Change in Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Effect of 3.1% decrease in sales volumes
 $(19)
Change in prices
  
72
 
 Total Increase in Retail Generation Revenues 
$
53
 

The decrease in generation sales volume was primarily due to lower weather-related usage in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, partially offset by reduced customer shopping. In the industrial sector, a decrease in generation sales to automotive and related manufacturers (23%) and refining customers (15%) was partially offset by an increase in usage by steel customers (2%). The percentage of generation services provided by alternative suppliers to total sales delivered by the Ohio Companies in their service areas decreased to 15.2% in the third quarter of 2008 from 15.5% in the same period in 2007. Average prices increased primarily due to an increase in the Ohio Companies’ fuel cost recovery rider that became effective in January 2008.

Increased transmission revenue resulted from a PUCO-approved transmission tariff increase that became effective July 1, 2008, and higher MISO transmission revenue.

Expenses -

Purchased power costs were $8 million lower in the third quarter of 2008 due primarily to reduced volume requirements. The factors contributing to the net decrease are summarized in the following table:

Source of Change in Purchased Power
Increase
(Decrease)
(In millions)
Purchases from non-affiliates:
Change due to decreased unit costs
$            (1)
Change due to decreased volumes
            (3)
            (4)
Purchases from FES:
Change due to increased unit costs
             19
Change due to decreased volumes
          (23)
            (4)
Net Decrease in Purchased Power Costs$            (8)

The decrease in purchase volumes from FES was due to the lower retail generation sales requirements described above. The higher unit costs reflect the increases in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates, as provided for under the PSA with FES.

Other operating expenses increased $30 million due primarily to higher MISO transmission-related expenses. The difference between transmission revenues accrued and transmission expenses incurred is deferred, resulting in no material impact to current period earnings.

12



The deferral of new regulatory assets decreased by $43 million and the amortization of regulatory assets increased $19 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. MISO transmission deferrals and RCP fuel deferrals each decreased as more transmission and generation costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders.

Other – Third Quarter 2008 Compared with Third Quarter 2007

Financial results from other operating segments and reconciling items resulted in a $25 million increase in FirstEnergy’s net income in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The increase resulted primarily from income tax benefits associated with the settlement of tax positions taken on federal returns in prior years, and from lower taxes payable upon filing the 2007 federal income tax return in 2008 compared to the amount initially estimated last year. The income tax benefits were partially offset by the absence of the gain from the sale of First Communications ($13 million, net of taxes) in 2007.

Summary of Results of Operations – First Nine Months of 2008 Compared with the First Nine Months of 2007

Financial results for FirstEnergy's major business segments in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
        Ohio       
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and    
  Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy 
First Nine Months 2008 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
Revenues:               
External               
Electric $6,567  $994  $2,142  $-  $9,703 
Other  484   170   61   8   723 
Internal  -   2,266   -   (2,266)  - 
Total Revenues  7,051   3,430   2,203   (2,258)  10,426 
                     
Expenses:                    
Fuel  1   999   -   -   1,000 
Purchased power  3,228   648   1,766   (2,266)  3,376 
Other operating expenses  1,288   906   268   (87)  2,375 
Provision for depreciation  309   179   -   12   500 
Amortization of regulatory assets  747   -   48   -   795 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (274)  -   13   -   (261)
General taxes  491   82   4   19   596 
Total Expenses  5,790   2,814   2,099   (2,322)  8,381 
                     
Operating Income  1,261   616   104   64   2,045 
Other Income (Expense):                    
Investment income  133   (1)  1   (60)  73 
Interest expense  (305)  (116)  (1)  (137)  (559)
Capitalized interest  2   30   -   4   36 
Total Other Expense  (170)  (87)  -   (193)  (450)
                     
Income Before Income Taxes  1,091   529   104   (129)  1,595 
Income taxes  436   212   42   (105)  585 
Net Income $655  $317  $62  $(24) $1,010 

13



        Ohio       
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional  Other and    
  Delivery  Energy  Generation  Reconciling  FirstEnergy 
First Nine Months 2007 Financial Results Services  Services  Services  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
Revenues:               
External               
Electric $6,148  $973  $1,942  $-  $9,063 
Other  507   116   26   11   660 
Internal  -   2,210   -   (2,210)  - 
Total Revenues  6,655   3,299   1,968   (2,199)  9,723 
                     
Expenses:                    
Fuel  4   883   -   -   887 
Purchased power  2,834   578   1,712   (2,210)  2,914 
Other operating expenses  1,255   839   218   (57)  2,255 
Provision for depreciation  301   153   -   23   477 
Amortization of regulatory assets  765   -   20   -   785 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (299)  -   (100)  -   (399)
General taxes  486   81   3   19   589 
Total Expenses  5,346   2,534   1,853   (2,225)  7,508 
                     
Operating Income  1,309   765   115   26   2,215 
Other Income (Expense):                    
Investment income  190   13   1   (111)  93 
Interest expense  (347)  (144)  (1)  (101)  (593)
Capitalized interest  7   13   -   1   21 
Total Other Expense  (150)  (118)  -   (211)  (479)
                     
Income Before Income Taxes  1,159   647   115   (185)  1,736 
Income taxes  464   259   46   (74)  695 
Net Income $695  $388  $69  $(111) $1,041 
                     
                     
Changes Between First Nine Months 2008                 
and First Nine Months 2007                    
Financial Results Increase (Decrease)                    
                     
Revenues:                    
External                    
Electric $419  $21  $200  $-  $640 
Other  (23)  54   35   (3)  63 
Internal  -   56   -   (56)  - 
Total Revenues  396   131   235   (59)  703 
                     
Expenses:                    
Fuel  (3)  116   -   -   113 
Purchased power  394   70   54   (56)  462 
Other operating expenses  33   67   50   (30)  120 
Provision for depreciation  8   26   -   (11)  23 
Amortization of regulatory assets  (18)  -   28   -   10 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  25   -   113   -   138 
General taxes  5   1   1   -   7 
Total Expenses  444   280   246   (97)  873 
                     
Operating Income  (48)  (149)  (11)  38   (170)
Other Income (Expense):                    
Investment income  (57)  (14)  -   51   (20)
Interest expense  42   28   -   (36)  34 
Capitalized interest  (5)  17   -   3   15 
Total Other Expense  (20)  31   -   18   29 
                     
Income Before Income Taxes  (68)  (118)  (11)  56   (141)
Income taxes  (28)  (47)  (4)  (31)  (110)
Net Income $(40) $(71) $(7) $87  $(31)

14


Energy Delivery Services – First Nine Months of 2008 Compared to First Nine Months of 2007

Net income decreased $40 million to $655 million in the first nine months of 2008 compared to $695 million in the first nine months of 2007, primarily due to increased operating expenses and lower investment income partially offset by higher revenues.

Revenues –

The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:

  Nine Months Ended   
  September 30, Increase 
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 (Decrease) 
  (In millions) 
Distribution services
 
$
      2,974
 
$
2,996
 
$
       (22)
Generation sales:
          
   Retail
  
      2,548
  
2,417
         131 
   Wholesale
  
         758
  
489
         269 
Total generation sales
  
      3,306
  
2,906
         400 
Transmission
  
         633
  
595
           38 
Other
  
         138
  
158
         (20)
Total Revenues
 
$
      7,051
 
$
6,655
 
$
       396 

The decrease in distribution deliveries by customer class are summarized in the following table:

Electric Distribution KWH Deliveries
Residential
          (1.3)
%
Commercial
          (0.5)
%
Industrial
          (1.8)
%
Total Distribution KWH Deliveries
          (1.2)
%

The decrease in electric distribution deliveries to residential and commercial customers was primarily due to lower weather-related usage during the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, as cooling degree days decreased by 9.0% and heating degree days decreased by 2.6%. In the industrial sector, a decrease in deliveries to automotive and related manufacturers (16%) and refining customers (2%) was partially offset by an increase in usage by steel customers (5%).

The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the $400 million increase in generation revenues in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007:

  Increase  
Sources of Change in Generation Revenues (Decrease)  
  (In millions)  
Retail:     
  Effect of 2.2% decrease in sales volumes $(54) 
  Change in prices  
185
  
   
131
  
Wholesale:     
  Effect of 2.8% increase in sales volumes  14  
  Change in prices  
255
  
   
269
  
Net Increase in Generation Revenues $400  

The decrease in retail generation sales volumes reflected an increase in customer shopping in Penn’s, Penelec’s, and JCP&L’s service territories and the weather-related impacts described above. The increase in retail generation prices during the first nine months of 2008 was due to higher generation rates for JCP&L resulting from the New Jersey BGS auction process and an increase in NUGC rates authorized by the NJBPU. Wholesale generation sales increased principally as a result of Met-Ed and Penelec selling additional available power into the PJM market. The increase in wholesale prices reflected higher spot market prices for PJM market participants.

Transmission revenues increased $38 million primarily due to higher transmission rates for Met-Ed and Penelec resulting from the January 2007 PPUC authorization of transmission cost recovery and the annual update to their TSC riders, which became effective June 1, 2008. Met-Ed and Penelec defer the difference between revenues from their transmission rider and transmission costs incurred with no material effect on current period earnings (see Outlook – State Regulatory Matters – Pennsylvania).

15



Expenses –

The net increases in revenues discussed above were more than offset by a $444 million increase in expenses due to the following:

·
Purchased power costs were $394 million higher in the first nine months of 2008 due to higher unit costs and a decrease in the amount of NUG costs deferred. The increased unit costs primarily reflected the effect of higher JCP&L costs resulting from the BGS auction process. JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. The following table summarizes the sources of changes in purchased power costs:

Source of Change in Purchased Power
Increase
(Decrease)
(In millions)
Purchases from non-affiliates:
Change due to increased unit costs
$           369
Change due to decreased volumes
          (83)
          286
Purchases from FES:
Change due to decreased unit costs
          (12)
Change due to decreased volumes
            (1)
          (13)
Decrease in NUG costs deferred           121
Net Increase in Purchased Power Costs$           394


 ·
Other operating expenses increased $37$33 million due primarily to the net effects of:

-  
Anan increase of $15 million in MISO and PJM transmission expenses, resulting primarily from higher congestion costs (see transmission revenues discussion above).

-  
An increase in operation and maintenance expenses of $11$17 million for storm restoration work duringcosts (including labor) associated with three major storms experienced in FirstEnergy’s service territories in the first quarternine months of 2008.

-  
Anan increase in other labor expenses of $9$19 million primarily due to an increase in the number of employees in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of the segment’s workforce initiatives.

 ·An increase of $3 million in amortizationAmortization of regulatory assets compared to 2007decreased $18 million due primarily to the complete recovery of deferred BGS costs through higher NUGC ratescertain regulatory assets for JCP&L.&L since the third quarter of 2007.

 ·The deferral of new regulatory assets during the first threenine months of 2008 was $24$25 million lower primarily due to the absence of the one-time deferral in 2007 of decommissioning costs related to the Saxton nuclear research facility.

        ·  
·  
DepreciationHigher depreciation expense increasedof $8 million due to property additionsresulted from additional capital projects placed in service since the firstthird quarter of 2007.

·  
General taxes increased $8$5 million due to higher property taxes and gross receipts and property taxes.


Other Expense –

Other expense increased $21$20 million in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first three months of 2007 primarily due to lower investment income of $25$57 million, resulting primarily from the repayment of notes receivable from affiliates since the firstthird quarter of 2007, partially offset by lower interest expense (net of capitalized interest) of $4$37 million.

Competitive Energy Services – First QuarterNine Months of 2008 Compared withto First QuarterNine Months of 2007

Net income for this segment was $87$317 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to $98$388 million in the same period in 2007. The $11$71 million reduction in net income reflects a decrease in gross generation margin and higher other operating costs, which were partially offset by lower interest expense.


 
716

 

Revenues –

Total revenues increased $70$131 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. This increase primarily resulted from higher unit prices on affiliated generation sales to the Ohio Companies and increased non-affiliated wholesale sales, which were partially offset by lower retail sales.

The increase in reported segment revenues resulted from the following sources:

 Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
 March 31, Increase  September 30, Increase 
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Non-Affiliated Generation Sales:
              
Retail
 
$
160
 
$
174
 
$
(14
) 
$
485
 
$
547
 
$
(62
)
Wholesale
  
129
  
103
  
26
   
509
  
426
  
83
 
Total Non-Affiliated Generation Sales
  
289
  
277
  
12
   
994
  
973
  
21
 
Affiliated Generation Sales
  
776
  
714
  
62
   
2,266
  
2,210
  
56
 
Transmission
  
33
  
23
  
10
   
113
  
71
  
42
 
Other
  
7
  
21
  
(14
)  
57
  
45
  
12
 
Total Revenues
 
$
1,105
 
$
1,035
 
$
70
  
$
3,430
 
$
3,299
 
$
131
 

The lower retail revenues resulted from decreased sales in the PJM market, partially offset by increased sales in the MISO market. The decrease in PJM retail sales is primarily the result of lower contract renewals for commercial and industrial customers. The increase in MISO retail sales is primarily the result of capturing more shopping customers in Penn’s service territory, partially offset by lower customer usage. Higher non-affiliated wholesale revenues resulted from the effect ofhigher capacity prices and increased generation available for the non-affiliated wholesale market.sales volumes in PJM, partially offset by decreased sales volumes in MISO.

The increased affiliated company generation revenues were due to increased sales volumes and higher unit prices for the Ohio Companies partially offset by lower unit prices for the Pennsylvania Companies. The increase in PSACompanies and decreased sales volumes to the Ohio Companies was due to their higher retail generation sales requirements.all affiliates. The higher unit prices reflected increases in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates. The higher sales toWhile unit prices for each of the Pennsylvania Companies weredid not change, the mix of sales among the companies caused the overall price to decline. The reduction in PSA sales volume to the Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies was due to increased Met-Edthe milder weather and Penelec generationindustrial sales requirements. These increases were partially offset by lower sales to Penn due tochanges discussed above and reduced default service requirements in Penn’s service territory as a 45% increase in customer shopping in the first quarterresult of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007.its RFP process (see Outlook – State Regulatory Matters – Pennsylvania).

The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues from generation sales:

 Increase 
Source of Change in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
  
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Retail:        
Effect of 9.0% decrease in sales volumes
 $(16)
Effect of 13.2% decrease in sales volumes
 $(73)
Change in prices
  
2
   
11
 
  
(14
)  
(62
)
Wholesale:        
Effect of 3.5% increase in sales volumes
  4 
Effect of 4.6% increase in sales volumes
  19 
Change in prices
  
22
   
64
 
  
26
   
83
 
Net Increase in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
12
  
$
21
 
   
 Increase 
Source of Change in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions) 
Ohio Companies:    
Effect of 1.7% decrease in sales volumes
 $(28)
Change in prices
  
97
 
  
69
 
Pennsylvania Companies:    
Effect of 0.2% decrease in sales volumes
  (1)
Change in prices
  
(12
)
  
(13
)
Net Increase in Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
56
 


Source of Change in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Ohio Companies:    
Effect of 1.2% increase in sales volumes
 $6 
Change in prices
  
44
 
   
50
 
Pennsylvania Companies:    
Effect of 9.0% increase in sales volumes
  16 
Change in prices
  
(4
)
   
12
 
Net Increase in Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
62
 

Transmission revenues increased $42 million due primarily to higher transmission rates in MISO and PJM.

 
817

 

Transmission revenues increased $10 million due to increased retail load in the MISO market and higher transmission rates ($12 million), partially offset by reduced financial transmission rights auction revenue ($2 million). Other revenue decreased $14 million primarily due to lower interest income from short-term investments.

Expenses -

Total expenses increased $101$280 million in the first threenine months of 2008 due to the following factors:

       ·  Fossil fuel costs increased $68$133 million due to increased generation volumes ($37 million) and higher unit prices ($31135 million) partially offset by lower generation volume ($2 million). The increased unit prices primarily reflect higher western coal transportation costs, ($24 million)increased rates for existing eastern coal contracts and increased emission allowance costs ($5 million) in the first quarternine months of 2008. The increase in fossil fuel costs was partially offset by a $25 million adjustment resulting from the annual coal inventory that reduced expense. Nuclear fuel expense was $8 million higher as nuclear generation increased in the first nine months of 2008.

 ·Purchased power costs increased $20$70 million due primarily to higher spot market rates,prices, partially offset by reduced volume requirements due to increased generation from internal resources.

 ·Nuclear operating costs increased $23 million due to this year’s Davis-Besse refueling outage and the preparatory work associated with the Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage scheduled for the second quarter of 2008.requirements.

 ·Nuclear operating costs increased $21 million in the first nine months of 2008 due to an additional refueling outage in 2008 compared with the 2007 period.

       ·  Fossil operating costs were $20 million higher due to a cancelled fossil project ($13 million), planned maintenance outages in 2008, employee benefits and reduced gains from emission allowance sales.

       ·  Other expenseoperating expenses increased $15$26 million due primarily to the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO in the fourth quarter of 2007 ($726 million) and reduced earnings on life insurance investmentshigher employee benefit costs during the first quarternine months of 2008 ($614 million), partially offset by lower transmission expense ($16 million).

 ·Higher depreciation expenses of $2$26 million were due to property additions since the first quarterassignment of 2007.the Bruce Mansfield Plant leasehold interests to FGCO and NGC’s purchase of certain lessor equity interests in the sale and leaseback of Perry and Beaver Valley Unit 2.

       ·Higher general taxes of $4$1 million resulted from increased gross receipts taxes andhigher property taxes.

Partially offsetting the higher costs were:

 ·Fossil operating costs were $23 million lower due to fewer outages in 2008 compared to 2007 and increased gains on emission allowance sales.

·  Transmission expense declined $7 million due to reduced PJM congestion charges and a change in MISO revenue sufficiency guarantee settlements.

Other Expense –

Total other expense in the first threenine months of 2008 was $13$31 million lower than the first quarternine months of 2007, primarilyprincipally due to a decline in interest expense (net of capitalized interest) of $22$45 million due tofrom the repayment of notes payable to affiliates since the firstthird quarter of 2007, andpartially offset by a $2$14 million increasedecrease in net earnings from nuclear decommissioning trust investments partially offset by an $11 million increase in trustdue primarily to securities impairments.impairments resulting from market declines during the first nine months of 2008.

Ohio Transitional Generation Services – First QuarterNine Months of 2008 Compared withto First QuarterNine Months of 2007

Net income for this segment decreased to $23$62 million in the first threenine months of 2008 from $24$69 million in the same period of 2007. Higher operating expenses, primarily for purchased power, and a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets were almost entirelypartially offset by higher generation revenues.

Revenues –

The increase in reported segment revenues resulted from the following sources:

 Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
 March 31,    September 30   
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 Increase  2008 2007 Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Generation sales:
              
Retail
 
$
606
 
$
546
 
$
60
  
$
       1,868 
$
1,712
 
$
          156 
Wholesale
  
3
  
2
  
1
                 9  
7
                2 
Total generation sales
  
609
  
548
 
61
          1,877  
1,719
            158 
Transmission
  
93
  
71
 
22
             319  
248
              71 
Other
  
5
  
-
  
5
                 7  
1
                6 
Total Revenues
 
$
707
 
$
619
 
$
88
  
$
       2,203 
$
1,968
 
$
          235 


 
918

 


The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the net increase in sales revenues from retail customers:

Source of Change in Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
Source of Change in Generation Revenues
 
Increase
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Effect of 1.3% increase in sales volumes
 $7 
Retail:    
Effect of 1.4% decrease in sales volumes
 $(24)
Change in prices
  
53
   
180
 
Total Increase in Retail Generation Revenues 
$
60
  
$
156
 

The increasedecrease in generation sales volume in the first nine months of 2008 was primarily due to higher weather-related usage in the first three months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007milder weather and reduced customer shopping. HeatingCooling degree days in OE’s, CEI’s and TE’s service territories increasedfor the first nine months of 2008 decreased by 2.8%23.3%, 1.7%7.3% and 3.3%15.0%, respectively. Average prices increased primarily duerespectively, while heating degree days were relatively unchanged from the previous year. In the industrial sector, a decrease in generation sales to automotive and related manufacturers (16%) and refining customers (2%) was partially offset by an increase in the Ohio Companies’ fuel cost recovery rider that became effective in January 2008.usage by steel customers (1%). The percentage of generation services provided by alternative suppliers to total sales delivered by the Ohio Companies in their service areas decreased by 1.8 percentage pointsto 14.6% in the first nine months of 2008 from 15.1% in the same period in 2007. Average prices increased primarily due to an increase in the Ohio Companies’ fuel cost recovery riders that became effective in January 2008.

Increased transmission revenue resulted from higher sales volumes ($7 million) and a PUCO-approved transmission tariff increase ($15 million)increases that became effective July 1, 2007.2007 and July 1, 2008. The difference between transmission revenues accrued and transmission expenses incurred is deferred, resulting in no material impact to current period earnings.

Expenses -

Purchased power costs were $44$54 million higher due primarily to higher unit costs for power purchased from FES. The factors contributing to the higher costsnet increase are summarized in the following table:

 Increase 
Source of Change in Purchased Power 
Increase
(Decrease)
  (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Purchases from non-affiliates:        
Change due to increased unit costs
 $(5)
Change due to decreased unit costs
 $(3)
Change due to decreased volumes
  (1)  (13)
  (6)  (16)
Purchases from FES:        
Change due to increased unit costs
  44   98 
Change due to increased volumes
  6 
Change due to decreased volumes
  (28)
  50   70 
Net Increase in Purchased Power Costs $44  $54 


The increase in purchase volumes from FES was due to the higher retail generation sales requirements described above. The higher unit costs reflect the increases in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates, as provided for under the PSA with FES. The decrease in purchase volumes from FES was due to the lower retail generation sales requirements described above.

Other operating expenses increased $28$50 million due in partprimarily to higher net costs associated with the Ohio Companies’ generation leasehold interests and increased MISO transmission-related expenses ($12 million).expenses. The difference between transmission revenues accrued and transmission expenses incurred is deferred, resulting in no material impact to current period earnings.

The remainderdeferral of new regulatory assets decreased by $113 million and the increase resulted from lower associated company cost reimbursements relatedamortization of regulatory assets increased $28 million in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the Ohio Companies’same period in 2007. MISO transmission deferrals and RCP fuel deferrals decreased as more transmission and generation leasehold interests.costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders.

Other – First QuarterNine Months of 2008 Compared withto First QuarterNine Months of 2007

FirstEnergy’s financialFinancial results from other operating segments and reconciling items including interest expense on holding company debt and corporate support services revenues and expenses, resulted in a $37an $87 million increase in FirstEnergy’s net income in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The increase resulted primarily from a $19 million after-tax gain from the sale of telecommunication assets, a $10 million after-tax gain from the settlement of litigation relating to formerly-owned international assets, a $33 million reduction of interest expense associated with the revolving credit facility, and income tax adjustments associated with the favorable settlement of tax positions taken on federal returns in prior years. This increase was partially offset by the absence of the gain from the sale of First Communications ($1913 million, net of taxes), reduced short-term disability costs ($8 million) and reduced interest expense ($11 million) associated with FirstEnergy’s revolving credit facility. in 2007.

19


CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Despite recent unprecedented volatility in the capital markets, FirstEnergy expects its existing sources of liquidity to remain sufficient to meet its anticipated obligations and those of its subsidiaries. FirstEnergy’s business is capital intensive, requiring significant resources to fund operating expenses, construction expenditures, scheduled debt maturities and interest and dividend payments. InDuring the remainder of 2008 and in subsequent years, FirstEnergy expects to satisfy these requirements with a combination of cash from operations and funds from the capital markets. FirstEnergy also expects that borrowing capacity under credit facilities will continue to be available to manage working capital requirements during those periods.

FirstEnergy and certain of its subsidiaries have access to $2.75 billion of short-term financing under a revolving credit facility which expires in August 2012. A total of 25 banks participate in the facility, with no one bank having more than 7.3% of the total commitments. As of September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had $420 million of bank credit facilities in addition to the $2.75 billion revolving credit facility. On October 8, 2008, FirstEnergy obtained a new $300 million secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse to reinforce its liquidity in light of the unprecedented disruptions in the credit markets. On October 20, 2008, OE issued $300 million of FMBs to fund its capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. In addition, an aggregate of $550 million of accounts receivable financing facilities through the Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies may be accessed to meet working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. FirstEnergy’s available liquidity as of October 31, 2008, is described in the following table:

Company Type Maturity Commitment Available 
      (In millions) 
FirstEnergy(1)
 Revolving Aug. 2012 $2,750 404 
FirstEnergy and FES Revolving May 2009 300 300 
FirstEnergy Bank lines 
Various(2)
 120 20 
FGCO Term loan 
Oct. 2009(3)
 300 300 
Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies A/R financing 
Various(4)
 550 445 
    Subtotal: $4,020 $1,469 
    Cash: - 456 
    Total: $4,020 $1,925 

(1)FirstEnergy Corp. and subsidiary borrowers.
(2)$100 million matures November 30, 2009; $20 million uncommitted line of credit with no maturity date.
(3)Drawn amounts are payable within 30 days and may not be reborrowed.
(4)$370 million matures March 21, 2009; $180 million matures December 19, 2008 with an extension requested
 pending state regulatory approval of replacement facility.
In early October 2008, FirstEnergy took steps to further enhance its liquidity position by negotiating with the banks that have issued irrevocable direct pay LOCs in support of its outstanding variable interest rate PCRBs ($2.1 billion as of September 30, 2008) to extend the respective reimbursement obligations of the applicable FirstEnergy subsidiary obligors in the event that such LOCs are drawn upon. As discussed below, the LOCs supporting these PCRBs may be drawn upon to pay the purchase price to bondholders that have exercised the right to tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase. As a result of these negotiations, a total of approximately $902 million of LOCs that previously required reimbursement within 30 days or less of a draw under the applicable LOC have now been modified to extend the reimbursement obligations to six months or June 2009, as applicable.  The LOCs for FirstEnergy’s variable interest rate PCRBs were issued by seven banks, as summarized in the following table:

Aggregate LOC
Amount(5)Reimbursements of
LOC Bank(In millions)LOC Termination DateLOC Draws Due
Barclays Bank(1)
  149June 2009June 2009
Bank of America(1) (2)
101June 2009June 2009
The Bank of Nova Scotia(1)
255Beginning June 2010Shorter of 6 months or LOC termination date
The Royal Bank of Scotland(1)
131June 20126 months
KeyBank(1) (3)
266June 20106 months
Wachovia Bank648March 2009March 2009
Barclays Bank(4)
528Beginning December 201030 days
PNC Bank70Beginning December 20105 days
Total $  2,148
(1)Due dates for reimbursements of LOC draws for these banks were extended in October 2008 from 30
days or less to the dates indicated.
(2)Supported by 2 participating banks, with each having 50% of the total commitment.
(3)Supported by 4 participating banks, with the LOC bank having 62% of the total commitment.
(4)Supported by 17 participating banks, with no one bank having more than 14% of the total commitment.
(5)Includes approximately $22 million of applicable interest coverage.

 
1020

 


As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’s net deficit in working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was principally due to the initial short-term funding of the repurchase of certain auction rate bonds described belowborrowings ($2.4 billion) and the classification of certain variable interest rate PCRBs as currently payable long-term debt. The PCRBs currently permit individualCurrently payable long-term debt holders to putas of September 30, 2008 included the respective debt back to the issuer for purchase prior to maturity.following:

Currently Payable Long-term Debt    
   (In millions) 
PCRBs supported by bank LOCs (1)
 $2,126 
CEI FMBs (2)
  125 
CEI secured PCRBs (2)
  82 
Penelec unsecured notes (3)
  100 
NGC collateralized lease obligation bonds (4)
  37 
Sinking fund requirements (5)
  39 
  $2,509 
(1) Interest rate mode permits individual debt holders to put the respective debt back to the issuer prior to maturity.
(2) Redeemed in October 2008.
(3) Matures in April 2009.
(4) $4 million payable in the fourth quarter of 2008.
(5) $9 million payable in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Changes in Cash Position

FirstEnergy's primary source of cash required for continuing operations as a holding company is cash from the operations of its subsidiaries. FirstEnergy and certain of its subsidiaries also have access to $2.75 billion of short-term financing under a revolving credit facility which expires in 2012. Under the terms of the facility, FirstEnergy is permitted to have up to $1.5 billion in outstanding borrowings at any time, subject to the facility cap of $2.75 billion of aggregate outstanding borrowings by it and its subsidiaries that are also parties to such facility. In the first threenine months of 2008, FirstEnergy received $88$748 million of cash dividends from its subsidiaries and paid $168$503 million in cash dividends to common shareholders. With the exception of Met-Ed, which is currently in an accumulated deficit position, there are no material restrictions on the payment of cash dividends by the subsidiaries of FirstEnergy.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, net cash provided from operating and financing activities was $1.4 billion and $914 million, respectively and net cash used for investing activities was $2.3 billion. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had $70$181 million of cash and cash equivalents compared with $129 million as of December 31, 2007. Cash and cash equivalents consist of unrestricted, highly liquid instruments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less. As of September 30, 2008, approximately $132 million of cash and cash equivalents consisted of temporary overnight investments. The major sources of changes in these balances are summarized below.

Cash Flows Fromfrom Operating Activities

FirstEnergy's consolidated net cash from operating activities is provided primarily by its energy delivery services and competitive energy services businesses (see Results of Operations above). Net cash provided from operating activities was $356 million$1.4 billion and $1.2 billion in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to $57 million used for operating activities in the first three months ofand 2007, respectively, as summarized in the following table:

 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30, 
Operating Cash Flows
 2008 2007  2008 2007 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Net income $276 $290  $1,010 $1,041 
Non-cash charges  203  125   1,008  358 
Pension trust contribution  -  (300)  -  (300)
Working capital and other  (123) (172)  (590) 111 
 $356 $(57) $1,428 $1,210 


Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $413$218 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the first threenine months of 2007 primarily due to the absence of a $300 million pension trust contribution in 2007 and a $78$650 million increase in non-cash charges, andpartially offset by a $49$701 million increasedecrease from working capital and other changes partially offset byand a $14$31 million decrease in net income (see Results of Operations above).

21


The increase in non-cash charges is primarily due to lower deferrals of new regulatory assets and deferred purchased power costs.costs and higher deferred income taxes. The deferral of new regulatory assets decreased primarily as a result of the Ohio Companies’ transmission and fuel recovery riders that became effective in July 2007 and January 2008, respectively, and the absence of the deferral of decommissioning costs related to the Saxton nuclear research facility in the first quarter of 2007. DeferredLower deferrals of purchased power costs decreasedreflected a decrease in NUG costs deferred. The change in deferred income taxes is primarily due to additional tax depreciation as a resultprovided for under the Economic Stimulus Act of lower2008, the settlement of tax positions taken on federal returns in prior years, and the absence of deferred NUG costs.income tax impacts related to the Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction in 2007. The changes in working capital and other primarily resulted from higher fossil fuel inventories and increased tax payments, partially offset by a $149 million change in the collection of receivables and an $85 million change in the settlement of accounts payable, partially offset by increased tax payments compared to the first three months of 2007.receivables.

Cash Flows Fromfrom Financing Activities

In the first threenine months of 2008, cash provided from financing activities was $227$914 million compared to $346 millioncash used of $1.4 billion in the first threenine months of 2007. The decreaseincrease was primarily due to lowerhigher short-term borrowings primarily for capital expenditures for environmental compliance and debt issuancesto fund a number of strategic acquisitions, including the Fremont Plant ($275 million), Signal Peak ($125 million), and the purchase of lessor equity interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Perry ($438 million). The absence of the first quarter of 2008, partially offset by redemptionrepurchase of common stock in the first quarternine months of 2007.2007 also contributed to the increase in the 2008 period. The following table summarizes security issuances and redemptions.redemptions or repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 2007.

11




  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
Securities Issued or Redeemed
 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
New issues     
Unsecured notes $- $250 
        
Redemptions       
Pollution control notes(1)
 $362 $- 
Senior secured notes  6  13 
Common stock  -  891 
  $368 $904 
        
Short-term borrowings, net $746 $1,139 
        
(1) Includes the repurchase of certain auction rate PCRBs described below,
    which were extinguished from FirstEnergy’s consolidated balance sheet.
 
 
  Nine Months Ended 
Securities Issued or September 30, 
Redeemed / Repurchased
 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
New issues       
Pollution control notes $611 $- 
Unsecured notes  20  1,100 
  $631 $1,100 
Redemptions / Repurchases       
First mortgage bonds $1 $287 
Pollution control notes  534  4 
Senior secured notes  23  203 
Unsecured notes  175  153 
Common stock  -  918 
  $733 $1,565 

FirstEnergy had approximately $1.6$2.4 billion of short-term indebtedness as of March 31,September 30, 2008 compared to approximately $903 million as of December 31, 2007. Available bank borrowing capability as of March 31, 2008 included the following:

Borrowing Capability (In millions)
   
Short-term credit facilities(1)
 $2,870 
Accounts receivable financing facilities  550 
Utilized  (1,646)
LOCs  (60)
Net available capability  $1,714 
     
(1) Includes the  $2.75 billion revolving credit facility described below, a $100 million revolving credit facility that expires in December 2009 and a $20 million uncommitted line of credit.
As described above, FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries, FES and FGCO entered into a new $300 million secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse in October 2008. Under the facility, FGCO is the borrower and FES and FirstEnergy are guarantors. Generally, the facility is available to FGCO until October 7, 2009, with a minimum borrowing amount of $100 million and a maturity of 30 days from the date of the borrowing. Once repaid, borrowings may not be re-borrowed.

As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the Ohio Companies and Penn had the aggregate capability to issue approximately $3.4$3.6 billion of additional FMB on the basis of property additions and retired bonds under the terms of their respective mortgage indentures. The issuance of FMB by OE, CEI and TE is also subject to provisions of their senior note indentures generally limiting the incurrence of additional secured debt, subject to certain exceptions that would permit, among other things, the issuance of secured debt (including FMB) (i) supporting pollution control notes or similar obligations, or (ii) as an extension, renewal or replacement of previously outstanding secured debt. In addition, these provisions would permit OE, CEI and TE to incur additional secured debt not otherwise permitted by a specified exception of up to $573$448 million, $449$457 million and $121$120 million, respectively, as of March 31,September 30, 2008. On June 19, 2008, FGCO established an FMB indenture. Based upon its net earnings and available bondable property additions as of September 30, 2008, FGCO had the capability to issue $3.1 billion of additional FMB under the terms of that indenture. Met-Ed and Penelec had the capability to issue secured debt of approximately $363 million and $310 million, respectively, under provisions of their senior note indentures as of September 30, 2008.

The applicable earnings coverage tests in the respective charters of OE, TE, Penn and JCP&L are currently inoperative. In the event that any of them issues preferred stock in the future, the applicable earnings coverage test will govern the amount of preferred stock that may be issued. CEI, Met-Ed and Penelec do not have similar restrictions and could issue up to the number of preferred shares authorized under their respective charters.

As of March 31,On September 22, 2008, FirstEnergy had approximately $1.0 billion of remaining unused capacity underand the Utilities filed an existingautomatically effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in 2003for an unspecified number and amount of securities to support future securities issuances.be offered thereon. The shelf registration expires in December 2008 and provides FirstEnergy the flexibility to issue and sell various types of securities, including common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, andwarrants, share purchase contracts, and related share purchase units. The Utilities may utilize the shelf registration statement to offer and sell unsecured, and in some cases, secured debt securities.

22



As discussed above, on October 20, 2008, OE issued and sold under the shelf registration statement $300 million of FMBs, comprised of $275 million 8.25% Series of 2008 due 2038 and $25 million 8.25% Series of 2008 due 2018. The net proceeds from this offering will be used to fund capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. This issuance reduces OE’s capability to issue additional FMB under the terms of its mortgage indenture described above.

As of MarchSeptember 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’s currently payable long-term debt includes approximately $2.1 billion (FES - $1.9 billion, OE - $156 million, Met-Ed - $29 million and Penelec - - $45 million) of variable interest rate PCRBs, the bondholders of which are entitled to the benefit of irrevocable direct pay bank LOCs. The interest rates on the PCRBs are reset daily or weekly. Bondholders can tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase prior to maturity with the purchase price payable from remarketing proceeds, or if the PCRBs are not successfully remarketed, by drawings on the irrevocable direct pay LOCs. The subsidiary obligor is required to reimburse the applicable LOC bank for any such drawings or, if the LOC bank fails to honor its LOC for any reason, must itself pay the purchase price.

Prior to September 2008, FirstEnergy had not experienced any unsuccessful remarketings of these variable-rate PCRBs. Coincident with recent disruptions in the variable-rate demand bond and capital markets generally, certain of the PCRBs have been tendered by bondholders to the trustee. As of October 31, 2008, OE had approximately $400$72.5 million of remaining unused capacity under a shelf registrationthe PCRBs, all of which are backed by Wachovia Bank LOCs, had been tendered and not yet successfully remarketed. Of these, draws on the applicable LOCs were made for unsecured debt securities filed with$72.4 million, all of which Wachovia honored. The reimbursement agreements between the SEC in 2006 that expires in Aprilsubsidiary obligors and Wachovia require reimbursement of outstanding LOC draws by March 2009.

FirstEnergy and certain of its subsidiaries are party to a $2.75 billion five-year revolving credit facility (included in the borrowing capability table above). FirstEnergy has the capability to request an increase in the total commitments available under this facility up to a maximum of $3.25 billion.billion, subject to the discretion of each lender to provide additional commitments. Commitments under the facility are available until August 24, 2012, unless the lenders agree, at the request of the borrowers, to an unlimited number of additional one-year extensions. Generally, borrowings under the facility must be repaid within 364 days. Available amounts for each borrower are subject to a specified sub-limit, as well as applicable regulatory and other limitations.

12



The following table summarizes the borrowing sub-limits for each borrower under the facility, as well as the limitations on short-term indebtedness applicable to each borrower under current regulatory approvals and applicable statutory and/or charter limitations:limitations as of September 30, 2008:

 Revolving Regulatory and  Revolving Regulatory and 
 Credit Facility Other Short-Term  Credit Facility Other Short-Term 
Borrower
 
Sub-Limit
 
Debt Limitations(1)
  
Sub-Limit
 
Debt Limitations
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
FirstEnergy $2,750 $-(2) $2,750 $-(1)
OE  500  500   500  500 
Penn  50  39(3)  50  39(2)
CEI  250(4) 500   250(3) 500 
TE  250(4) 500   250(3) 500 
JCP&L  425  428(3)  425  428(2)
Met-Ed  250  300(3)  250  300(2)
Penelec  250  300(3)  250  300(2)
FES  1,000  -(2)  1,000  -(1)
ATSI  -(5) 50   -(4) 50 
       
(1)As of March 31, 2008.
(2)No regulatory approvals, statutory or charter limitations applicable.
(3)Excluding amounts which may be borrowed under the regulated companies’ money pool.
(4)Borrowing sub-limits for CEI and TE may be increased to up to $500 million by delivering notice to the administrative agent that such borrower has senior unsecured debt ratings of at least BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Moody’s.
(5)The borrowing sub-limit for ATSI may be increased up to $100 million by delivering notice to the administrative agent that either (i) ATSI has senior unsecured debt ratings of at least BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s or (ii) FirstEnergy has guaranteed ATSI’s obligations of such borrower under the facility.
(1)  No regulatory approvals, statutory or charter limitations applicable.
(2)  Excluding amounts which may be borrowed under the regulated
 companies’ money pool.
(3)  Borrowing sub-limits for CEI and TE may be increased to up to $500 million by
 delivering notice to the administrative agent that such borrower has senior unsecured
 debt ratings of at least BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Moody’s.
 (4)  The borrowing sub-limit for ATSI may be increased up to $100 million by delivering
  notice to the administrative agent that either (i) ATSI has senior unsecured debt
  ratings of at least BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s or (ii) FirstEnergy has guarantee
  ATSI’s obligations of such borrower under the facility.

23



The revolving credit facility described above, combined with $720 million of additional credit facilities ($620 million available as of October 31, 2008) and an aggregate $550 million (unused as of March 31, 2008) of accounts receivable financing facilities for OE, CEI, TE, Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn ($445 million available as of October 31, 2008), are intendedavailable to provide liquidity to meet working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes for FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries.

Under the revolving credit facility, borrowers may request the issuance of LOCs expiring up to one year from the date of issuance. The stated amount of outstanding LOCs will count against total commitments available under the facility and against the applicable borrower’s borrowing sub-limit.

The revolving credit facility contains financial covenants requiring each borrower to maintain a consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio of no more than 65%, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’s and its subsidiaries' debt to total capitalization ratios (as defined under the revolving credit facility) were as follows:

Borrower  
FirstEnergy 5859.6%
OE 4346.0%
Penn 2519.2%
CEI 5755.8%
TE 4244.5%
JCP&L 3031.0%
Met-Ed 4743.7%
Penelec 4950.1%
FES 6156.6%

The revolving credit facility does not contain provisions that either restrict the ability to borrow or accelerate repayment of outstanding advances as a result of any change in credit ratings. Pricing is defined in “pricing grids”, whereby the cost of funds borrowed under the facility is related to the credit ratings of the company borrowing the funds.

13


FirstEnergy's regulated companies also have the ability to borrow from each other and the holding company to meet their short-term working capital requirements. A similar but separate arrangement exists among FirstEnergy's unregulated companies. FESC administers these two money pools and tracks surplus funds of FirstEnergy and the respective regulated and unregulated subsidiaries, as well as proceeds available from bank borrowings. Companies receiving a loan under the money pool agreements must repay the principal amount of the loan, together with accrued interest, within 364 days of borrowing the funds. The rate of interest is the same for each company receiving a loan from their respective pool and is based on the average cost of funds available through the pool. The average interest rate for borrowings in the first threenine months of 2008 was 3.62%3.13% for the regulated companies’ money pool and 3.55%3.09% for the unregulated companies���companies’ money pool.

FirstEnergy’s access to capital markets and costs of financing are influenced by the ratings of its securities. The following table displays FirstEnergy’s, FES’ and the Companies’Utilities’ securities ratings as of March 31,November 5, 2008. On August 1, 2008, S&P’s&P changed its outlook offor FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries remains negativefrom “negative” to “stable.” On November 5, 2008, S&P raised its senior unsecured rating on OE, Penn, CEI and TE to BBB from BBB-. Moody’s outlook for FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries remains stable.“stable.”

Issuer
 
Securities
 
S&P
 
Moody’s
       
FirstEnergy Senior unsecured BBB- Baa3
       
FES Senior unsecured BBB Baa2
       
OESenior securedBBB+Baa1
 Senior unsecured BBB-BBB Baa2
       
CEI Senior secured BBB+ Baa2
  Senior unsecured BBB-BBB Baa3
       
TE Senior unsecured BBB-BBB Baa3
       
Penn Senior secured A- Baa1
       
JCP&L Senior unsecured BBB Baa2
       
Met-Ed Senior unsecured BBB Baa2
       
Penelec Senior unsecured BBB Baa2


Between February 27, 2008 and April 2, 2008, FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries repurchased all of their tax-exempt long-term PCRBs originally sold at auction rates ($530 million) in response to disruptions in the auction rate securities market. In February 2008, FGCO, NGC, Met-Ed and Penelec elected to convert all of their then outstanding auction rate PCRBs to a weekly rate mode, which required their mandatory purchase of these PCRBs on the applicable conversion dates. The companies initially funded the repurchase with short-term debt. On April 22, 2008, Met-Ed ($28.5 million) and Penelec ($45 million) successfully marketed their converted PCRBs in a variable-rate mode. Subject to market conditions, FGCO and NGC plan to remarket their converted PCRBs later in 2008, either in fixed-rate or variable-rate modes.
 
24


Cash Flows Fromfrom Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities resulted principally from property additions. EnergyAdditions for the energy delivery services property additionssegment primarily include expenditures related to transmission and distribution facilities. Capital spending by the competitive energy services segment areis principally generation-related. The following table summarizes investing activities for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, and 2007 by business segment:

Summary of Cash Flows Property       
Provided from (Used for) Investing Activities Additions Investments Other Total 
Sources (Uses) (In millions) 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008         
Energy delivery services
 
$
(255
)
$
33
 
$
2
 
$
(220
)
Competitive energy services
  
(462
)
 
(3
)
 
(19
) 
(484
)
Other
  
(12
)
 
68
  
-
  
56
 
Inter-Segment reconciling items
  
18
  
(12
) 
-
  
6
 
Total
 
$
(711
)
$
86
 
$
(17
)
$
(642
)
              
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
             
Energy delivery services
 
$
(155
)
$
44
 
$
10
 
$
(101
)
Competitive energy services
  
(124
)
 
(9
)
 
(4
) 
(137
)
Other
  
(1
)
 
(16
)
 
(4
) 
(21
)
Inter-Segment reconciling items
  
(16
)
 
(15
)
 
-
  
(31
)
Total
 
$
(296
)
$
4
 
$
2
 
$
(290
)

14


Summary of Cash Flows Provided from Property          
(Used for) Investing Activities Additions Investments Other Total 
Sources (Uses) (In millions) 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008             
Energy delivery services
 
$
(621
)
$
33 
$
(3)
$
(591)
Competitive energy services(1)
  
(1,430
)
 (13) (121) (1,564)
Other(2)
  
(106
)
 57  (54) (103)
Inter-Segment reconciling items
  
(20
)
 (12) -  (32)
Total
 
$
(2,177
)
$
65 
$
(178)
$
(2,290)
              
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
             
Energy delivery services
 
$
(609
)
$
6 
$
(2)
$
(605)
Competitive energy services
  
(462
)
 1,311  2  851 
Other
  
(6
)
 (4) 1  (9)
Inter-Segment reconciling items
  
(50
)
 (15) -  (65)
Total
 
$
(1,127
)
$
1,298 
$
1 
$
172 
              
(1) Other investing activities include approximately $82 million in restricted funds to redeem outstanding debt in the fourth quarter of 2008.
(2) Other investing activities include approximately $64 million in cash investments for the equity interest in Signal Peak.
 

Net cash used for investing activities was $2.3 billion in the first quarternine months of 2008 increased by $352 million compared to net cash provided from investing activities of $172 million in the first quarternine months of 2007. The increasechange was principally due to a $415 million$1.1 billion increase in property additions which reflects AQC system expenditures and the acquisitionabsence of a partially completed natural gas fired generating plant in Fremont, Ohio. Partially offsetting the increase in property additions were cash$1.3 billion of proceeds from the Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction in the third quarter of telecommunication assets.2007. The increased property additions reflected the acquisitions described above and higher planned air quality control system expenditures in the first nine months of 2008.

During the remaining three quartersmonths of 2008, capital requirements for property additions and capital leases are expected to be approximately $1.4 billion.$555 million, including $88 million for nuclear fuel. As of September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy and the Companies havehad additional requirements of approximately $328$138 million for maturing long-term debt during the remainder of 2008, of which $125 million was redeemed in October 2008. These cash requirements are expected to be satisfied from a combination of internal cash, short-term credit arrangements and funds raised in the capital markets.

FirstEnergy's capital spending for the period 2008-2012 is expected to be approximately $7.6 billion (excluding nuclear fuel)fuel, the purchase of nuclear sale and leaseback lessor equity interests, and the acquisition of Signal Peak), of which approximately $2.0$2.1 billion applies to 2008. Investments for additional nuclear fuel during the 2008-2012 period are estimated to be approximately $1.4$1.2 billion, of which about $150$167 million applies to 2008. During the same period,periods, FirstEnergy's nuclear fuel investments are expected to be reduced by approximately $949$892 million and $111 million, respectively, as the nuclear fuel is consumed.

While FirstEnergy believes its existing sources of liquidity will continue to be available to meet its anticipated obligations, management is reviewing its 2009 plans to determine what adjustments should be made to operating and capital budgets in response to the economic climate to reduce the need for external sources of capital. Management plans to reassess the economic value of discretionary projects; however, it expects to continue to meet commitments for required capital projects and necessary operational expenditures. Although this process is not yet complete, management expects that FirstEnergy's capital expenditures will be reduced from the levels previously anticipated.

GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES

As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. These agreements include contract guarantees, surety bonds and LOCs. Some of the guaranteed contracts contain collateral provisions that are contingent upon either FirstEnergy’s or its subsidiaries’ credit ratings.

As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure to potential future payments under outstanding guarantees and other assurances approximated $4.4$4.2 billion, as summarized below:

  Maximum 
Guarantees and Other Assurances
 
Exposure
 
  (In millions) 
FirstEnergy Guarantees of Subsidiaries   
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts (1)
 $441 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  6 
Other (3)
  503 
   950 
     
Subsidiaries’ Guarantees    
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts  86 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  6 
Other (4)
  2,641 
   2,733 
     
Surety Bonds  66 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  5 
LOC (non-debt) (5)(6)
  679 
   750 
Total Guarantees and Other Assurances $4,433 
25



  Maximum 
Guarantees and Other Assurances
 
Exposure
 
  (In millions) 
FirstEnergy Guarantees of Subsidiaries   
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts (1)
 $408 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  6 
Other (3)
  503 
   917 
     
Subsidiaries’ Guarantees    
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts  86 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  11 
FES’ guarantee of FGCO’s sale and leaseback obligations  2,591 
   2,688 
     
Surety Bonds  94 
LOC (long-term debt) – interest coverage (2)
  5 
LOC (non-debt) (4)(5)
  463 
   562 
Total Guarantees and Other Assurances $4,167 

(1)Issued for open-ended terms, with a 10-day termination right by FirstEnergy.
(2)
Reflects the interest coverage portion of LOCs issued in support of floating-rate
pollution control revenue bondsPCRBs with various maturities. The principal amount of floating-rate PCRBs of
floating-rate pollution control revenue bonds of $1.6$2.1 billion is reflected inas debt on
FirstEnergy’s consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
Includes guarantees of $300 million for OVEC obligations and $80 million for nuclear
nuclear decommissioning funding assurances.
(4)
Includes FES’ guarantee of FGCO’s obligations under the sale and leaseback of Bruce
Mansfield Unit 1.
(5)
Includes $60$38 million issued for various terms pursuant to LOC capacity available under
under FirstEnergy’s revolving credit facility.
(6)  (5)
Includes approximately $194$291 million pledged in connection with the sale and leaseback
of Beaver Valley Unit 2 by CEI and TE, $291 million pledged in connection with the sale a
nd leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2 by OE and $134 million pledged in connection with
with the sale and leaseback of Perry Unit 1 by OE.

15



FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides guarantees to various providers of credit support for the financing or refinancing by subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements legally obligate FirstEnergy to fulfill the obligations of those subsidiaries directly involved in energy and energy-related transactions or financings where the law might otherwise limit the counterparties' claims. If demands of a counterparty were to exceed the ability of a subsidiary to satisfy existing obligations, FirstEnergy’s guarantee enables the counterparty's legal claim to be satisfied by other FirstEnergy assets. The likelihood is remote that such parental guarantees will increase amounts otherwise paid by FirstEnergy to meet its obligations incurred in connection with ongoing energy and energy-related activities.

While these types of guarantees are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a credit rating downgrade to below investment grade or “material adverse event”,event,” the immediate posting of cash collateral, or provision of an LOC or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy’sFirstEnergy's maximum exposure under these collateral provisions was $440 million.$573 million as shown below:

Collateral Provisions
 FES Utilities Total 
                           (in millions) 
Credit rating downgrade to
  below investment grade
 
$
216
 
$
293
 
$
509
 
Material adverse event
  
56
  
8
  
64
 
Total
 
$
272
 
$
301
 
$
573
 

Additionally, stress case conditions of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event” and hypothetical adverse price movements in the underlying commodity markets would increase the total potential amount to $648 million, consisting of $58 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses and $590 million due to a below investment grade credit rating.

FES, through potential participation in utility sponsored competitive power procurement processes (including those of affiliates) or through forward hedging transactions and as a consequence of future power price movements, could be required to post significantly higher collateral to support its power transactions.

26



Most of FirstEnergy’s surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.

FirstEnergy has guaranteed the obligations of the operators of the TEBSA project up to a maximum of $2 million (subject to escalation) under the project's operations and maintenance agreement. In connection with the sale of TEBSA in January 2004, the purchaser indemnified FirstEnergy against any loss under this guarantee. FirstEnergy has also provided an LOC ($19 million as of March 31, 2008), which is renewable and declines yearly based upon the senior outstanding debt of TEBSA.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

FES and the Ohio Companies have obligations that are not included on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to sale and leaseback arrangements involving the Bruce Mansfield Plant, Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2, and the Bruce Mansfield Plant, which are satisfied through operating lease payments. As of March 31, 2008, theThe total present value of these sale and leaseback operating lease commitments, net of trust investments, totaled $2.4 billion.decreased to $1.8 billion as of September 30, 2008, from $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2007, due primarily to NGC’s purchase of certain lessor equity interests in Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2 (see Note 9).

FirstEnergy has equity ownership interests in certain businesses that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting for investments. There are no undisclosed material contingencies related to these investments. Certain guarantees that FirstEnergy does not expect to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are disclosed under “Guarantees and Other Assurances” above.

MARKET RISK INFORMATION

FirstEnergy uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, primarily to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy's Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight for risk management activities throughout the company.

Commodity Price Risk

FirstEnergy is exposed to financial and market risks resulting from the fluctuation of interest rates and commodity prices -- electricity, energy transmission, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuel and emission allowances. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FirstEnergy uses a variety of non-derivative and derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. Derivatives that fall within the scope of SFAS 133 must be recorded at their fair value and marked to market. The majority of FirstEnergy’s derivative hedging contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception under SFAS 133 and are therefore excluded from the tables below. Contracts that are not exempt from such treatment include certain power purchase agreements with NUG entities that were structured pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These non-trading contracts are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter, with a corresponding regulatory asset recognized for above-market costs. The changechanges in the fair value of commodity derivative contracts related to energy production during the first quarter ofthree months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 isare summarized in the following table:

16



 Three Months Nine Months 
Increase (Decrease) in the Fair Value    Ended September 30, 2008 Ended September 30, 2008 
of Commodity Derivative Contracts Non-Hedge Hedge Total 
of Derivative Contracts Non-Hedge Hedge Total Non-Hedge Hedge Total 
 (In millions) (In millions) 
Change in the Fair Value of                    
Commodity Derivative Contracts:                    
Outstanding net liability as of January 1, 2008 $(713)$(26)$(739)
Outstanding net liability at beginning of period $(616)$(37)$(653)$(713)$(26)$(739)
Additions/change in value of existing contracts -  (11) (11) 23 33 56 (10) 9 (1)
Settled contracts  58  17  75   18  (6) 
12
  148  7  155 
Outstanding net liability as of March 31, 2008 (1)
 $(655)$(20)$(675)
Outstanding net liability at end of period (1)
  (575) (10) (585) (575) (10) (585)
                           
Non-commodity Net Liabilities as of March 31, 2008:          
Non-commodity Net Assets at End of Period:                   
Interest rate swaps (2)
  -  (3) (3)  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Net Liabilities - Derivative Contracts
as of March 31, 2008
 $(655)$(23)$(678)
Net Liabilities - Derivative Contracts
at End of Period
 $(575)$(10)$(585)$(575)$(10)$(585)
                           
Impact of Changes in Commodity Derivative Contracts(3)
                             
Income Statement effects (pre-tax) $- $- $-  $(1)$- $(1)$- $- $- 
Balance Sheet effects:                           
Other comprehensive income (pre-tax) $- $6 $6  $- $27 $27 $- $16 $16 
Regulatory assets (net) $(58)$- $(58) $(42)$- $(42)$(138)$- $(138)

(1)Includes $655$575 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs), which that are offset by a regulatory asset.
(2)Interest rate swaps are treated as cash flow or fair value hedges (see Interest Rate Swap Agreements below).
(3)Represents the change in value of existing contracts, settled contracts and changes in techniques/assumptions.

27



Derivatives are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2008 as follows:

Balance Sheet Classification
 Non-Hedge Hedge Total  Non-Hedge Hedge Total 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Current-
              
Other assets
 
$
-
 
$
62
 
$
62
  
$
-
 
$
14
 
$
14
 
Other liabilities
  
-
  
(77
) 
(77
)
  
-
  
(26
) 
(26
)
                    
Non-Current-
                    
Other deferred charges
  
28
  
12
  
40
   
28
  
3
  
31
 
Other non-current liabilities
  
(683
) 
(20
)
 
(703
)
  
(603
) 
(1
)
 
(604
)
                    
Net liabilities
 
$
(655
)
$
(23
)
$
(678
) 
$
(575
)
$
(10
)
$
(585
)


The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In cases where such information is not available, FirstEnergy relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. FirstEnergy uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making (see Note 4)5). Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts as of March 31,September 30, 2008 are summarized by year in the following table:

Source of Information                              
- Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2008(1)
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
Thereafter
 
Total
  
2008(1)
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Prices actively quoted(2)
 $3 $1 $- $-  $- $- $4  $(2) $(5) $(1) $-  $- $- $(8) 
Other external sources(3)
  (164) (192) (149) (92) -  -  (597)  (58)  (182)  (151)  (106)  -  -  (497) 
Prices based on models  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
(30
) 
(52
) 
(82
)  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
(32)
  
(48)
  
(80)
 
Total(4)
 
$
(161
)
$
(191
)
$
(149
)
$
(92
)
$
(30
)
$
(52
)
$
(675
) 
$
(60)
 
$
(187)
 
$
(152)
 
$
(106)
 
$
(32)
 
$
(48)
 
$
(585)
 

(1)     For the last three quartersquarter of 2008.
(2)     Represents exchange traded NYMEX futures and options.
(3)     Primarily represents contracts based on broker and ICEIntercontinental Exchange quotes.
                                (4) Includes $655 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs), which are offset by a regulatory asset.
(4) Includes $575 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts (primarily with NUGs) that are offset by a regulatory asset.

FirstEnergy performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. A hypothetical 10% adverse shift (an increase or decrease depending on the derivative position) in quoted market prices in the near term on its derivative instruments would not have had a material effect on its consolidated financial position (assets, liabilities and equity) or cash flows as of March 31,September 30, 2008. Based on derivative contracts held as of March 31,September 30, 2008, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $3$1 million during the next 12 months.

17



Interest Rate Swap Agreements - Fair Value Hedges

FirstEnergy utilizeshistorically utilized fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements as part of its ongoing effort to manage the interest rate risk associated with its debt portfolio. These derivatives are treated as fair value hedgesIn order to reduce counterparty exposure and lessen variable debt exposure under the current market conditions, FirstEnergy unwound its remaining interest rate swaps. During the first nine months of fixed-rate, long-term debt issues – protecting against the risk of changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt instruments due2008, FirstEnergy received $3 million to lower interest rates. Swap maturities, call options, fixed interest rates and interest payment dates match those of the underlying obligations. As of March 31, 2008, the debt underlying the $250 million outstanding notional amount ofterminate interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $250 million. As of September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had a weighted average fixedno outstanding interest rate of 4.87%, whichswaps hedging the swaps have converted to a current weighted average variable rate of 3.49%.

  March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 
  Notional Maturity Fair Notional Maturity Fair 
Interest Rate Swaps
 Amount Date Value Amount Date Value 
  (In millions) 
Fair value hedges $
100
  
2008
 $
1
 $
100
  
2008
 $
-
 
   
150
  
2015
  
4
  
150
  
2015
  
(3
)
  
$
250
    
$
5
 
$
250
    
$
(3
)

debt portfolio.

Forward Starting Swap Agreements - Cash Flow Hedges

FirstEnergy utilizes forward starting swap agreements (forward swaps) in order to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with anticipated future issuances of fixed-rate, long-term debt securities for one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries in 2008 and 2009, and anticipated variable-rate, short-term debt. These derivatives are treated as cash flow hedges, protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments resulting from changes in benchmark U.S. Treasury and LIBOR rates between the date of hedge inception and the date of the debt issuance. FirstEnergy considers counterparty credit and nonperformance risk in its hedge assessments and continues to expect the forward-starting swaps to be effective in protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments. During the first threenine months of 2008, FirstEnergy entered into forward swaps with an aggregate notional value of $500$950 million and terminated forward swaps with an aggregate notional value of $300$750 million. FirstEnergy paid $18$16 million in cash related to the terminations, $1$5 million of which was deemed ineffective and recognized in current period earnings. The remaining effective portion ($17 million) will be recognized over the terms of the associated future debt. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had outstanding forward swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $600 million and an aggregate fair value of $(8)$(0.2) million.

  March 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 
  Notional Maturity Fair Notional Maturity Fair 
Forward Starting Swaps
 Amount Date Value Amount Date Value 
  (In millions) 
Cash flow hedges $
100
  
2009
 $
(2
)
$
-
  
2009
 $
-
 
   
100
  
2010
  
(1
) 
-
  
2010
  
-
 
   
25
  
2015
  
(2
) 
25
  
2015
  
(1
)
   
325
  
2018
  
-
  
325
  
2018
  
(1
)
   
50
  
2020
  
(3
) 
50
  
2020
  
(1
)
  
$
600
    
$
(8
)
$
400
    
$
(3
)
28



  September 30, 2008 December 31, 2007 
  Notional Maturity Fair Notional Maturity Fair 
Forward Starting Swaps
 Amount Date Value Amount Date Value 
  (In millions) 
Cash flow hedges $
100
  
2009
 $
-
 $
-
  
2009
 $
-
 
   
100
  
2010
  
-
  
-
  
2010
  
-
 
   
-
  
2015
  
-
  
25
  
2015
  
(1
)
   
350
  
2018
  
-
  
325
  
2018
  
(1
)
   
50
  
2020
  
-
  
50
  
2020
  
(1
)
  
$
600
    
$
-
 
$
400
    
$
(3
)

Equity Price Risk

IncludedFirstEnergy provides noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its subsidiaries’ employees. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels. The benefit plan assets and obligations of FirstEnergy are remeasured annually using a December 31 measurement date. Reductions in plan assets from investment losses will result in a decrease to the plans’ funded status and a decrease in common stockholders’ equity upon actuarial revaluation of the plan on January 1, 2009.

As of December 31, 2007, FirstEnergy’s pension plan was overfunded, and, therefore, FirstEnergy will not be required to make any contributions in 2009 for the 2008 plan year. The overall actual investment return as of October 31, 2008 was a loss of 25.4% compared to an assumed 9% positive return. Based on an 8% discount rate assumption, if the ultimate return for 2008 was to remain at a loss of 25.4%, 2009 pre-tax net periodic pension expense would be approximately $145 million, an increase of approximately $180 million compared to the year 2008. If the ultimate return for 2008 were to remain at a loss of 25.4%, FirstEnergy would not be required to make contributions in 2010. However, if the assets were to decline an additional 1% from October 31, 2008 through the end of 2008, contributions of approximately $65 million would be required in 2010.

This information does not consider any actions management may take to mitigate the impact of the asset return shortfalls, including changes in the amount and timing of future contributions. The actuarial assumptions used in the determination of pension and postretirement benefit costs are interrelated and changes in other assumptions could have the impact of offsetting all or a portion of the potential increase in benefit costs set forth above.

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds have been established to satisfy NGC’s and the Utilities’ nuclear decommissioning trusts are marketableobligations. As of September 30, 2008, approximately 47% of the funds were invested in equity securities and 53% were invested in fixed income securities, with limitations related to concentration and investment grade ratings. The equity securities are carried at their fairmarket value (market value) of approximately $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion,$879 million as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.September 30, 2008. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $120 an $88 million reduction in fair value as of March 31,September 30, 2008. The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L and the Pennsylvania Companies are subject to regulatory accounting, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, since the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers. NGC, OE and TE recognize in earnings the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities held in their nuclear decommissioning trusts. Nuclear decommissioning trust securities impairments totaled $63 million in the first nine months of 2008. FirstEnergy does not expect to make additional cash contributions to the nuclear decommissioning trusts in 2009, other than the required annual TMI-2 trust contribution that is collected through customer rates. However, should the trust funds continue to experience declines in market value, FirstEnergy may be required to take measures, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parental guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and meet minimum NRC funding requirements.

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk is the risk of an obligor's failure to meet the terms of any investment contract, loan agreement or otherwise perform as agreed. Credit risk arises from all activities in which success depends on issuer, borrower or counterparty performance, whether reflected on or off the balance sheet. FirstEnergy engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of commodities including gas, electricity, coal and emission allowances. These transactions are often with major energy companies within the industry.

FirstEnergy maintains credit policies with respect to its counterparties to manage overall credit risk. This includes performing independent risk evaluations, actively monitoring portfolio trends and using collateral and contract provisions to mitigate exposure. As part of its credit program, FirstEnergy aggressively manages the quality of its portfolio of energy contracts, evidenced by a current weighted average risk rating for energy contract counterparties of BBB+ (S&P). As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the largest credit concentration was with one party,JPMorgan Chase, which is currently rated investment grade, that represented 11%representing 10.7% of FirstEnergy’s total approved credit risk. Within FirstEnergy’s unregulated energy subsidiaries, 99% of existing credit, exposures, net of collateral and reserve, were with investment gradeinvestment-grade counterparties as of March 31,September 30, 2008.

 
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OUTLOOK

State Regulatory Matters

In Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, laws applicable to electric industry restructuring contain similar provisions that are reflected in the Companies'Utilities' respective state regulatory plans. These provisions include:

·restructuring the electric generation business and allowing the Companies'Utilities' customers to select a competitive electric generation supplier other than the Companies;Utilities;
  
·establishing or defining the PLR obligations to customers in the Companies'Utilities' service areas;
  
·providing the CompaniesUtilities with the opportunity to recover potentially stranded investment (or transition costs)certain costs not otherwise recoverable in a competitive generation market;
  
·itemizing (unbundling) the price of electricity into its component elements – including generation, transmission, distribution and stranded costs recovery charges;
  
·continuing regulation of the Companies'Utilities' transmission and distribution systems; and
  
·requiring corporate separation of regulated and unregulated business activities.

The CompaniesUtilities and ATSI recognize, as regulatory assets, costs which the FERC, the PUCO, the PPUC and the NJBPU have authorized for recovery from customers in future periods or for which authorization is probable. Without the probability of such authorization, costs currently recorded as regulatory assets would have been charged to income as incurred. Regulatory assets that do not earn a current return totaled approximately $137$128 million as of March 31,September 30, 2008 (JCP&L - $78$64 million and Met-Ed - $59$64 million). Regulatory assets not earning a current return (primarily for certain regulatory transition costs and employee postretirement benefits) are expected to be recovered by 2014 for JCP&L and by 2020 for Met-Ed. The following table discloses regulatory assets by company:

 March 31, December 31, Increase  September 30, December 31, Increase 
Regulatory Assets* 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
OE $710 $737 $(27) $621 $737 $(116)
CEI  854  871  (17)  796  871  (75)
TE  188  204  (16)  145  204  (59)
JCP&L  1,476  1,596  (120)  1,295  1,596  (301)
Met-Ed  530  495  35   541  495  46 
ATSI  
39
  
42
  
(3
)  
35
  
42
  
(7
)
Total 
$
3,797
 
$
3,945
 
$
(148
) 
$
3,433
 
$
3,945
 
$
(512
)

*
Penelec had net regulatory liabilities of approximately $67$105 million and $74 million as
of March 31,September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These net regulatory
liabilities are included in Other Non-current Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Regulatory assets by source are as follows:

 March 31, December 31, Increase  September 30, December 31, Increase 
Regulatory Assets By Source 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Regulatory transition costs  $2,156 $2,363 $(207)  $1,770 $2,363 $(593)
Customer shopping incentives  495  516  (21)  447  516  (69)
Customer receivables for future income taxes  290  295  (5)  247  295  (48)
Loss on reacquired debt  56  57  (1)  52  57  (5)
Employee postretirement benefits  37  39  (2)  33  39  (6)
Nuclear decommissioning, decontamination                    
and spent fuel disposal costs  (95) (115) 20   (81) (115) 34 
Asset removal costs  (195) (183) (12)  (207) (183) (24)
MISO/PJM transmission costs  368  340  28   397  340  57 
Fuel costs - RCP  227  220  7   213  220 (7)
Distribution costs - RCP  361  321  40   450  321  129 
Other  
97
  
92
  
5
   
112
  
92
  
20
 
Total 
$
3,797
 
$
3,945
 
$
(148
) 
$
3,433
 
$
3,945
 
$
(512
)


 
1930

 

Reliability Initiatives

In late 2003 and early 2004, a series of letters, reports and recommendations were issued from various entities, including governmental, industry and ad hoc reliability entities (PUCO,(the PUCO, the FERC, the NERC and the U.S. – Canada Power System Outage Task Force) regarding enhancements to regional reliability. The proposed enhancements were divided into two groups:  enhancements that were to be completed in 2004; and enhancements that were to be completed after 2004.  In 2004, FirstEnergy completed all of the enhancements that were recommended for completion in 2004. FirstEnergy is also proceeding with the implementation of the recommendations that were to be completed subsequent to 2004 and will continue to periodically assess the FERC-ordered Reliability Study recommendations for forecasted 2009 system conditions, recognizing revised load forecasts and other changing system conditions which may impact the recommendations. Thus far, implementation of the recommendations has not required, nor is expected to require, substantial investment in new or material upgrades to existing equipment. The FERC or other applicable government agencies and reliability coordinators may, however, take a different view as to recommended enhancements or may recommend additional enhancements in the future that could require additional material expenditures.

As a result of outages experienced in JCP&L’s service area in 2002 and 2003, the NJBPU performed a review of JCP&L’s service reliability. On June 9, 2004, the NJBPU approved a stipulation that addresses a third-party consultant’s recommendations on appropriate courses of action necessary to ensure system-wide reliability. The stipulation incorporates the consultant’s focused audit of, and recommendations regarding, JCP&L’s Planning and Operations and Maintenance programs and practices. On June 1, 2005, the consultant completed his work and issued his final report to the NJBPU. On July 14, 2006, JCP&L filed a comprehensive response to the consultant’s report with the NJBPU. JCP&L will complete the remaining substantive work described in the stipulation in 2008.  JCP&L continues to file compliance reports with the NJBPU reflecting JCP&L’s activities associated with implementing the stipulation.

In 2005, Congress amended the Federal Power Act to provide for federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards. The mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk power system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the CompaniesUtilities and ATSI. The NERC is charged with establishing and enforcing these reliability standards, although it has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of its responsibilities to eight regional entities, including the ReliabilityFirst Corporation.  All of FirstEnergy’s facilities are located within the ReliabilityFirst region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and ReliabilityFirst stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards.

FirstEnergy believes that it is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards.  Nevertheless, it is clear that the NERC, ReliabilityFirst and the FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time. However, the 2005 amendments to the Federal Power Act provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the new reliability standards be recovered in rates. Still, any future inability on FirstEnergy’s part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties and thus have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2007, ReliabilityFirst performed a routine compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the Midwest ISO region and found it to be in full compliance with all audited reliability standards.  Similarly, ReliabilityFirst has scheduled a compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the PJM region in October 2008. FirstEnergy currently does not expect any material adverse financial impact as a result of these audits.

Ohio

On January 4, 2006, the PUCO issued an order authorizing the Ohio Companies to recover certain increased fuel costs through a fuel rider and to defer certain other increased fuel costs to be incurred from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, including interest on the deferred balances. The order also provided for recovery of the deferred costs over a twenty-five-year period through distribution rates. On August 29, 2007, the Supreme Court of Ohio concluded that the PUCO violated a provision of the Ohio Revised Code by permitting the Ohio Companies “to collect deferred increased fuel costs through future distribution rate cases, or to alternatively use excess fuel-cost recovery to reduce deferred distribution-related expenses” and remanded the matter to the PUCO for further consideration. On September 10, 2007 the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO that requested the implementation of two generation-related fuel cost riders to collect the increased fuel costs that were previously authorized to be deferred. On January 9, 2008 the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ proposed fuel cost rider to recover increased fuel costs to be incurred in 2008 commencing January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which is expected to be approximately $189 million. In addition, the PUCO ordered the Ohio Companies to file a separate application for an alternate recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs. On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover $226 million of deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 pursuant to a separate fuel rider, with alternative options forrider. Recovery of the deferred fuel costs is addressed in the Ohio Companies’ comprehensive ESP filing, as described below. If the recovery period ranging from five to twenty-five years. This second applicationof the deferred fuel costs is currently pending beforenot resolved in the ESP, or in the event the MRO is implemented, recovery of the deferred fuel costs will be resolved in the proceeding that was instituted with the PUCO and a hearing has been set for July 15, 2008.on February 8, 2008, as referenced above.


 
2031

 


TheOn June 7, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application and rate request for an increase in electric distribution rates with the PUCO on June 7, 2007. The requested increase is expected to be more than offset by the elimination or reduction of transition charges at the time the rates go into effect and, would result in lowering the overall non-generation portion of the average electric bill for most Ohio customers.  The distribution rate increases reflect capital expenditures since the Ohio Companies’ last distribution rate proceedings, increases in operation and maintenance expenses and recovery of regulatory assets that were authorized in prior cases. Onon August 6, 2007, the Ohio Companies updated their filing supportingto support a distribution rate increase of $332 million. On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of theirits investigation into the distribution rate request. In its reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase in the range of $161 million to $180 million, with $108 million to $127 million for distribution revenue increases and $53 million for recovery of costs deferred under prior cases. This amount excludes the recovery of deferred fuel costs, whose recovery is now being sought in a separate proceeding before the PUCO, discussed above. On January 3, 2008, the Ohio Companies and intervening parties filed objections to the Staff Reports and on January 10, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed supplemental testimony. Evidentiary hearings began on January 29, 2008 and continued through February 25, 2008. During the evidentiary hearings and filing of briefs, the PUCO Staff submitted testimony decreasingdecreased their recommended revenue increase to a range of $114$117 million to $132$135 million. Additionally, in testimony submitted on February 11, 2008, the PUCO Staff adopted a position regarding interest deferred for RCP-related deferrals, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals that, if upheld by the PUCO, would result in the write-off of approximately $45$58 million of interest costs deferred through March 31,September 30, 2008 ($0.090.12 per share of common stock). The PUCOOhio Companies’ electric distribution rate request is expected to render its decision during the second or third quarter of 2008. The new rates would become effective January 1, 2009 for OE and TE, and approximately May 2009 for CEI.addressed in their comprehensive ESP filing, as described below.

On July 10, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO requesting approval of a comprehensive supply plan for providing retail generation service to customers who do not purchase electricity from an alternative supplier, beginning January 1, 2009. The proposed competitive bidding process would average the results of multiple bidding sessions conducted at different times during the year. The final price per KWH would reflect an average of the prices resulting from all bids. In their filing, the Ohio Companies offered two alternatives for structuring the bids, either by customer class or a “slice-of-system” approach. A slice-of-system approach would require the successful bidder to be responsible for supplying a fixed percentage of the utility’s total load notwithstanding the customer’s classification. The proposal provides the PUCO with an option to phase in generation price increases for residential tariff groups who would experience a change in their average total price of 15 percent or more. The PUCO held a technical conference on August 16, 2007 regarding the filing. Initial and reply comments on the proposal were filed by various parties in September and October 2007, respectively. The proposal is currently pending before the PUCO.

On April 22, 2008, an amended version of Substitute SB221 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and sent back to the Ohio Senate for concurrence. On April 23, 2008, the Ohio Senate approved the House's amendments to Substitute SB221 and forwarded the bill to the Governor for signature, which he signed on May 1, 2008, Governor Strickland signed SB221, which became effective on July 31, 2008. Amended Substitute SB221The bill requires all electric distribution utilities to file an RSP, now called an ESP with the PUCO. An ESP is requiredA utility also may file an MRO in which it would have to contain a proposal forprove the supply and pricing of retail generation and may include proposals, without limitation, related to one or more of the following:following objective market criteria:

·  automatic recovery of prudently incurred fuel, purchased power, emission allowance coststhe utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC approved RTO, or there is comparable and federally mandated energy taxes;nondiscriminatory access to the electric transmission grid;

·  construction work in progress for costs of constructing an electric generating facilitythe RTO has a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power or environmental expenditure for any electric generating facility;

·  costs of an electric generating facility;

·  terms relatedthe utility’s market conduct, or a similar market monitoring function exists with the ability to customer shopping, bypassability, standby, back-upidentify and default service;

·  accounting for deferrals related to stabilizing retail electric service;

·  automatic increases or decreases in standard service offer price;

·  phase-inmonitor market conditions and securitization;

·  transmission service and related costs;

·  distribution service and related costs;conduct; and

·  economic developmenta published source of information is available publicly or through subscription that identifies pricing information for traded electricity products, both on- and off-peak, scheduled for delivery two years into the future.

On July 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed with the PUCO a comprehensive ESP and MRO. The MRO outlines a CBP that would be implemented if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO. Under SB221, a PUCO ruling on the ESP filing is required within 150 days and an MRO decision is required within 90 days. The ESP proposes to phase in new generation rates for customers beginning in 2009 for up to a three-year period and would resolve the Ohio Companies’ collection of fuel costs deferred in 2006 and 2007, and the distribution rate request described above. Major provisions of the ESP include:

·  a phase-in of new generation rates for up to a three-year period, whereby customers would receive a 10% phase-in credit; related costs (expected to approximate $429 million in 2009, $488 million in 2010 and $553 million in 2011) would be deferred for future collection over a period not to exceed 10 years;

·  a reconcilable rider to recover fuel transportation cost surcharges in excess of $30 million in 2009, $20 million in 2010 and $10 million in 2011;

·  generation rate adjustments to recover any increase in fuel costs in 2011 over fuel costs incurred in 2010 for FES’ generation assets used to support the ESP;

·  generation rate adjustments to recover the costs of complying with new requirements for certain renewable energy efficiency.resources, new taxes and new environmental laws or new interpretations of existing laws that take effect after January 1, 2008 and exceed $50 million during the plan period;

·  an RCP fuel rider to recover the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs and carrying charges (described above) over a period not to exceed 25 years;

·  the resolution of outstanding issues pending in the Ohio Companies’ distribution rate case (described above), including annual electric distribution rate increases of $75 million for OE, $34.5 million for CEI and $40.5 million for TE. The new distribution rates would be effective January 1, 2009, for OE and TE and May 1, 2009 for CEI, with a commitment to maintain distribution rates through 2013. CEI also would be authorized to defer $25 million in distribution-related costs incurred from January 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009;

·  an adjustable delivery service improvement rider, effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2013, to ensure the Ohio Companies maintain and improve customer standards for service and reliability;

·  the waiver of RTC charges for CEI’s customers as of January 1, 2009, which would result in CEI’s write-off of approximately $485 million of estimated unrecoverable transition costs ($1.01 per share of common stock);

 
2132

 


·  
the continued recovery of transmission costs, including MISO, ancillary services and congestion charges, through an annually adjusted transmission rider; a separate rider will be established to recover costs incurred annually between May 1st and September 30th for capacity purchases required to meet FERC, NERC, MISO and other applicable standards for planning reserve margin requirements in excess of amounts provided by FES as described in the ESP (the separate application for the recovery of these costs was filed on October 17, 2008);
A utility
·  a deferred transmission cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010 to recover transmission costs deferred by the Ohio Companies in 2005 and accumulated carrying charges through December 31, 2008; a deferred distribution cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2011, to recover distribution costs deferred under the RCP, CEI’s additional $25 million of cost deferrals in 2009, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals;

·  the deferral of annual storm damage expenses in excess of $13.9 million, certain line extension costs, as well as depreciation, property tax obligations and post in-service carrying charges on energy delivery capital investments for reliability and system efficiency placed in service after December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2014, a rider will be established to collect the deferred balance and associated carrying charges over a 10-year period; and

·  a commitment by the Ohio Companies to invest in aggregate at least $1 billion in capital improvements in their energy delivery systems through 2013 and fund $25 million for energy efficiency programs and $25 million for economic development and job retention programs through 2013.

Evidentiary hearings in the ESP case concluded on October 31, 2008 and no further hearings are scheduled. The parties are required to submit initial briefs by November 21, 2008, with all reply briefs due by December 12, 2008.

The Ohio Companies’ MRO filing outlines a CBP for providing retail generation supply if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO or is changed and not accepted by the Ohio Companies. The CBP would use a “slice-of-system” approach where suppliers bid on tranches (approximately 100 MW) of the Ohio Companies’ total customer load. If the Ohio Companies proceed with the MRO option, successful bidders (including affiliates) would be required to post independent credit requirements and could also simultaneously file an MRO in which it would havebe subject to demonstratesignificant collateral calls depending upon power price movement. On September 16, 2008, the following objective market criteria: The utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC-approved RTO having a market-monitor functionPUCO staff filed testimony and the ability to mitigate market power, and a published source exists that identifies information for traded electricity and energy products that are contracted for delivery two years into the future.evidentiary hearings were held. The PUCO would testfailed to act on October 29, 2008 as required under the statute.  The Ohio Companies are unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding.

The Ohio Companies included an interim pricing proposal as part of their ESP filing, if additional time is necessary for final PUCO approval of either the ESP and its pricing and all other terms and conditions againstor MRO. FES will be required to obtain FERC authorization to sell electric capacity or energy to the MRO and may only approveOhio Companies under the ESP if itor MRO, unless a waiver is found to be more favorable to customers. As part of an ESP with a plan period longer than three years, the PUCO shall prospectively determine every fourth year of the plan whether it is substantially likely the plan will provide the electric distribution utility a return on common equity significantly in excess of the return likely to be earned by publicly traded companies, including utilities, that face comparable business and financial risk (comparable companies)obtained (see FERC Matters). If so, the PUCO may terminate the ESP. Annually under an ESP, the PUCO shall determine whether an electric distribution utility's earned return on common equity is significantly in excess of returns earned on common equity during the same period by comparable companies, and if so, shall require the utility to return such excess to customers by prospective adjustments. Amended Substitute SB221 also includes provisions dealing with advanced and renewable energy standards that contemplate 25% of electrical usage from these sources by 2025. Energy efficiency measures in the bill require energy savings in excess of 22% by 2025. Requirements are in place to meet annual benchmarks for renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, subject to review by the PUCO. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating this legislation and expects to file an ESP in the second or third quarter of 2008.

Pennsylvania

Met-Ed and Penelec purchase a portion of their PLR and default service requirements from FES through a fixed-price partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement. The agreement allows Met-Ed and Penelec to sell the output of NUG energy to the market and requires FES to provide energy at fixed prices to replace any NUG energy sold to the extent needed for Met-Ed and Penelec to satisfy their PLR and default service obligations. The fixed price under the agreement is expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. If Met-Ed and Penelec were to replace the entire FES supply at current market power prices without corresponding regulatory authorization to increase their generation prices to customers, each company would likely incur a significant increase in operating expenses and experience a material deterioration in credit quality metrics. Under such a scenario, each company's credit profile would no longer be expected to support an investment grade rating for their fixed income securities. Based on the PPUC’s January 11, 2007 order described below, if FES ultimately determines to terminate, reduce, or significantly modify the agreement prior to the expiration of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation rate caps in 2010, timely regulatory relief is not likely to be granted by the PPUC. See FERC Matters below for a description of the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, executed by the parties on October 31, 2008, that limits the amount of energy and capacity FES must supply to Met-Ed and Penelec. In the event of a third party supplier default, the increased costs to Met-Ed and Penelec could be material.

Met-Ed and Penelec made a comprehensive transition rate filing with the PPUC on April 10, 2006 to address a number of transmission, distribution and supply issues. If Met-Ed's and Penelec's preferred approach involving accounting deferrals had been approved, annual revenues would have increased by $216 million and $157 million, respectively. That filing included, among other things, a request to charge customers for an increasing amount of market-priced power procured through a CBP as the amount of supply provided under the then existing FES agreement was to be phased out. Met-Ed and Penelec also requested approval of a January 12, 2005 petition for the deferral of transmission-related costs incurred during 2006. In this rate filing, Met-Ed and Penelec requested recovery of annual transmission and related costs incurred on or after January 1, 2007, plus the amortized portion of 2006 costs over a ten-year period, along with applicable carrying charges, through an adjustable rider. Changes in the recovery of NUG expenses and the recovery of Met-Ed's non-NUG stranded costs were also included in the filing. On May 4, 2006, the PPUC consolidated the remand of the FirstEnergy and GPU merger proceeding, related to the quantification and allocation of merger savings, with the comprehensive transition rate filing case.

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The PPUC entered its opinion and order in the comprehensive rate filing proceeding on January 11, 2007. The order approved the recovery of transmission costs, including the transmission-related deferral for January 1, 2006 through January 10, 2007, and determined that no merger savings from prior years should be considered in determining customers’ rates. The request for increases in generation supply rates was denied as were the requested changes to NUG expense recovery and Met-Ed’s non-NUG stranded costs. The order decreased Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s distribution rates by $80 million and $19 million, respectively. These decreases were offset by the increases allowed for the recovery of transmission costs. Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s request for recovery of Saxton decommissioning costs was granted and, in January 2007, Met-Ed and Penelec recognized income of $15 million and $12 million, respectively, to establish regulatory assets for those previously expensed decommissioning costs. Overall rates increased by 5.0% for Met-Ed ($59 million) and 4.5% for Penelec ($50 million).

On March 30, 2007, MEIUG and PICA filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania asking the courtCourt to review the PPUC’s determination on transmission (including congestion) and the transmission deferral. Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition for Review on April 13, 2007 on the issues of consolidated tax savings and the requested generation rate increase. The OCA filed its Petition for Review on April 13, 2007, on the issues of transmission (including congestion) and recovery of universal service costs from only the residential rate class. From June through October 2007, initial responsive and reply briefs were filed by various parties. Oral arguments are scheduled to take placeThe Commonwealth Court issued its decision on November 7, 2008, which affirmed the PPUC's January 11, 2007 order in September 2008. If Met-Edall respects, including the deferral and Penelec do not prevail on the issuerecovery of transmission and congestion it could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations of Met-Ed, Penelec and FirstEnergy.

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related costs.

On April 14,May 22, 2008, the PPUC approved the Met-Ed and Penelec filed annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. Various intervenors filed complaints against Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s TSC filings.  In addition, the PPUC ordered an investigation to review the reasonableness of Met-Ed’s TSC, while at the same time allowing the company to implement the rider June 1, 2008, subject to refund. On July 15, 2008, the PPUC directed the ALJ to consolidate the complaints against Met-Ed with its investigation and a litigation schedule was adopted with hearings for both companies scheduled to begin in January 2009. The proposed TSCs include a component for under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed has proposedreceived approval from the PPUC of a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portion of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

On March 13, 2008, the PPUC approved the residential procurement process in Penn’s Joint Petition for Settlement. This RFP process calls for load-following, full-requirements contracts for default service procurement for residential customers for the period covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2011. The PPUC had previously approved the default service procurement processes for commercial and industrial customers. The default service procurement for small commercial customers was conducted through multiple RFPs, while the default service procurement for large commercial and industrial customers will utilize hourly pricing. Bids in the two RFPs for small commercial load were approved by the PPUC on February 22, 2008, and March 20, 2008. On March 28, 2008, Penn filed compliance tariffs with the new default service generation rates based on the approved RFP bids for small commercial customers which the PPUC then certified on April 4, 2008. On April 14, 2008, the first RFP for residential customers’ load was held consisting of tranches for both 12 and 24-month supply. The PPUC approved the bids on April 16, 2008. The second RFP is scheduled to be held on May 14, 2008, after which time the PPUC is expected to approve the new rates to go into effect June 1, 2008.

On February 1, 2007, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an EIS. The EIS includes four pieces of proposed legislation that, according to the Governor, is designed to reduce energy costs, promote energy independence and stimulate the economy. Elements of the EIS include the installation of smart meters, funding for solar panels on residences and small businesses, conservation and demand reduction programs to meet energy growth, a requirement that electric distribution companies acquire power that results in the “lowest reasonable rate on a long-term basis,” the utilization of micro-grids and a three year phase-in of rate increases. On July 17, 2007 the Governor signed into law two pieces of energy legislation. The first amended the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 to, among other things, increase the percentage of solar energy that must be supplied at the conclusion of an electric distribution company’s transition period. The second law allows electric distribution companies, at their sole discretion, to enter into long term contracts with large customers and to build or acquire interests in electric generation facilities specifically to supply long-term contracts with such customers. A special legislative session on energy was convened in mid-September 2007 to consider other aspects of the EIS. The Pennsylvania House and Senate on March 11, 2008 and December 12, 2007, respectively, passed different versions of bills to fund the Governor’s EIS proposal. Neither chamber has formally consideredAs part of the other’s bill.2008 state budget negotiations, the Alternative Energy Investment Act was enacted creating a $650 million alternative energy fund to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.  On February 12,October 8, 2008, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 2200 as amended, was voted out of the full Senate and adopted by the House. On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which provides forbecomes effective on November 14, 2008 as Act 129 of 2008.  The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and demand management programs and targets as well as the installation ofpeak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters within ten years. Otherand alternative energy.  Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009 and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009.

Major provisions of the legislation has been introduced to address generationinclude:
·  power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

·  the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, request for proposals, and/or bilateral agreements;

·  utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

·  a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;


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·  minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

·  an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.
The current legislative session ends on November 30, 2008, and any pending legislation addressing rate mitigation and the expiration of rate caps conservationnot enacted by that time must be re-introduced in order to be considered in the next legislative session which begins in January 2009.  While the form and renewable energy. The final formimpact of this pendingsuch legislation is uncertain. Consequently, FirstEnergy is unableuncertain, several legislators and the Governor have indicated their intent to predict what impact, if any, such legislation may have on its operations.address these issues next year.

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed for Commission approval of a Voluntary Prepayment Plan that would provide an opportunity for residential and small commercial customers to pre-pay an amount, which would earn interest at 7.5%, on their monthly electric bills in 2009 and 2010, to be used to reduce electric rates in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed and Penelec also intend to file a generation procurement plan for 2011 and beyond with the PPUC later this year or early next year. Met-Ed and Penelec requested that the PPUC approve the Plan by mid-December 2008 and are currently awaiting a decision.

New Jersey

JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the accumulated deferred cost balance totaled approximately $264$210 million.

In accordance with an April 28, 2004 NJBPU order, JCP&L filed testimony on June 7, 2004 supporting continuation of the current level and duration of the funding of TMI-2 decommissioning costs by New Jersey customers without a reduction, termination or capping of the funding. On September 30, 2004, JCP&L filed an updated TMI-2 decommissioning study. This study resulted in an updated total decommissioning cost estimate of $729 million (in 2003 dollars) compared to the estimated $528 million (in 2003 dollars) from the prior 1995 decommissioning study. The DRA filed comments on February 28, 2005 requesting that decommissioning funding be suspended. On March 18, 2005, JCP&L filed a response to those comments. JCP&L responded to additional NJBPU staff discovery requests in May and November 2007 and also submitted comments in the proceeding in November 2007. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

On August 1, 2005, the NJBPU established a proceeding to determine whether additional ratepayer protections are required at the state level in light of the repeal of the PUHCA pursuant to the EPACT. The NJBPU approved regulations effective October 2, 2006 that prevent a holding company that owns a gas or electric public utility from investing more than 25% of the combined assets of its utility and utility-related subsidiaries into businesses unrelated to the utility industry. These regulations are not expected to materially impact FirstEnergy or JCP&L. Also, in the same proceeding, the NJBPU Staff issued an additional draft proposal on March 31, 2006 addressing various issues including access to books and records, ring-fencing, cross subsidization, corporate governance and related matters. With the approval of the NJBPU Staff, the affected utilities jointly submitted an alternative proposal on June 1, 2006. The NJBPU Staff circulated revised drafts of the proposal to interested stakeholders in November 2006 and again in February 2007. On February 1, 2008, the NJBPU accepted proposed rules for publication in the New Jersey Register on March 17, 2008. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held on April 23, 2008 withand comments from interested parties due onwere submitted by May 16,19, 2008.

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New Jersey statutes require that the state periodically undertake a planning process, known as the EMP, to address energy related issues including energy security, economic growth, and environmental impact. The EMP is to be developed with involvement of the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and is to be prepared by a Master Plan Committee, which is chaired by the NJBPU President and includes representatives of several State departments. In October 2006, the current EMP process was initiated through the creation of a number of working groups to obtain input from a broad range of interested stakeholders including utilities, environmental groups, customer groups, and major customers. In addition, public stakeholder meetings were held in 2006, 2007 and the fallfirst half of 2006 and in early 2007.2008.

On April 17, 2008, a draft EMP was released for public comment. The draftfinal EMP was issued on October 22, 2008 and establishes fourfive major goals:

·  maximize energy efficiency to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020;

·  reduce peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020 (amounting to about a 22% reduction in projected demand);2020;

·  meet 22.5%30% of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;

·  examine smart grid technology and develop additional cogeneration and other generation resources consistent with the state’s greenhouse gas targets; and

·  develop low carbon emitting, efficient power plantsinvest in innovative clean energy technologies and closebusinesses to stimulate the gap between the supply and demand for electricity.industry’s growth in New Jersey.

Following the public comment period which is expected to extend into July 2008, a
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The final EMP will be issued to be followed by appropriate legislation and regulation as necessary. At this time, FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this process nor determine the impact, if any, such legislation or regulation may have on its operations or those of JCP&L.

On February 13, 2007, the NJBPU Staff informally issued a draft proposal relating to changes to the regulations addressing electric distribution service reliability and quality standards. Meetings between the NJBPU Staff and interested stakeholders to discuss the proposal were held and additional, revised informal proposals were subsequently circulated by the Staff. On September 4, 2007, proposed regulations were published in the New Jersey Register, which proposal will be subsequently considered by the NJBPU following comments that were submitted in September and October 2007. Final regulations (effective upon publication) were published in the New Jersey Register March 17, 2008. Upon preliminary review of the new regulations, FirstEnergy does not expect a material impact on its operations or those of JCP&L.

FERC Matters

Transmission Service between MISO and PJM

On November 18, 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate so-called “pancaking” ofmultiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered the MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as the Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment or “SECA”) during a 16-month transition period. The FERC issued orders in 2005 setting the SECA for hearing. The presiding judge issued an initial decision on August 10, 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision is subject to review and approval by the FERC. Briefs addressing the initial decision were filed on September 11, 2006 and October 20, 2006. A final order could be issued by the FERC by year-end 2008.  In the meantime, FirstEnergy affiliates have been negotiating and entering into settlement agreements with other parties in the second quarterdocket to mitigate the risk of 2008.lower transmission revenue collection associated with an adverse order.  On September 26, 2008, the MISO and PJM transmission owners filed a motion requesting that the FERC approve the pending settlements and act on the initial decision.

PJM Transmission Rate Design

On January 31, 2005, certain PJM transmission owners made filings with the FERC pursuant to a settlement agreement previously approved by the FERC. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec were parties to that proceeding and joined in two of the filings. In the first filing, the settling transmission owners submitted a filing justifying continuation of their existing rate design within the PJM RTO. Hearings were held and numerous parties appeared and litigated various issues concerning PJM rate design; notably AEP, which proposed to create a "postage stamp", or average rate for all high voltage transmission facilities across PJM and a zonal transmission rate for facilities below 345 kV. This proposal would have the effect of shifting recovery of the costs of high voltage transmission lines to other transmission zones, including those where JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec serve load. On April 19, 2007, the FERC issued an order finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, the FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a “beneficiary pays” basis. The FERC found that PJM’s current beneficiary-pays cost allocation methodology is not sufficiently detailed and, in a related order that also was issued on April 19, 2007, directed that hearings be held for the purpose of establishing a just and reasonable cost allocation methodology for inclusion in PJM’s tariff.

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On May 18, 2007, certain parties filed for rehearing of the FERC’s April 19, 2007 order. On January 31, 2008, the requests for rehearing were denied. The FERC’s orders on PJM rate design will prevent the allocation of a portion of the revenue requirement of existing transmission facilities of other utilities to JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec. In addition, the FERC’s decision to allocate the cost of new 500 kV and above transmission facilities on a PJM-wide basis will reduce the costs of future transmission revenue recoveryto be recovered from the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec zones. A partial settlement agreement addressing the “beneficiary pays” methodology for below 500 kV facilities, but excluding the issue of allocating new facilities costs to merchant transmission entities, was filed on September 14, 2007. The agreement was supported by the FERC’s Trial Staff, and was certified by the Presiding Judge. The FERC’s action onJudge to the FERC. On July 29, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the settlement agreement is pending.subject to the submission of a compliance filing.  The compliance filing was submitted on August 29, 2008, and the FERC issued an order accepting the compliance filing on October 15, 2008.  The remaining merchant transmission cost allocation issues will proceed towere the subject of a hearing at the FERC in May 2008.  An initial decision was issued by the Presiding Judge on September 18, 2008.  PJM and FERC trial staff each filed a Brief on Exceptions to the initial decision on October 20, 2008.  Briefs Opposing Exceptions are due on November 10, 2008. On February 13,11, 2008, AEP appealed the FERC’s April 19, 2007 and January 31, 2008 orders to the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the PUCO and Dayton Power & Light have also appealed these orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals of these parties and others have been consolidated for argument in the Seventh Circuit.

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Post Transition Period Rate Design

The FERC had directed MISO, PJM, and the respective transmission owners to make filings on or before August 1, 2007 to reevaluate transmission rate design within MISO, and between MISO and PJM. On August 1, 2007, filings were made by MISO, PJM, and the vast majority of transmission owners, including FirstEnergy affiliates, which proposed to retain the existing transmission rate design. These filings were approved by the FERC on January 31, 2008. As a result of the FERC’s approval, the rates charged to FirstEnergy’s load-serving affiliates for transmission service over existing transmission facilities in MISO and PJM are unchanged. In a related filing, MISO and MISO transmission owners requested that the current MISO pricing for new transmission facilities that spreads 20% of the cost of new 345 kV and higher transmission facilities across the entire MISO footprint (known as the RECB methodology) be retained.

On September 17, 2007, AEP filed a complaint under Sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act seeking to have the entire transmission rate design and cost allocation methods used by MISO and PJM declared unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory, and to have the FERC fix a uniform regional transmission rate design and cost allocation method for the entire MISO and PJM “Super Region” that recovers the average cost of new and existing transmission facilities operated at voltages of 345 kV and above from all transmission customers. Lower voltage facilities would continue to be recovered in the local utility transmission rate zone through a license plate rate. AEP requested a refund effective October 1, 2007, or alternatively, February 1, 2008. On January 31, 2008, the FERC issued an order denying the complaint. The effect of this order is to prevent the shift of significant costs to the FirstEnergy zones in MISO and PJM. A rehearing request by AEP is pending before the FERC.
Distribution of MISO Network Service Revenues

Effective February 1, 2008, the MISO Transmission Owners Agreement provides for a change in the method of distributing transmission revenues among the transmission owners. MISO and a majority of the MISO transmission owners filed on December 3, 2007 to change the MISO tariff to clarify, for purposes of distributing network transmission revenue to the transmission owners, that all network transmission service revenues, whether collected by MISO or directly by the transmission owner, are included in the revenue distribution calculation.  This clarification was necessary because some network transmission service revenues are collected and retained by transmission owners in states where retail choice does not exist, and their “unbundled” retail load is currently exempt from MISO network service charges. The tariff changes filed with the FERC ensure that revenues collected by transmission owners from bundled load are taken into account in the revenue distribution calculation, and that transmission owners with bundled load do not collect more than their revenue requirements. Absent the changes, transmission owners, and ultimately their customers, with unbundled load or in retail choice states, such as ATSI, would subsidize transmission owners with bundled load, who would collect their revenue requirement from bundled load, plus share in revenues collected by MISO from unbundled customers. This would result in a large revenue shortfall for ATSI, which would eventually be passed on to customers in the form of higher transmission rates as calculated pursuant to ATSI’s Attachment O formula under the MISO tariff.

Numerous parties filed in support of the tariff changes, including the public service commissions of Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Ameren filed a protest on December 26, 2007, arguing that the December 3, 2007 filing violates the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement as well as an agreement among Ameren (Union Electric), MISO, and the Missouri Public Service Commission, which provides that Union Electric’s bundled load cannot be charged by MISO for network service. On February 2, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the tariff amendment subject to a minor compliance filing, which was made on March 3, 2008. This order ensures that ATSI will continue to receive transmission revenues from MISO equivalent to its transmission revenue requirement. A rehearing request by Ameren is pending before the FERC.

On February 1, 2008, MISO filed a request to continue using the existing revenue distribution methodology on an interim basis pending amendment of the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement. This request was accepted by the FERC on March 13, 2008. On that same day, MISO and the MISO transmission owners made a filing to amend the Transmission Owners’ Agreement to effectively continue the distribution of transmission revenues that was in effect prior to February 1, 2008. This matter is currently pending before the FERC.

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MISO Ancillary Services Market and Balancing Area Consolidation

MISO made a filing on September 14, 2007 to establish an ASM for regulation, spinning and supplemental reserves, to consolidate the existing 24 balancing areas within the MISO footprint, and to establish MISO as the NERC registered balancing authority for the region. This filingThese markets would permit load servinggenerators to sell, and load-serving entities to purchase, their operating reserve requirements in a competitive market. FirstEnergy supports the proposal to establish markets for Ancillary Services and consolidate existing balancing areas. On February 25, 2008, the FERC issued an order approving the ASM subject to certain compliance filings. MISO has since notifiedNumerous parties filed requests for rehearing on March 26, 2008. On June 23, 2008, the FERC issued an order granting in part and denying in part rehearing.

On February 29, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing setting forth MISO’s Readiness Advisor ASM and Consolidated Balancing Authority Initiative Verification plan and status and Real-Time Operations ASM Reversion plan. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On March 26, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 30-day directives in the February 25 order. Numerous parties submitted comments and protests on April 16, 2008. The FERC issued an order accepting the revisions pending further compliance on June 23, 2008. On April 25, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 60-day directives in the February 25 order. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On May 23, 2008, MISO submitted its amended Balancing Authority Agreement. On July 21, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the amended Balancing Authority Agreement and requiring a further compliance filing.  On August 19, 2008, MISO submitted its compliance filing to the FERC.  On July 25, 2008, MISO submitted another Readiness Certification.  The FERC has not yet acted on this submission.  MISO announced on August 26, 2008 that the startstartup of its ASMmarket is delayed until Septemberpostponed indefinitely.  MISO commits to make a filing giving at least sixty days notice of the new effective date. The latest announced effective date for market startup is January 6, 2009.

Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio

On May 29, 2008, TE filed with the FERC a proposed Notice of Cancellation effective midnight December 31, 2008, of the Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio. AMP-Ohio protested this filing. TE also filed a Petition for Declaratory Order seeking a FERC ruling, in the alternative if cancellation is not accepted, of TE's right to file for an increase in rates effective January 1, 2009, for power provided to AMP-Ohio under the Interconnection Agreement. AMP-Ohio filed a pleading agreeing that TE may seek an increase in rates, but arguing that any increase is limited to the cost of generation owned by TE affiliates. On August 18, 2008, the FERC issued an order that suspended the cancellation of the Agreement for five months, to become effective on June 1, 2009, and established expedited hearing procedures on issues raised in the filing and TE’s Petition for Declaratory Order. On October 14, 2008, the parties filed a settlement agreement and mutual notice of cancellation of the Interconnection Agreement effective midnight December 31, 2008.  Upon acceptance by the FERC, this filing will terminate the litigation and the Interconnection Agreement, among other effects.

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Duquesne’s Request to Withdraw from PJM

On November 8, 2007, Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne) filed a request with the FERC to exit PJM and to join the MISO. In its filing, Duquesne asked the FERC to be relieved of certain capacity payment obligations to PJM for capacity auctions conducted prior to its departure from PJM, but covering service for planning periods through May 31, 2011. Duquesne asserted that its primary reason for exiting PJM is to avoid paying future obligations created by PJM’s forward capacity market. FirstEnergy believes that Duquesne’s filing did not identify or address numerous legal, financial or operational issues that are implicated or affected directly by Duquesne’s proposal. Consequently, FirstEnergy submitted responsive filings that, while conceding Duquesne’s rights to exit PJM, contested various aspects of Duquesne’s proposal. FirstEnergy particularly focused on Duquesne’s proposal that it be allowed to exit PJM without payment of its share of existing capacity market commitments. FirstEnergy also objected to Duquesne’s failure to address the firm transmission service requirements that would be necessary for FirstEnergy to continue to use the Beaver Valley Plant to meet existing commitments in the PJM capacity markets and to serve native load. Other market participants also submitted filings contesting Duquesne’s plans.

On January 17, 2008, the FERC conditionally approved Duquesne’s request to exit PJM. Among other conditions, the FERC obligated Duquesne zone load-serving entities to pay thetheir PJM capacity obligations through May 31, 2011. The FERC’s order took notice of the numerous transmission and other issues raised by FirstEnergy and other parties to the proceeding, but did not provide any responsive rulings or other guidance. Rather, the FERC ordered Duquesne to make a compliance filing in forty-five days detailing how Duquesne will satisfy its obligations under the PJM Transmission Owners’ Agreement. The FERC likewise directed the MISO to submit detailed plans to integrate Duquesne into the MISO. Finally, the FERC directed MISO and PJM to work together to resolve the substantive and procedural issues implicated by Duquesne’s transition into the MISO. These issues remain unresolved. If Duquesne satisfies all of the obligations set by the FERC, its planned transition date is October 9, 2008.

On March 18, 2008, the PJM Power Providers Group filed a request for emergency clarification regarding whether Duquesne-zone generators (including the Beaver Valley Plant) could participateFirstEnergy desires to continue to use its Duquesne zone generation resources to serve load in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year. FirstEnergy and the other Duquesne-zone generators filed responsive pleadings.PJM. On April 18, 2008, the FERC issued its Order on Motion for Emergency Clarification whereinon whether Duquesne-zone generators could participate in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 planning year. In the order, the FERC ruled that although the status of the Duquesne-zone generators will change to “External Resource” upon Duquesne’s exit from PJM, these generators cancould contract with PJM for the transmission reservations necessary to participate in the May 2008 auction. FirstEnergy has complied with the FERC’s order by obtaining executed transmission service agreements for firm point-to-point transmission service for the 2011-2012 delivery year and, as such, FirstEnergy satisfiessatisfied the criteria to bid the Beaver Valley Plant into the May 2008 RPM auction. Notwithstanding these events, on April

The FERC also directed MISO and PJM to resolve the substantive and procedural issues associated with Duquesne’s transition into MISO. As directed, PJM filed thirteen load-serving entity Capacity Payment Agreements and a Capacity Portability Agreement with the FERC. The Capacity Payment Agreements addressed Duquesne Zone load-serving entity obligations through May 31, 2011 with regards to RPM Capacity while the Capacity Portability Agreement addressed operational issues associated with the portability of such capacity. On September 30, 2008, the FERC approved both agreements, subject to conditions, taking notice of many operational and procedural issues brought forth by FirstEnergy and other market participants.

Several issues surrounding Duquesne’s transition into MISO continue to be contested at the FERC. Specifically, Duquesne’s obligation to pay for transmission expansion costs allocated to the Duquesne zone when they were a member of PJM, and other issues in which market participants wish to be held harmless by Duquesne’s transition. FirstEnergy filed for rehearing on these issues on October 3, 2008. Duquesne’s transition into MISO is also contingent upon the start of MISO’s ancillary services market and consolidation of its balancing authorities, currently scheduled for January 6, 2009.

Complaint against PJM RPM Auction

On May 1,30, 2008, certain membersa group of PJM load-serving entities, state commissions, consumer advocates, and trade associations (referred to collectively as the RPM Buyers) filed a complaint at the FERC against PJM alleging that three of the four transitional RPM auctions yielded prices that are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act. Most of the parties comprising the RPM Buyers group were parties to the settlement approved by the FERC that established the RPM. In the complaint, the RPM Buyers request that the total projected payments to RPM sellers for the three auctions at issue be materially reduced. On July 11, 2008, PJM Power Providers Group filed further pleadingsits answer to the complaint, in which it denied the allegation that the rates are unjust and unreasonable. Also on these issues. On May 2, 2008,that date, FirstEnergy filed a responsive pleading. FirstEnergy is participatingmotion to intervene. 

On September 19, 2008, the FERC denied the RPM Buyers complaint. However, the FERC did grant the RPM Buyers request for a technical conference to review aspects of the RPM. The FERC also ordered PJM to file on or before December 15, 2008, a report on its progress on contemplating adjustments to the RPM as suggested by the Brattle Group in its report reviewing the MayRPM. The technical conference will take place in February, 2009. On October 20, 2008, the RPM auctionBuyers filed a request for rehearing of the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year.FERC’s September 19, 2008 order.

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MISO Resource Adequacy Proposal

MISO made a filing on December 28, 2007 that would create an enforceable planning reserve requirement in the MISO tariff for load servingload-serving entities such as the Ohio Companies, Penn Power, and FES. This requirement is proposed to become effective for the planning year beginning June 1, 2009. The filing would permit MISO to establish the reserve margin requirement for load servingload-serving entities based upon a one day loss of load in ten years standard, unless the state utility regulatory agency establishes a different planning reserve for load servingload-serving entities in its state. FirstEnergy generally supportsbelieves the proposal as it promotes a mechanism that will result in long-term commitments from both load-serving entities and resources, including both generation and demand side resources that are necessary for reliable resource adequacy and planning in the MISO footprint. Comments on the filing were filed on January 28, 2008. The FERC conditionally approved MISO’s Resource Adequacy proposal on March 26, 2008.2008, requiring MISO to submit to further compliance filings. Rehearing requests are pending on the FERC’s March 26 Order. AOn May 27, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing to address issues associated with planning reserve margins. On June 17, 2008, various parties submitted comments and protests to MISO’s compliance filing. FirstEnergy submitted comments identifying specific issues that must be clarified and addressed. On June 25, 2008, MISO submitted a second compliance filing establishing the enforcement mechanism for the reserve margin requirement which establishes deficiency payments for load-serving entities that do not meet the resource adequacy requirements. Numerous parties, including FirstEnergy, protested this filing.   On October 20, 2008, the FERC issued three orders essentially permitting the MISO Resource Adequacy program to proceed with some modifications.  First, the FERC accepted MISO's financial settlement approach for enforcement of Resource Adequacy subject to a compliance filing modifying the cost of new entry penalty. Second, the FERC conditionally accepted MISO's compliance filing on the qualifications for purchase power agreements to be capacity resources, load forecasting, loss of load expectation, and planning reserve zones. Additional compliance filings were directed on accreditation of load modifying resources and price responsive demand. Finally, the FERC largely denied rehearing of its March 26 order with the exception of issues related to behind the meter resources and certain ministerial matters. Issuance of these orders is due on or beforenot expected to delay the June 25, 2008.

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1, 2009 start date for MISO Resource Adequacy.

Organized Wholesale Power Markets

On February 21, 2008, theThe FERC issued a NOPR through which it proposesfinal rule on October 17, 2008, amending its regulations to adopt new rules that it states will “improve operations inthe operation of organized wholesale electric markets boost competition and bring additional benefits to consumers.” The proposed rule addressesin the areas of: (1) demand response and market pricing during periods of operating reserve shortages,shortage; (2) long-term power contracting,contracting; (3) market-monitoring policies,policies; and (4) the responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to their customers and other stakeholders.”  The RTOs and ISOs were directed to submit amendments to their respective tariffs to address these market operation improvements.  The final rule directs RTOs to adopt market rules permitting prices to increase during periods of supply shortages and to permit enhanced participation by demand response resources.  It also codifies and defines for the first time the roles and duties of independent market monitors within RTOs.  Finally, it adopts requirements for enhanced access by stakeholders to RTO boards of directors.  RTOs are directed to make compliance filings six months from the effective date of the final rule.  The final rule is not expected to have any material effect on FirstEnergy's operations within MISO and customers. FirstEnergy does not believe that the proposed rule will have a significant impactPJM.

FES Sales to Affiliates

On October 24, 2008, FES, on its operations. Commentsown behalf and on behalf of its generation-controlling subsidiaries, filed an application with the NOPR wereFERC seeking a waiver of the affiliate sales restrictions between FES and the Ohio Companies. The purpose of the waiver is to ensure that FES will be able to continue supplying a material portion of the electric load requirements of the Ohio Companies in January 2009 pursuant to either an ESP or MRO as filed on April 18,with the PUCO. FES previously obtained a similar waiver for electricity sales to its affiliates in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A ruling by the FERC is expected the week of December 15, 2008.

On October 31, 2008, FES executed a Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement with Met-Ed, Penelec, and The Waverly Power and Light Company (Waverly) effective November 1, 2008.  The Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement limits the amount of capacity and energy required to be supplied by FES in 2009 and 2010 to roughly two-thirds of these affiliates’ power supply requirements. Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly have committed resources in place for the balance of their expected power supply during 2009 and 2010.  Under the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly are responsible for obtaining additional power supply requirements created by the default or failure of supply of their committed resources. Prices for the power provided by FES were not changed in the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement.

Environmental Matters

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. The effects of compliance on FirstEnergy with regard to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's earnings and competitive position to the extent that it competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations. FirstEnergy estimates capital expenditures for environmental compliance of approximately $1.4 billion for the period 2008-2012.

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FirstEnergy accrues environmental liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. Unasserted claims are reflected in FirstEnergy’s determination of environmental liabilities and are accrued in the period that they become both probable and reasonably estimable.

Clean Air Act Compliance

FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 emissions regulations. Violations of such regulations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties of up to $32,500 for each day the unit is in violation. The EPA has an interim enforcement policy for SO2 regulations in Ohio that allows for compliance based on a 30-day averaging period. FirstEnergy believes it is currently in compliance with this policy, but cannot predict what action the EPA may take in the future with respect to the interim enforcement policy.

The EPA Region 5 issued a Finding of Violation and NOV to the Bay Shore Power Plant dated June 15, 2006, alleging violations to various sections of the CAA. FirstEnergy has disputed those alleged violations based on its CAA permit, the Ohio SIP and other information provided to the EPA at an August 2006 meeting with the EPA. The EPA has several enforcement options (administrative compliance order, administrative penalty order, and/or judicial, civil or criminal action) and has indicated that such option may depend on the time needed to achieve and demonstrate compliance with the rules alleged to have been violated. On June 5, 2007, the EPA requested another meeting to discuss “an appropriate compliance program” and a disagreement regarding the opacity limitemission limits applicable to the common stack for Bay Shore Units 2, 3 and 4.

FirstEnergy complies with SO2 reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by burning lower-sulfur fuel, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants, and/or using emission allowances. NOX reductions required by the 1990 Amendments are being achieved through combustion controls and the generation of more electricity at lower-emitting plants. In September 1998, the EPA finalized regulations requiring additional NOX reductions at FirstEnergy's facilities. The EPA's NOX Transport Rule imposes uniform reductions of NOX emissions (an approximate 85% reduction in utility plant NOX emissions from projected 2007 emissions) across a region of nineteen states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on a conclusion that such NOX emissions are contributing significantly to ozone levels in the eastern United States. FirstEnergy believes its facilities are also complying with the NOX budgets established under SIPs through combustion controls and post-combustion controls, including Selective Catalytic Reduction and SNCR systems, and/or using emission allowances.

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, is referred to as the NSR cases.  OE’s and Penn’s settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation was approved by the Court on July 11, 2005. This settlement agreement, in the form of a consent decree, requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above. On September 8, 2008, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the DOJ sent a letter to OE regarding its view that the company was not in compliance with the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because the installation of an SNCR at Eastlake Unit 5 was not completed by December 31, 2006. However, the DOJ acknowledged that stipulated penalties could not apply under the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because Eastlake Unit 5 was idled on December 31, 2006 pending installation of the SNCR and advised that it had exercised its discretion not to seek any other penalties for this alleged non-compliance. OE disputed the DOJ's interpretation of the consent decree in a letter dated September 22, 2008. Although the Eastlake Unit 5 issue is no longer active, OE filed a dispute resolution petition on October 23, 2008, with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, due to potential impacts on its compliance decisions with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5. Under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree, an election to repower by December 31, 2012, install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by December 31, 2010, or permanently shut down those units by December 31, 2010, is due no later than December 31, 2008. Although FirstEnergy will meet the December 31, 2008 deadline for making an election, one potential compliance option, should FGD be elected, would be to idle Burger Units 4 and 5 on December 31, 2010 pending completion of the FGD installation. Thus, OE is seeking a determination by the Court whether this approach is indeed in compliance with the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. The Court has scheduled a hearing on OE’s dispute resolution petition for November 17, 2008. The outcome of this dispute resolution process could have an impact on the option FirstEnergy ultimately elects with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5.

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On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

On May 22, 2007, FirstEnergy and FGCO received a notice letter, required 60 days prior to the filing of a citizen suit under the federal CAA, alleging violations of air pollution laws at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, including opacity limitations. Prior to the receipt of this notice, the Plant was subject to a Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning opacity emissions under which efforts to achieve compliance with the applicable laws will continue. On October 18, 2007, PennFuture filed a complaint, joined by three of its members, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On January 11, 2008, FirstEnergy filed a motion to dismiss claims alleging a public nuisance. On April 24, 2008, the Court denied the motion to dismiss, but also ruled that monetary damages could not be recovered under the public nuisance claim.

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In July 2008, three additional complaints were filed against FGCO in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. In addition to seeking damages, two of the complaints seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner”, one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint, seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. On October 14, 2008, the Court granted FGCO’s motion to consolidate discovery for all four complaints pending against the Bruce Mansfield Plant. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

On December 18, 2007, the state of New Jersey filed a CAA citizen suit alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against Reliant (the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999), GPU, Inc. and Met-Ed.  Specifically, New Jersey alleges that "modifications" at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 1995 without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program, and seeks injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. On March 14, 2008, Met-Ed filed a motion to dismiss the citizen suit claims against it and a stipulation in which the parties agreed that GPU, Inc. should be dismissed from this case. On March 26, 2008, GPU, Inc. was dismissed by the United States District Court. Although it remains liable for civilThe scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy is disputed.  By letter dated October 1, 2008, New Jersey informed the Court of its intent to file an amended complaint. Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On June 11, 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to MEW alleging that "modifications" at the Homer City Power Station occurred since 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR or criminal penaltiespermitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. MEW is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner (along with New York State Electric and fines that may be assessed relating to eventsGas Company) and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999.  The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from MEW is disputed.  Penelec is unable to predict the saleoutcome of this matter.

On May 16, 2008, FGCO received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the Portland Station in 1999, Met-EdCAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. On July 10, 2008, FGCO and the EPA entered into an ACO modifying that request and setting forth a schedule for FGCO’s response. FGCO complied with the modified schedule and otherwise intends to fully comply with the ACO, but, at this time, is indemnified by Sithe Energy against any other liability arising underunable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On August 18, 2008, FirstEnergy received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Avon Lake and Niles generating plants, as well as a copy of a nearly identical request directed to the current owner, Reliant Energy, to allow the EPA to determine whether it arises outthese generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of pre-1999 or post-1999 events.the CAA. FirstEnergy intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information request, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

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National Ambient Air Quality Standards

In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAIR covering a total of 28 states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on proposed findings that air emissions from 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia significantly contribute to non-attainment of the NAAQS for fine particles and/or the "8-hour" ozone NAAQS in other states. CAIR requireswould have required reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions in two phases (Phase I in 2009 for NOX, 2010 for SO2 and Phase II in 2015 for both NOX and SO2). FirstEnergy's Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania fossil generation facilities will be subject to caps on SO2 and NOX emissions, whereas its New Jersey fossil generation facility will be subject to only a cap on NOX emissions. According to the EPA, SO2 emissions will be reduced by 45% (from 2003 levels) by 2010 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 73% (from 2003 levels) by 2015,, ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to just 2.5 million tons annually.annually and NOX emissions will be reduced by 53% (from 2003 levels) by 2009 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 61% (from 2003 levels) by 2015, achieving a regional NOX cap ofto just 1.3 million tons annually. CAIR has beenwas challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.Columbia and on July 11, 2008, the Court vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” The Court ruling also vacated the CAIR regional cap and trade requirements for SO2 and NOX, which is currently not expected to, but may, materially impair the value of emissions allowances obtained for future compliance. On September 24, 2008, the EPA, utility, mining and certain environmental advocacy organizations petitioned the Court for a rehearing to reconsider its ruling vacating CAIR.  On October 21, 2008, the Court ordered the parties who appealed CAIR to file responses to the rehearing petitions by November 5, 2008 and directed them to address (1) whether any party is seeking vacatur of CAIR and (2) whether the Court should stay its vacatur of CAIR until EPA promulgates a revised rule. The future cost of compliance with these regulations may be substantial and maywill depend on the outcome of this litigation and how CAIR is ultimately implemented.Court’s ruling on rehearing, as well as the action taken by the EPA or Congress in response to the Court’s ruling.

Mercury Emissions

In December 2000, the EPA announced it would proceed with the development of regulations regarding hazardous air pollutants from electric power plants, identifying mercury as the hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAMR, which provides a cap-and-trade program to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in two phases; initially, capping national mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 (as a "co-benefit" from implementation of SO2 and NOX emission caps under the EPA's CAIR program) and 15 tons per year by 2018. Several states and environmental groups appealed the CAMR to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 8, 2008, the courtCourt vacated the CAMR, ruling that the EPA failed to take the necessary steps to “de-list” coal-fired power plants from its hazardous air pollutant program and, therefore, could not promulgate a cap and tradecap-and-trade program. The EPA must now seek further judicialpetitioned for rehearing by the entire Court, which denied the petition on May 20, 2008.  On October 17, 2008, the EPA (and an industry group) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of thatthe Court’s ruling vacating CAMR. The Supreme Court could grant the EPA’s petition and alter some or all of the lower Court’s decision, or the EPA could take regulatory action to promulgate new mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with mercury regulations may be substantial and will depend on the action taken by the EPA and on how they are ultimately implemented.

Pennsylvania has submitted a new mercury rule for EPA approval that does not provide a cap-and-trade approach as in the CAMR, but rather follows a command-and-control approach imposing emission limits on individual sources. It is anticipated that compliance with these regulations, if approved by the EPA and implemented, would not require the addition of mercury controls at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, FirstEnergy’s only Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, until 2015, if at all.

W. H. Sammis Plant

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W.H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, are referred to as the NSR cases.

On March 18, 2005, OE and Penn announced that they had reached a settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation. This settlement agreement, which is in the form of a consent decree, was approved by the court on July 11, 2005, and requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Consequently, if FirstEnergy fails to install such pollution control devices, for any reason, including, but not limited to, the failure of any third-party contractor to timely meet its delivery obligations for such devices, FirstEnergy could be exposed to penalties under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above.

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On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.   The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

Climate Change

In December 1997, delegates to the United Nations' climate summit in Japan adopted an agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG emitted by developed countries by 2012. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 but it failed to receive the two-thirds vote requiredwas never submitted for ratification by the United States Senate. However, the Bush administration has committed the United States to a voluntary climate change strategy to reduce domestic GHG intensity – the ratio of emissions to economic output – by 18% through 2012. Also, in an April 16, 2008 speech, President Bush set a policy goal of stopping the growth of GHG emissions by 2025, as the next step beyond the 2012 strategy. In addition, the EPACT established a Committee on Climate Change Technology to coordinate federal climate change activities and promote the development and deployment of GHG reducing technologies.

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level.  At the international level, efforts to reach a new global agreement to reduce GHG emissions post-2012 have begun with the Bali Roadmap, which outlines a two-year process designed to lead to an agreement in 2009. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the Senate EnvironmentalEnvironment and Public Works Committees haveCommittee has passed one such bill. State activities, primarily the northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court found that the EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles as “air pollutants” under the CAA. Although this decision did not address CO2 emissions from electric generating plants, the EPA has similar authority under the CAA to regulate “air pollutants” from those and other facilities. On July 11, 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, soliciting input from the public on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of regulation of CO2 under the CAA.

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FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions could require significant capital and other expenditures. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy's plants. In addition, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy's operations. As provided in the Clean Water Act, authority to grant federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water discharge permits can be assumed by a state. Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have assumed such authority.

On September 7, 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing large electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). On January 26, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded portions of the rulemaking dealing with impingement mortality and entrainment back to the EPA for further rulemaking and eliminated the restoration option from the EPA’s regulations. On July 9, 2007, the EPA suspended this rule, noting that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment (BPJ) to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. On April 14, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari to review certain aspectsone significant aspect of the Second Circuit’s decision.Circuit Court’s opinion which is whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures.  Oral argument before the Supreme Court is scheduled for December 2, 2008. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness. Depending on the results of such studies, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of the Second Circuit’s decision, the EPA’s further rulemaking and any action taken by the states exercising BPJ,best professional judgment, the future costcosts of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.

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Regulation of Hazardous Waste

As a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated. Certain fossil-fuel combustion waste products, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation. The EPA subsequently determined that regulation of coal ash as a hazardous waste is unnecessary. In April 2000, the EPA announced that it will develop national standards regulating disposal of coal ash under its authority to regulate non-hazardous waste.

Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities.  As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had approximately $2.0$1.9 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As part of the application to the NRC to transfer the ownership of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Perry to NGC in 2005, FirstEnergy agreed to contribute another $80 million to these trusts by 2010. Consistent with NRC guidance, utilizing a “real” rate of return on these funds of approximately 2% over inflation, these trusts are expected to exceed the minimum decommissioning funding requirements set by the NRC. Conservatively, these estimates do not include any rate of return that the trusts may earn over the 20-year plant useful life extensions that FirstEnergy (and Exelon for TMI-1 as it relates to the timing of the decommissioning of TMI-2) seeks for these facilities.

The CompaniesUtilities have been named as PRPs at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all PRPs for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Therefore, environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2008, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Companies'Utilities' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $92$94 million (JCP&L - $65$68 million, TE - $1 million, CEI - $1 million and FirstEnergy Corp. - $25$24 million) have been accrued through March 31,September 30, 2008. Included in the total for JCP&L are accrued liabilities of approximately $56$57 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants in New Jersey;Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.

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Other Legal Proceedings

Power Outages and Related Litigation

In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L's territory. In an investigation into the causes of the outages and the reliability of the transmission and distribution systems of all four of New Jersey’s electric utilities, the NJBPU concluded that there was not a prima facie case demonstrating that, overall, JCP&L provided unsafe, inadequate or improper service to its customers. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages arising from the July 1999 service interruptions in the JCP&L territory.

In August 2002, the trial courtCourt granted partial summary judgment to JCP&L and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and strict product liability. In November 2003, the trial courtCourt granted JCP&L's motion to decertify the class and denied plaintiffs' motion to permit into evidence their class-wide damage model indicating damages in excess of $50 million. These class decertification and damage rulings were appealed to the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division issued a decision in July 2004, affirming the decertification of the originally certified class, but remanding for certification of a class limited to those customers directly impacted by the outages of JCP&L transformers in Red Bank, NJ, based on a common incident involving the failure of the bushings of two large transformers in the Red Bank substation resulting in planned and unplanned outages in the area during a 2-3 day period. In 2005, JCP&L renewed its motion to decertify the class based on a very limited number of class members who incurred damages and also filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, breach of contract and punitive damages. In July 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the punitive damage claim and again decertified the class based on the fact that a vast majority of the class members did not suffer damages and those that did would be more appropriately addressed in individual actions. Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the New Jersey Appellate Division which, in March 2007, reversed the decertification of the Red Bank class and remanded this matter back to the Trial Court to allow plaintiffs sufficient time to establish a damage model or individual proof of damages. JCP&L filed a petition for allowance of an appeal of the Appellate Division ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court which was denied in May 2007. Proceedings are continuing in the Superior Court and a case management conference with the presiding Judge is scheduled forwas held on June 13, 2008.  FirstEnergyAt that conference, the plaintiffs stated their intent to drop their efforts to create a class-wide damage model and, instead of dismissing the class action, expressed their desire for a bifurcated trial on liability and damages. The judge directed the plaintiffs to indicate, on or before August 22, 2008, how they intend to proceed under this scenario.  Thereafter, the judge expects to hold another pretrial conference to address plaintiffs' proposed procedure. JCP&L has received the plaintiffs’ proposed plan of action, and intends to file its objection to the proposed plan, and also file a renewed motion to decertify the class. JCP&L is defending this class action but is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.outcome. No liability has been accrued as of March 31,September 30, 2008.

 
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Nuclear Plant Matters

On May 14, 2007, the Office of Enforcement of the NRC issued a DFI to FENOC, following FENOC’s reply to an April 2, 2007 NRC request for information about two reports prepared by expert witnesses for an insurance arbitration (the insurance claim was subsequently withdrawn by FirstEnergy in December 2007) related to Davis-Besse. The NRC indicated that this information was needed for the NRC “to determine whether an Order or other action should be taken pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, to provide reasonable assurance that FENOC will continue to operate its licensed facilities in accordance with the terms of its licenses and the Commission’s regulations.” FENOC was directed to submit the information to the NRC within 30 days. On June 13, 2007, FENOC filed a response to the NRC’s DFI reaffirming that it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes and omissions leading up to the damage to the reactor vessel head and that it remains committed to operating Davis-Besse and FirstEnergy’s other nuclear plants safely and responsibly. FENOC submitted a supplemental response clarifying certain aspects of the DFI response to the NRC on July 16, 2007. On August 15, 2007, the NRC issued a confirmatory order imposing these commitments. FENOC must inform the NRC’s Office of Enforcement after it completes the key commitments embodied in the NRC’s order. FENOC has conducted the employee training required by the confirmatory order and a consultant has performed follow-up reviews to ensure the effectiveness of that training.  The NRC continues to monitor FENOC’s compliance with theseall the commitments made in the confirmatory order.

In August 2007, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC to renew the operating licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) for an additional 20 years. The NRC is subjectrequired by statute to futureprovide an opportunity for members of the public to request a hearing on the application. No members of the public, however, requested a hearing on the Beaver Valley license renewal application. On September 24, 2008, the NRC review.issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Beaver Valley. FENOC will continue to work with the NRC Staff as it completes its environmental and technical reviews of the license renewal application, and expects to obtain renewed licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station in 2009. If renewed licenses are issued by the NRC, the Beaver Valley Power Station’s licenses would be extended until 2036 and 2047 for Units 1 and 2, respectively.

44



Other Legal Matters

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy's normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.

On August 22, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against OE in Jefferson County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial based on claims of negligence and eight other tort counts alleging damages from W.H. Sammis Plant air emissions. The two named plaintiffs are also seeking injunctive relief to eliminate harmful emissions and repair property damage and the institution of a medical monitoring program for class members. On April 5, 2007, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ request to certify this case as a class action and, accordingly, did not appoint the plaintiffs as class representatives or their counsel as class counsel. On July 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ counsel voluntarily withdrew their request for reconsideration of the April 5, 2007 Court order denying class certification and the Court heard oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, which OE opposed. On August 2, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint. The plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s denial of the motion for certification as a class action and motion to amend their complaint.complaint and oral argument was held on November 5, 2008.

JCP&L's bargaining unit employees filed a grievance challenging JCP&L's 2002 call-out procedure that required bargaining unit employees to respond to emergency power outages. On May 20, 2004, an arbitration panel concluded that the call-out procedure violated the parties' collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the June 1, 2005 hearing, the arbitration panel decided not to hear testimony on damages and closed the proceedings. On September 9, 2005, the arbitration panel issued an opinion to award approximately $16 million to the bargaining unit employees. On February 6, 2006, a federal district courtCourt granted a union motion to dismiss, as premature, a JCP&L appeal of the award filed on October 18, 2005. A final order identifying the individual damage amounts was issued on October 31, 2007. The award appeal process was initiated. The union filed a motion with the federal courtCourt to confirm the award and JCP&L filed its answer and counterclaim to vacate the award on December 31, 2007. JCP&L and the union filed briefs in June and July of 2008 and oral arguments were held in the fall. The court held a scheduling conference in April 2008 where it set a briefing schedule with all briefsCourt has yet to be concluded by July 2008.render its decision. JCP&L recognized a liability for the potential $16 million award in 2005.

The union employees at the Bruce Mansfield Plant have been working without a labor contract since February 15, 2008. The parties are continuing to bargain with the assistance of a federal mediator. FirstEnergy has a strike mitigation plan ready in the event of a strike.

FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

31



NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS

SFAS 141(R) – “Business Combinations”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), whichwhich: (i) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; (ii) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) attempts to reduce the complexity of existing GAAP related to business combinations. The Standard includes both core principles and pertinent application guidance, eliminating the need for numerous EITF issues and other interpretative guidance. SFAS 141(R) will affect business combinations entered into by FirstEnergy that close after January 1, 2009. In addition, the Standard also affects the accounting for changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties made after January 1, 2009, that were established as part of a business combination prior to the implementation of this Standard. FirstEnergy is currently evaluatingUnder SFAS 141(R), adjustments to the acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position balances occurring outside the measurement period will be recorded as a component of income tax expense, rather than goodwill. The impact of adoptingFirstEnergy’s application of this Standard on its financial statements.in periods after implementation will be dependent upon acquisitions at that time.

45



SFAS 160 - “Noncontrolling“Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on FirstEnergy’s financial statements.

 SFAS 161 - “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161 whichthat enhances the current disclosure framework for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Statement requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. This disclosure better conveys the purpose of derivative use in terms of the risks that the entity is intending to manage. The FASB believes disclosingthat additional required disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format is designed towill provide a more complete picture of the location in an entity’s financial statements of both the derivative positions existing at period end and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. Disclosing information about credit-risk-related contingent features is designed to provide information on the potential effect on an entity’s liquidity from using derivatives. Finally, thisThis Statement also requires cross-referencing within the footnotes which is intended to help users of financial statements locate important information about derivative instruments. The Statement is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating the impact of adoptingexpects this Standard onto increase its financial statements.disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.


 
3246

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholders and Board of
Directors of FirstEnergy Corp.:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of FirstEnergy Corp. and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 9, Note 3, Note 2(G) and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008









 
33




FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In millions except, 
  per share amounts) 
REVENUES:      
 Electric utilities $2,913  $2,659 
 Unregulated businesses  364   314 
 Total revenues*  3,277   2,973 
         
EXPENSES:        
 Fuel and purchased power  1,328   1,121 
 Other operating expenses  800   749 
 Provision for depreciation  164   156 
 Amortization of regulatory assets  258   251 
 Deferral of new regulatory assets  (105)  (144)
 General taxes  215   203 
 Total expenses  2,660   2,336 
         
OPERATING INCOME  617   637 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
 Investment income  17   33 
 Interest expense  (179)  (185)
 Capitalized interest  8   5 
 Total other expense  (154)  (147)
         
INCOME  BEFORE INCOME TAXES  463   490 
         
INCOME TAXES  187   200 
         
NET INCOME $276  $290 
         
         
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $0.91  $0.92 
         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF BASIC SHARES OUTSTANDING  304   314 
         
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $0.90  $0.92 
         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING  307   316 
         
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $0.55  $0.50 
         
         
* Includes $114 million and $108 million of excise tax collections in the first quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively. 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral 
part of these statements.        

3447

 
 

FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
       
   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
  2008  2007 
       
   (In millions) 
       
NET INCOME $276  $290 
         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (20)  (11)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges  (13)  21 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  (58)  17 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (91)  27 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income  (33)  9 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (58)  18 
         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $218  $308 
         
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral 
part of these statements.        
FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
              
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
              
   Three Months  Nine Months 
   Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
   2008  2007  2008  2007 
   (In millions, except per share amounts) 
REVENUES:            
Electric utilities $3,469  $3,242  $9,247  $8,619 
Unregulated businesses  435   399   1,179   1,104 
Total revenues *  3,904   3,641   10,426   9,723 
                  
EXPENSES:                
Fuel  356   327   1,000   887 
Purchased power  1,306   1,168   3,376   2,914 
Other operating expenses  794   756   2,375   2,255 
Provision for depreciation  168   162   500   477 
Amortization of regulatory assets  291   288   795   785 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (58)  (107)  (261)  (399)
General taxes  201   197   596   589 
Total expenses  3,058   2,791   8,381   7,508 
                  
OPERATING INCOME  846   850   2,045   2,215 
                  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Investment income  40   30   73   93 
Interest expense  (192)  (203)  (559)  (593)
Capitalized interest  15   9   36   21 
Total other expense  (137)  (164)  (450)  (479)
                  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  709   686   1,595   1,736 
                  
INCOME TAXES  238   273   585   695 
                  
NET INCOME $471  $413  $1,010  $1,041 
                  
                  
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $1.55  $1.36  $3.32  $3.39 
                  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF                
BASIC SHARES OUTSTANDING  304   304   304   307 
                  
                  
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $1.54  $1.34  $3.29  $3.35 
                  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF                
DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING  307   307   307   311 
                  
                  
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $1.10  $1.00  $1.65  $1.50 
                  
                  
* Includes excise tax collections of $115 million and $113 million in the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, 
   respectively, and $329 million and $322 million in the nine months ended September 2008 and 2007, respectively. 
                  
   The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral part of 
   these statements.                

 
3548

 

FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
             
  Three Months  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (In millions) 
             
NET INCOME $471  $413  $1,010  $1,041 
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (20)  (12)  (60)  (34)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges  26   (10)  21   10 
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities  (100)  26   (181)  89 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (94)  4   (220)  65 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other                
comprehensive income  (34)  -   (81)  19 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (60)  4   (139)  46 
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $411  $417  $871  $1,087 
                 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral part of 
these statements.                

FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
   2008  
2007
 
  (In millions) 
ASSETS      
       
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $70  $129 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $34 million and        
$36 million, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  1,264   1,256 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $24 million and        
$22 million, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  159   165 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  570   521 
Prepayments and other  307   159 
   2,370   2,230 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:        
In service  24,894   24,619 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  10,454   10,348 
   14,440   14,271 
Construction work in progress  1,465   1,112 
   15,905   15,383 
INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  2,025   2,127 
Investments in lease obligation bonds  679   717 
  Other  714   754 
   3,418   3,598 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  5,606   5,607 
Regulatory assets  3,797   3,945 
Pension assets  723   700 
  Other  596   605 
   10,722   10,857 
  $32,415  $32,068 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $2,183  $2,014 
Short-term borrowings  1,649   903 
Accounts payable  754   777 
Accrued taxes  416   408 
  Other  1,167   1,046 
   6,169   5,148 
CAPITALIZATION:        
  Common stockholders’ equity-        
Common stock, $.10 par value, authorized 375,000,000 shares-        
304,835,407 shares outstanding.  31   31 
 Other paid-in capital  5,472   5,509 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (108)  (50)
  Retained earnings  3,596   3,487 
Total common stockholders' equity  8,991   8,977 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  8,332   8,869 
   17,323   17,846 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  2,717   2,671 
Asset retirement obligations  1,287   1,267 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  1,052   1,060 
Power purchase contract loss liability  682   750 
Retirement benefits  911   894 
Lease market valuation liability  643   663 
  Other  1,631   1,769 
   8,923   9,074 
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $32,415  $32,068 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral part of these 
balance sheets.        

 
3649

 

FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In millions) 
ASSETS      
       
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $181  $129 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $31 million and        
$36 million, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  1,383   1,256 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $9 million and        
$22 million, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  148   165 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  587   521 
Prepayments and other  505   159 
   2,804   2,230 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:        
In service  26,141   24,619 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  10,714   10,348 
   15,427   14,271 
Construction work in progress  1,730   1,112 
   17,157   15,383 
INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  1,873   2,127 
Investments in lease obligation bonds  674   717 
Other  720   754 
   3,267   3,598 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  5,583   5,607 
Regulatory assets  3,433   3,945 
Pension assets  768   700 
Other  550   605 
   10,334   10,857 
  $33,562  $32,068 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $2,509  $2,014 
Short-term borrowings  2,392   903 
Accounts payable  744   777 
Accrued taxes  253   408 
Other  1,149   1,046 
   7,047   5,148 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholders’ equity-        
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 375,000,000 shares-        
304,835,407 outstanding  31   31 
Other paid-in capital  5,465   5,509 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (189)  (50)
Retained earnings  3,994   3,487 
Total common stockholders' equity  9,301   8,977 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  8,674   8,869 
   17,975   17,846 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  2,793   2,671 
Asset retirement obligations  1,314   1,267 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  1,035   1,060 
Power purchase contract loss liability  603   750 
Retirement benefits  914   894 
Lease market valuation liability  319   663 
Other  1,562   1,769 
   8,540   9,074 
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $33,562  $32,068 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral part of these 
balance sheets.        

FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In millions) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $276  $290 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  164   156 
Amortization of regulatory assets  258   251 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (105)  (144)
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization  26   26 
Deferred purchased power and other costs  (59)  (116)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  89   53 
Investment impairment  16   5 
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  4   (25)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (142)  (65)
Commodity derivative transactions, net  8   1 
Gain on asset sales  (37)  - 
Cash collateral received  8   6 
Pension trust contribution  -   (300)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  (6)  (155)
Materials and supplies  (17)  15 
Prepayments and other current assets  (115)  (74)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (23)  (108)
Accrued taxes  (5)  73 
Accrued interest  91   86 
Electric service prepayment programs  (19)  (17)
  Other  (56)  (15)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  356   (57)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  -   250 
Short-term borrowings, net  746   1,139 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Common stock  -   (891)
Long-term debt  (368)  (13)
Net controlled disbursement activity  6   12 
Stock-based compensation tax benefit  11   8 
Common stock dividend payments  (168)  (159)
Net cash provided from financing activities  227   346 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (711)  (296)
Proceeds from asset sales  50   - 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  361   273 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (384)  (294)
Cash investments  58   25 
Other  (16)  2 
Net cash used for investing activities  (642)  (290)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (59)  (1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  129   90 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $70  $89 
         
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an integral part of these statements. 

 
3750

 


FIRSTENERGY CORP. 
      
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
      
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
      
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net income $1,010 $1,041 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-       
Provision for depreciation  500  477 
Amortization of regulatory assets  795  785 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (261) (399)
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization  82  75 
Deferred purchased power and other costs  (163) (265)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  278  (158)
Investment impairment  63  16 
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  (62) (41)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (127) (50)
Stock-based compensation  (74) (32)
Commodity derivative transactions, net  4  5 
Gain on asset sales  (43) (35)
Cash collateral  21  (50)
Pension trust contribution  -  (300)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-       
Receivables  (117) (329)
Materials and supplies  (34) 62 
Prepayments and other current assets  (264) (39)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-       
Accounts payable  (34) (15)
Accrued taxes  (166) 355 
Accrued interest  107  104 
Electric service prepayment programs  (58) (52)
Other  (29) 55 
Net cash provided from operating activities  1,428  1,210 
        
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:       
New Financing-       
Long-term debt  631  1,100 
Short-term borrowings, net  1,489  - 
Redemptions and Repayments-       
Common stock  -  (918)
Long-term debt  (733) (647)
Short-term borrowings, net  -  (535)
Net controlled disbursement activity  6  6 
Stock-based compensation tax benefit  24  16 
Common stock dividend payments  (503) (464)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  914  (1,442)
        
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:       
Property additions  (2,177) (1,127)
Proceeds from asset sales  64  37 
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction  -  1,329 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  1,144  1,010 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (1,215) (1,126)
Cash investments  72  48 
Restricted funds for debt redemption  (82) - 
Other  (96) 1 
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities  (2,290) 172 
        
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  52  (60)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  129  90 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $181 $30 
        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Corp. are an 
integral part of these statements.       

51

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


FES is a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. FES provides energy-related products and services primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Maryland, and through its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, owns or leases and operates FirstEnergy’s fossil and hydroelectric generation facilities and owns FirstEnergy’s nuclear generation facilities, respectively. FENOC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains the nuclear generating facilities.

FES’ revenues are primarily from the sale of electricity (provided from FES’ generating facilities and through purchased power arrangements) to affiliated utility companies to meet all or a portion of their PLR and default service requirements. These affiliated power sales include a full-requirements PSA with OE, CEI and TE to supply each of their PLRdefault service obligations through 2008, at prices that take into consideration their respective PUCO-authorized billing rates. FES also has a partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement with its affiliates, Met-Ed and Penelec, to supply a portion of each of their respective PLRdefault service obligations at fixed prices through 2010. The fixed prices under the partial requirements agreement are expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. FES also supplies the majoritya portion of the PLRPenn’s default service requirements of Penn at market-based rates as a result of aPenn’s 2008 competitive solicitation conducted by Penn.solicitations. FES’ existing contractual obligations to Penn expire on May 31, 2008,2009, but could continue if FES successfully bids in future competitive solicitations. FES’ revenues also include competitive retail and wholesale sales to non-affiliated customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Michigan.

Results of Operations

In the first threenine months of 2008, net income decreased to $90$344 million from $103$409 million in the same period in 2007. The decrease in net income was primarily due to higher fuel and other operating expenses, partially offset by lower purchased power costs and higher revenues.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $81$154 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period inof 2007 due to increases in revenues from non-affiliated and affiliated wholesale sales, partially offset by lower retail generation sales. Non-affiliated wholesale revenues increased as a result of higher capacity prices and sales volumes in the PJM market, partially offset by decreased sales volumes in the MISO market. Retail generation sales revenues decreased as a result of decreased sales in the PJM market partially offset by increased sales in the MISO market. Lower sales in the PJM market were primarily due to lower contract renewals for commercial and industrial customers. GreaterIncreased sales in the MISO market were primarily due to FES’FES capturing more shopping customers in Penn’s service territory, partially offset by lower customer usage. Non-affiliated wholesale revenues increased as a result of more generation available for wholesale sales to non-affiliates.

The increase in affiliated company wholesale sales was due to greaterhigher unit prices for the Ohio Companies partially offset by lower unit prices for the Pennsylvania Companies and decreased sales volumes to all affiliates. Higher unit prices on sales to the Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies to meet their higher retail generation sales requirements. Higher unit prices resulted from the PSA provision, of the full-requirements PSA under whichwhereby PSA rates reflect the increase in the Ohio Companies’ retail generation rates. While unit prices for each of the Pennsylvania Companies did not change, the mix of sales among the companies caused the composite price to decline. The higherlower PSA sales volumes to the Ohio and Pennsylvania Companies were due to increased Met-Edmilder weather and Penelec generation sales requirements. These increases were partially offset by lower sales to Penn due todecreased default service requirements in Penn’s service territory as a 45% increase in customer shopping in the first quarterresult of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007.

Transmission revenue increased $10 million due to increased retail load in the MISO market and higher transmission prices ($12 million), partially offset by reduced FTR auction revenues ($2 million).its RFP process.

Changes in revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007 are summarized below:

 Three  Months Ended    Nine  Months Ended   
 March 31, Increase  September 30, Increase 
Revenues by Type of Service 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Non-Affiliated Generation Sales:
              
Retail
 
$
160
 
$
174
 
$
(14
) 
$
485
 
$
547
 
$
(62
)
Wholesale
  
129
  
103
  
26
   
509
  
426
  
83
 
Total Non-Affiliated Generation Sales
  
289
  
277
  
12
   
994
 
973
 
21
 
Affiliated Generation Sales
  
776
  
714
  
62
   
2,266
 
2,210
 
56
 
Transmission
  
33
  
23
  
10
   
113
 
71
 
42
 
Other
  
1
  
4
  
(3
)  
39
  
4
  
35
 
Total Revenues
 
$
1,099
 
$
1,018
 
$
81
  
$
3,412
 
$
3,258
 
$
154
 


 
3852

 


The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues from non-affiliated and affiliated generation sales in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period last year:

 Increase  Increase 
Source of Change in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
  
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Retail:        
Effect of 9.0% decrease in sales volumes
 $(16)
Effect of 13.2% decrease in sales volumes
 $(73)
Change in prices
  
2
   
11
 
  
(14
)  
(62
)
Wholesale:        
Effect of 3.5% increase in sales volumes
  4 
Effect of 4.6% increase in sales volumes
  19 
Change in prices
  
22
   
64
 
  
26
   
83
 
Net Increase in Non-Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
12
  
$
21
 

 Increase  Increase 
Source of Change in Affiliated Generation Revenues
 
(Decrease)
  
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Ohio Companies:        
Effect of 1.2% increase in sales volumes
 $6 
Effect of 1.7% decrease in sales volumes
 $(28)
Change in prices
  
44
   
97
 
  
50
   
69
 
Pennsylvania Companies:        
Effect of 9.0% increase in sales volumes
  16 
Effect of 0.2% decrease in sales volumes
  (1)
Change in prices
  
(4
)  
(12
)
  
12
   
(13
)
Net Increase in Affiliated Generation Revenues 
$
62
  
$
56
 

Transmission revenue increased $42 million due primarily to higher rates for transmission service in MISO and PJM. Other revenue increased by $34 million principally due to revenue from affiliated companies for the lessor equity interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 and Perry that were acquired by NGC during the second quarter of 2008.

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $94$272 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007. The following table summarizestables summarize the factors contributing to the changes in fuel and purchased power costs in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period last year:

Source of Change in Fuel and Purchased Power
 
Increase
 (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Nuclear Fuel:    
Change due to increased unit costs
  $1 
Change due to volume consumed
  (3)
   (2)
Fossil Fuel:    
Change due to increased unit costs
  19 
Change due to volume consumed
  71 
   90 
Non-affiliated Purchased Power:    
Change due to increased unit costs
  55 
Change due to volume purchased
  (34)
   21 
Affiliated Purchased Power:    
Change due to decreased unit costs
  (16)
Change due to volume purchased
  (35)
   (51)
Net Increase in Fuel and Purchased Power Costs 
$
58
 
Source of Change in Fuel Costs
Increase
(In millions)
Fossil Fuel:
Change due to volume consumed
 $98
Change due to increased unit costs
73
171
Nuclear Fuel:
Change due to volume consumed
4
Change due to increased unit costs
3
7
Net Increase in Fuel Costs $178


Fossil fuel costs increased $90$171 million in the first threenine months of 2008 primarily as a result of increased coal consumption reflectingthe assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interest in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007 and higher generation as a result of fewer outages in 2008 compared to 2007. Higher unit prices were due to increased coal transportation costs, increased prices for existing eastern coal contracts and emission allowance costs in the first quarter of 2008.costs. The higherincreased fossil fuel costs were partially offset by lower nuclear fuel costs of $2 million. Lower nuclear fuel costs reflect decreased nuclear generation primarily as a result of$25 million adjustment resulting from the refueling outage at Davis-Besseannual coal inventory that reduced expense in the first quarter of2008 period. Nuclear fuel expense increased $7 million reflecting higher generation in 2008.

 
3953

 


Source of Change in Purchased Power Costs
 
Increase
 (Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Purchased Power From Non-affiliates:    
Change due to volume purchased
 $(121)
Change due to increased unit costs
  192 
   71 
Purchased Power From Affiliates    
Change due to volume purchased
  (126)
Change due to decreased unit costs
  (8)
   (134)
Net Decrease in Purchased Power Costs 
$
(63
)


Purchased power costs decreased as a result of lowerreduced purchases from affiliates, partially offset by increased non-affiliated purchased power costs. Purchases from affiliated companies decreased as a result of the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO; prior to the assignment, FGCO in October 2007.purchased the associated output from CEI and TE. Purchased power costs from non-affiliates increased primarily as a result of higher spot market ratesprices in MISO and PJM partially offset by reduced volumevolumes reflecting lower retail sales requirements due to increasedand more available fossil generation.

Other operating expenses increased by $33$132 million in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007 primarily due to lease expenses relating to the assignment of CEI’s and TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO ($36 million) and the sale and leaseback of Mansfield Unit 1 that were($72 million) completed subsequent toin the first quarter insecond half of 2007. Higher nuclear operating costs were due to thean additional refueling outage at Davis-Besseduring the first nine months of 2008 compared with 2007. Higher fossil operating costs were primarily due to a cancelled fossil project ($13 million), additional planned maintenance outages in 2008, employee benefits and preparatory work associated with the Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage that is scheduled for the second quarter of 2008.reduced gains from excess emission allowance sales.

Depreciation expense increased by $2$26 million in the first threenine months of 2008 primarily due to fossilthe assignment of the Mansfield Plant to FGCO described above and nuclear property additions since the first quarterNGC’s acquisition of 2007.

General taxes increased by $1 millioncertain lessor equity interest in the first three monthssale and leaseback of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 as a result of higher gross receipts taxesPerry and property taxes.Beaver Valley Unit 2.

Other Expense

Other expense increaseddecreased by $4$8 million in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007 primarily as a result of  an increasedecreased interest expense (net of capitalized interest), partially offset by lower miscellaneous income. Affiliated interest expense decreased $36 million primarily as a result of reduced loans from the unregulated money pool. Lower miscellaneous income resulted from a $13 million decrease in net earnings from nuclear decommissioning trust investments due primarily to securities impairments and reduced investment income from loans to the unregulated money pool partially offset by lower interest expense. Lower interest expense reflected the repayment of notes issued to associated companies in connection with the transfers of generation assets in 2005, partially offset by the issuance of lower-cost pollution control debt subsequent to March 31, 2007.($15 million).

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to FES.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to FES.




 
4054

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 8, Note 4, Note 2(G) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008




 
41



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
       
REVENUES:      
Electric sales to affiliates $776,307  $713,674 
Electric sales to non-affiliates  301,266   287,629 
Other  21,543   16,990 
Total revenues  1,099,116   1,018,293 
         
EXPENSES:        
Fuel  321,689   233,535 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  206,724   186,203 
Purchased power from affiliates  25,485   76,483 
Other operating expenses  296,546   263,596 
Provision for depreciation  49,742   48,010 
General taxes  23,197   21,718 
Total expenses  923,383   829,545 
         
OPERATING INCOME  175,733   188,748 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (2,904)  19,732 
Interest expense to affiliates  (7,210)  (29,446)
Interest expense - other  (24,535)  (17,358)
Capitalized interest  6,663   3,209 
Total other expense  (27,986)  (23,863)
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  147,747   164,885 
         
INCOME TAXES  57,763   62,381 
         
NET INCOME  89,984   102,504 
         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (1,820)  (1,360)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  5,718   17,758 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  (51,852)  17,450 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (47,954)  33,848 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income  (17,403)  12,333 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (30,551)  21,515 
         
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $59,433  $124,019 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an 
integral part of these statements.        
         

42



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $2  $2 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $6,988,000 and        
$8,072,000, respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  125,116   133,846 
Associated companies  317,740   376,499 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $2,500,000 and $9,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  2,224   3,823 
Notes receivable from associated companies  737,387   92,784 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  474,625   427,015 
Prepayments and other  135,734   92,340 
   1,792,828   1,126,309 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:        
In service  8,703,760   8,294,768 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  4,032,545   3,892,013 
   4,671,215   4,402,755 
Construction work in progress  1,058,080   761,701 
   5,729,295   5,164,456 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  1,263,338   1,332,913 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  62,900   62,900 
Other  24,388   40,004 
   1,350,626   1,435,817 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits  256,983   276,923 
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies  67,256   215,258 
Goodwill  24,248   24,248 
Property taxes  47,774   47,774 
Pension assets  16,070   16,723 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  85,695   70,803 
Other  34,819   43,953 
   532,845   695,682 
  $9,405,594  $8,422,264 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $1,608,456  $1,441,196 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  1,145,959   264,064 
Other  700,000   300,000 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  405,668   445,264 
Other  185,704   177,121 
Accrued taxes  142,834   171,451 
Other  248,106   237,806 
   4,436,727   3,036,902 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity -        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 750 shares-        
7 shares outstanding  1,161,473   1,164,922 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  110,103   140,654 
Retained earnings  1,188,639   1,108,655 
Total common stockholder's equity  2,460,215   2,414,231 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  77,956   533,712 
   2,538,171  ��2,947,943 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  1,051,871   1,060,119 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  59,969   61,116 
Asset retirement obligations  823,686   810,114 
Retirement benefits  65,348   63,136 
Property taxes  48,095   48,095 
Lease market valuation liability  341,881   353,210 
Other  39,846   41,629 
   2,430,696   2,437,419 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $9,405,594  $8,422,264 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they related to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an 
integral part of these balance sheets.        

43



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $89,984  $102,504 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  49,742   48,010 
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization  25,426   26,437 
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  (34,887)  - 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  30,781   21,210 
Investment impairment  14,943   4,169 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (11,042)  (8,297)
Commodity derivative transactions, net  8,086   537 
Gain on asset sales  (4,964)  - 
Cash collateral, net  1,601   1,384 
Pension trust contribution  -   (64,020)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:        
Receivables  69,533   (62,940)
Materials and supplies  (12,948)  10,580 
Prepayments and other current assets  (12,260)  (1,440)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (17,149)  213,484 
Accrued taxes  (28,652)  (2,913)
Accrued interest  (728)  2,930 
Other  (7,514)  6,694 
Net cash provided from operating activities  159,952   298,329 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Equity contribution from parent  -   700,000 
Short-term borrowings, net  1,281,896   197,731 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (288,603)  (745,444)
Common stock dividend payments  (10,000)  - 
Net cash provided from financing activities  983,293   152,287 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (476,529)  (117,506)
Proceeds from asset sales  5,088   - 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  173,123   178,632 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (181,079)  (188,076)
Loans to associated companies, net  (644,604)  (319,898)
Other  (19,244)  (3,768)
Net cash used for investing activities  (1,143,245)  (450,616)
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $2 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of 
these statements.        




4455

 


FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
             
  Three Months  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
             
REVENUES:            
Electric sales to affiliates $785,681  $805,372  $2,266,271  $2,209,743 
Electric sales to non-affiliates  381,483   337,561   994,100   972,591 
Other  74,440   27,975   151,627   75,598 
Total revenues  1,241,604   1,170,908   3,411,998   3,257,932 
                 
EXPENSES:                
Fuel  349,946   301,786   982,185   804,201 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  221,493   228,755   648,556   577,831 
Purchased power from affiliates  15,821   62,508   75,834   209,576 
Other operating expenses  279,184   235,033   863,468   731,774 
Provision for depreciation  64,633   48,500   170,535   145,030 
General taxes  21,736   22,242   64,728   64,870 
Total expenses  952,813   898,824   2,805,306   2,533,282 
                 
OPERATING INCOME  288,791   272,084   606,692   724,650 
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Miscellaneous income  18,427   12,655   13,449   47,756 
Interest expense - affiliates  (8,015)  (9,641)  (25,953)  (61,904)
Interest expense - other  (32,769)  (31,794)  (81,809)  (70,845)
Capitalized interest  12,395   5,131   29,599   12,763 
Total other expense  (9,962)  (23,649)  (64,714)  (72,230)
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  278,829   248,435   541,978   652,420 
                 
INCOME TAXES  93,174   93,671   198,245   243,736 
                 
NET INCOME  185,655   154,764   343,733   408,684 
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (1,821)  (1,360)  (5,462)  (4,080)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  27,277   4,863   15,075   9,451 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  (90,198)  21,263   (159,759)  80,053 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (64,742)  24,766   (150,146)  85,424 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other                
  comprehensive income  (24,781)  8,915   (55,497)  30,474 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (39,961)  15,851   (94,649)  54,950 
                 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $145,694  $170,615  $249,084  $463,634 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they related to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral part of 
these balance sheets.                

56



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $2  $2 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $5,840,000 and $8,072,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  137,126   133,846 
Associated companies  263,779   376,499 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $6,798,000 and $9,000        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  22,924   3,823 
Notes receivable from associated companies  156,926   92,784 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  497,276   427,015 
Prepayments and other  179,530   92,340 
   1,257,563   1,126,309 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:        
In service  9,834,662   8,294,768 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  4,211,717   3,892,013 
   5,622,945   4,402,755 
Construction work in progress  1,385,652   761,701 
   7,008,597   5,164,456 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  1,145,384   1,332,913 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  62,900   62,900 
Other  40,573   40,004 
   1,248,857   1,435,817 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits  230,341   276,923 
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies  71,356   215,258 
Goodwill  24,248   24,248 
Property taxes  47,774   47,774 
Pension assets  14,764   16,723 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  57,365   70,803 
Other  49,702   43,953 
   495,550   695,682 
  $10,010,567  $8,422,264 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $1,938,215  $1,441,196 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  311,750   264,064 
Other  1,000,000   300,000 
Accounts payable- ��      
Associated companies  361,447   445,264 
Other  163,173   177,121 
Accrued taxes  80,719   171,451 
Other  217,914   237,806 
   4,073,218   3,036,902 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 750 shares-        
7 shares outstanding  1,461,541   1,164,922 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  46,005   140,654 
Retained earnings  1,409,388   1,108,655 
Total common stockholder's equity  2,916,934   2,414,231 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  558,923   533,712 
   3,475,857   2,947,943 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  1,035,013   1,060,119 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  63,968   61,116 
Asset retirement obligations  849,475   810,114 
Retirement benefits  67,567   63,136 
Property taxes  48,095   48,095 
Lease market valuation liability  319,129   353,210 
Other  78,245   41,629 
   2,461,492   2,437,419 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $10,010,567  $8,422,264 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they related to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are an integral 
part of these balance sheets.        

57



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $343,733  $408,684 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  170,535   145,030 
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization  81,950   75,102 
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  (36,702)  - 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  91,082   (381,042)
Investment impairment  58,173   14,296 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (2,110)  3,414 
Commodity derivative transactions, net  3,634   4,913 
Gain on asset sales  (11,319)  (12,105)
Cash collateral, net  (8,827)  (19,798)
Pension trust contribution  -   (64,020)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:        
Receivables  106,574   (30,172)
Materials and supplies  (35,498)  48,123 
Prepayments and other current assets  (10,762)  (5,118)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (61,035)  (108,949)
Accrued taxes  (90,767)  434,568 
Accrued interest  15,420   14,355 
Other  (59,948)  (5,254)
Net cash provided from operating activities  554,133   522,027 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  537,375   - 
Equity contribution from parent  280,000   700,000 
Short-term borrowings, net  747,686   - 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Common stock  -   (600,000)
Long-term debt  (460,902)  (1,110,174)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (785,127)
Common stock dividend payments  (43,000)  (67,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  1,061,159   (1,862,301)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (1,417,205)  (482,907)
Proceeds from asset sales  15,218   12,990 
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction  -   1,328,919 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  596,291   521,535 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (624,899)  (552,779)
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  (64,142)  510,307 
Restricted funds for debt redemption  (81,640)  - 
Other  (38,915)  2,209 
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities  (1,615,292)  1,340,274 
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $2 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they related to FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. are 
an integral part of these balance sheets.        



58



OHIO EDISON COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


OE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. OE and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn, conduct business in portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric distribution services. They provide generation services to those customers electing to retain OE and Penn as their power supplier. OE’s power supply requirements are provided by FES – an affiliated company. Penn purchases power from FES and third-party suppliers through a competitive RFP process.

Results of Operations

In the first threenine months of 2008, net income decreasedincreased to $44$165 million from $54$148 million in the same period of 2007.  The decreaseincrease primarily resulted from higher operatingelectric sales revenues and lower purchased power costs, partially offset by a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets and lower investment income, partially offset by higher electric sales revenues.income.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $27$73 million, or 4.3%3.9%, in the first threenine months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, primarily due to increases in retail generation revenues ($1751 million) and distribution throughput revenues ($1216 million).

Retail generation revenues increased primarily due to higher average prices across all customer classes, partially offset by decreased KWH sales to commercial and industrial customers.in all sectors. The higher average prices included the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see “Regulatory Matters – Ohio” within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries)Regulatory Matters). Weather conditionsMilder weather in the first threenine months of 2008 compared toprimarily caused the same period in 2007 contributed to the higherlower KWH sales to residential customers (heating(cooling degree days increased 2.8% and 0.7%decreased in OE’s and Penn’s service territories respectively)by 23.3% and 21.5%, respectively, from the same period in 2007). Commercial and industrial retail generation KWH sales were lower due toalso impacted by increased customer shopping in Penn’s service territory in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period last year.2008.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period in 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales Increase (Decrease)  Decrease 
     
Residential  1.0(2.3)%
Commercial  (2.5(2.1))%
Industrial  (4.1(4.4))%
Net Decrease in Generation Sales  (1.5(2.9))%

Retail Generation Revenues Increase 
  (In millions) 
Residential $23 
Commercial  11 
Industrial  17 
Increase in Generation Revenues $51 

Retail Generation Revenues Increase 
  (In millions) 
Residential $11 
Commercial  1 
Industrial  5 
Increase in Generation Revenues $17 

Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $12$16 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, and higherpartially offset by lower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers.in all sectors. The higher average prices resulted from aOhio transmission rider increaseincreases that became effective July 1, 2007.2007 and July 1, 2008. The higherlower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers reflected the favorablemilder weather conditions described above.




45


Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period in 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

59



Distribution KWH Deliveries    Increase (Decrease)Decrease 
     
Residential  1.7(1.8)%
Commercial  1.2(0.8)%
Industrial  (0.8(2.2))%
Net IncreaseDecrease in Distribution Deliveries  0.7(1.7)%

Distribution Revenues Increase  Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Residential $6  $3 
Commercial  4   7 
Industrial  2   6 
Increase in Distribution Revenues $12  $16 

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $15$38 million in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category.

Expenses – Changes Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
  (In millions)   (In millions) 
Purchased power costs $(10) $(40)
Nuclear operating costs  1 
Other operating costs  6   (1)
Provision for depreciation  3   1 
Amortization of regulatory assets  3   9 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  11   66 
General taxes  1   3 
Net Increase in Expenses $15  $38 

Lower purchased power costs in the first threenine months of 2008 primarily reflected the lower retail generation KWH sales, in Penn’s service territory described above, partially offset by higher unit prices as provided for under OE’s PSA with FES. The increase in other operating costs forreducing the first three months of 2008 was primarily due to higher transmission expenses related to MISO operations. Higher depreciation expense in the first three months of 2008 reflected capital additions subsequent to the first quarter of 2007.purchase volumes required. Higher amortization of regulatory assets in the first threenine months of 2008 was primarily due to increased amortization of MISO transmission cost deferrals. The decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets for the first threenine months of 2008 was primarily due to lower MISO costs deferred in excess of transmission revenuescost deferrals ($26 million) and lower RCP fuel deferrals ($36 million), as more transmission and distribution cost deferrals.generation costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders. The increase in general taxes for the first nine months of 2008 was primarily due to higher property taxes.

Other Income

Other income decreased $12$20 million in the first threenine months of 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007 primarily due to reductions in interest income on notes receivable from associated companies resulting from principal payments from associated companies since the firstthird quarter of 2007.

Income Taxes

In the first quarter of 2007, OE’s income taxes included an immaterial adjustment applicable to prior periods of $7.2 million related to an inter-company federal tax allocation arrangement between FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries.

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of other legal proceedings applicable to OE.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to OE.


 
4660

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Ohio Edison Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Ohio Edison Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 8, Note 4, Note 2(G) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008


 
4761

 


OHIO EDISON COMPANYOHIO EDISON COMPANY OHIO EDISON COMPANY 
                  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOMECONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
      
 Three Months Ended             
 March 31,  Three Months  Nine Months 
        Ended September 30   Ended September 30 
 2008  2007  2008   2007  2008  2007 
 (In thousands) (In thousands) 
                  
REVENUES:                  
Electric sales $622,271  $594,344  $671,761  $638,336  $1,877,300  $1,802,110 
Excise tax collections  30,378   31,254   30,500   30,472   87,165   89,077 
Total revenues  652,649   625,598   702,261   668,808   1,964,465   1,891,187 
                        
EXPENSES:                        
Fuel  3,170   3,015 
Purchased power  340,186   349,852   349,374   364,709   997,609   1,037,200 
Nuclear operating costs  43,021   41,514 
Other operating costs  94,135   88,486   146,048   144,869   423,993   424,970 
Provision for depreciation  21,493   18,848   14,997   19,482   57,904   57,440 
Amortization of regulatory assets  48,538   45,417   57,660   53,026   154,054   144,569 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (25,411)  (36,649)  (15,078)  (41,417)  (66,390)  (132,410)
General taxes  50,453   49,745   49,255   46,158   144,097   141,296 
Total expenses  575,585   560,228   602,256   586,827   1,711,267   1,673,065 
                        
OPERATING INCOME  77,064   65,370   100,005   81,981   253,198   218,122 
                        
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                        
Investment income  15,055   26,630   19,323   19,827   45,866   67,803 
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (3,806)  373   (1,089)  670   (5,180)  3,362 
Interest expense  (17,641)  (21,022)  (17,309)  (20,311)  (51,851)  (62,749)
Capitalized interest  110   110   55   136   324   398 
Total other income (expense)  (6,282)  6,091   980   322   (10,841)  8,814 
                        
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  70,782   71,461   100,985   82,303   242,357   226,936 
                        
INCOME TAXES  26,873   17,426   28,501   34,089   77,122   79,074 
                        
NET INCOME  43,909   54,035   72,484   48,214   165,235   147,862 
                        
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (3,994)  (3,423)
Pension and other postretirment benefits  (3,994)  (3,423)  (11,982)  (10,270)
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  (7,571)  (126)  (9,936)  2,442   (20,310)  7,415 
Other comprehensive loss  (11,565)  (3,549)  (13,930)  (981)  (32,292)  (2,855)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (4,262)  (1,503)  (5,105)  (573)  (11,931)  (1,688)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (7,303)  (2,046)  (8,825)  (408)  (20,361)  (1,167)
                        
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $36,606  $51,989  $63,659  $47,806  $144,874  $146,695 
                        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part 
of these statements.        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part ofThe accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part of 
these statements.                

 
4862

 


OHIO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
   September 30,   December 31, 
  2008  2007 
   (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $715  $732 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $6,888,000 and 8,032,000,     
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  268,252   248,990 
Associated companies  205,776   185,437 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $13,000 and $5,639,000        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  16,731   12,395 
Notes receivable from associated companies  362,695   595,859 
Prepayments and other  11,285   10,341 
   865,454   1,053,754 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,854,174   2,769,880 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  1,101,572   1,090,862 
   1,752,602   1,679,018 
Construction work in progress  41,880   50,061 
   1,794,482   1,729,079 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  257,457   258,870 
Investment in lease obligation bonds  248,751   253,894 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  115,523   127,252 
Other  31,441   36,037 
   653,172   676,053 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Regulatory assets  621,192   737,326 
Pension assets  250,762   228,518 
Property taxes  65,520   65,520 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  41,381   45,133 
Other  33,820   48,075 
   1,012,675   1,124,572 
  $4,325,783  $4,583,458 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $159,662  $333,224 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  -   50,692 
Other  242,449   2,609 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  95,604   174,088 
Other  20,902   19,881 
Accrued taxes  58,800   89,571 
Accrued interest  14,216   22,378 
Other  123,177   65,163 
   714,810   757,606 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 175,000,000 shares -        
60 shares outstanding  1,224,039   1,220,512 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  28,025   48,386 
Retained earnings  207,512   307,277 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,459,576   1,576,175 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  841,871   840,591 
   2,301,447   2,416,766 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  776,042   781,012 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  14,040   16,964 
Asset retirement obligations  79,372   93,571 
Retirement benefits  173,297   178,343 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  14,954   46,849 
Other  251,821   292,347 
   1,309,526   1,409,086 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $4,325,783  $4,583,458 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral 
part of these balance sheets.        

OHIO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  
 (In thousands)
 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $732  $732 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $7,870,000 and $8,032,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  266,360   248,990 
Associated companies  179,875   185,437 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $5,638,000 and $5,639,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  16,474   12,395 
Notes receivable from associated companies  589,790   595,859 
Prepayments and other  17,785   10,341 
   1,071,016   1,053,754 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,804,505   2,769,880 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  1,106,174   1,090,862 
   1,698,331   1,679,018 
Construction work in progress  60,617   50,061 
   1,758,948   1,729,079 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  258,405   258,870 
Investment in lease obligation bonds  253,747   253,894 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  119,948   127,252 
Other  33,014   36,037 
   665,114   676,053 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Regulatory assets  709,969   737,326 
Pension assets  235,933   228,518 
Property taxes  65,520   65,520 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  43,882   45,133 
Other  44,640   48,075 
   1,099,944   1,124,572 
  $4,595,022  $4,583,458 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $334,656  $333,224 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  50,692   50,692 
Other  2,609   2,609 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  155,654   174,088 
Other  19,376   19,881 
Accrued taxes  93,390   89,571 
Accrued interest  16,459   22,378 
Other  99,532   65,163 
   772,368   757,606 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 175,000,000 shares -        
60 shares outstanding  1,220,368   1,220,512 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  41,083   48,386 
Retained earnings  351,186   307,277 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,612,637   1,576,175 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  839,107   840,591 
   2,451,744   2,416,766 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  783,777   781,012 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  15,990   16,964 
Asset retirement obligations  95,009   93,571 
Retirement benefits  176,597   178,343 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  36,821   46,849 
Other  262,716   292,347 
   1,370,910   1,409,086 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $4,595,022  $4,583,458 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part 
of these balance sheets.        
63



OHIO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $165,235  $147,862 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  57,904   57,440 
Amortization of regulatory assets  154,054   144,569 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (66,390)  (132,410)
Amortization of lease costs  28,535   28,567 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  17,267   (29,155)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (41,190)  (34,572)
Pension trust contribution  -   (20,261)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  (26,009)  (70,098)
Prepayments and other current assets  2,065   (3,542)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (77,463)  89,550 
Accrued taxes  (27,776)  (25,734)
Accrued interest  (8,162)  (7,277)
Electric service prepayment programs  (31,895)  (27,455)
Other  (1,283)  9,868 
Net cash provided from operating activities  144,892   127,352 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  189,148   - 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Common stock  -   (500,000)
Long-term debt  (175,588)  (1,190)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (64,475)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (265,000)  (150,000)
Net cash used for financing activities  (251,440)  (715,665)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (135,450)  (109,461)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  115,988   31,624 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (121,871)  (36,194)
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  234,577   685,364 
Cash investments  5,143   17,316 
Other  8,144   (321)
Net cash provided from investing activities  106,531   588,328 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (17)  15 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  732   712 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $715  $727 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an 
integral part of these statements.        

 
4964

 

OHIO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
       
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $43,909  $54,035 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  21,493   18,848 
Amortization of regulatory assets  48,538   45,417 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (25,411)  (36,649)
Amortization of lease costs  32,934   32,934 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  6,866   (3,992)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (19,482)  (16,794)
Pension trust contribution  -   (20,261)
Increase in operating assets-        
Receivables  (27,496)  (102,469)
Prepayments and other current assets  (7,451)  (6,339)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (18,939)  42,095 
Accrued taxes  2,991   (46,791)
Accrued interest  (5,919)  (6,812)
Electric service prepayment programs  (10,028)  (9,053)
Other  (2,066)  (3,283)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  39,939   (59,114)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  -   77,473 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Common stock  -   (500,000)
Long-term debt  (80)  (72)
Net cash used for financing activities  (80)  (422,599)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (49,011)  (29,888)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  62,344   12,951 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (63,797)  (13,805)
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  6,534   511,082 
Cash investments  147   168 
Other  3,924   1,187 
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities  (39,859)  481,695 
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   (18)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  732   712 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $732  $694 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Ohio Edison Company are an integral part 
of these statements.        




50




THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


CEI is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. CEI conducts business in northeastern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. CEI also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain CEI as their power supplier. CEI’s power supply requirements are primarily provided by FES – an affiliated company.

Results of Operations

Net income in the first threenine months of 2008 decreasedincreased to $58$218 million from $64$211 million in the same period of 2007. The decreaseincrease resulted primarily from higher purchased power costs, increased amortization of regulatory assets and lower investment income, partially offset by the elimination of fuel costs and lower other operating costs (due to assigningthe assignment of leasehold interests in generating assets to FGCO), partially offset by lower revenues and decreases in other operating expenses.regulatory asset deferrals and higher purchased power costs and regulatory asset amortization.

Revenues

Revenues decreased by $4$24 million, or 1%1.7%, in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due to a decrease in wholesale generation revenues ($3289 million), partially offset by an increaseincreases in retail generation revenues ($1850 million) and, distribution revenues ($108 million), and transmission revenues ($11 million).

Wholesale generation revenues decreased due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO onin October 16, 2007. Prior to the assignment, CEI sold power from its interests in the plant to FGCO.

Retail generation revenues increased in the first threenine months of 2008 due to higher average unit prices across all customer classes, and increasedpartially offset by a slight decrease in sales volume to residential and commercial customersin all sectors compared to the same period of 2007. The higher average unit prices includedwere driven by the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see “Regulatory Matters – Ohio” within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries)Regulatory Matters). More weather-related usageMilder weather in the first threenine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily contributed tocaused the increaseddecrease in sales volume in the residential(heating and commercial sectors  (heatingcooling degree days increased 1.7% from the same period in 2007)decreased 1% and 7%, respectively).

IncreasesChanges in retail generation sales and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales IncreaseDecrease 
     
Residential  3.0(1.2)%
Commercial  1.8(1.1)%
Industrial  1.0(1.1)%
IncreaseDecrease in Retail Generation Sales  1.8(1.1)%


Retail Generation Revenues Increase  Increase 
 
(in millions)
  (In millions) 
Residential $7  $17 
Commercial  4   12 
Industrial  7   21 
Increase in Generation Revenues $18  $50 

Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $10$8 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 primarily due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, and higherpartially offset by a slight decrease in KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers.in all sectors. The higher average unit prices resulted from a transmission rider increaseincreases that became effective July 1, 2007.2007 and July 1, 2008. The higherlower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers in the first threenine months of 2008 reflected the weather impacts described above.

51



Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the correspondingsame period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

Distribution KWH Deliveries  IncreaseDecrease 
     
Residential  3.0(1.5)%
Commercial  1.3(1.4)%
Industrial  (1.0)%
IncreaseDecrease in Distribution Deliveries  1.7(1.2)%

65


Distribution Revenues Increase  Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Residential $4  $- 
Commercial  3   2 
Industrial  3   6 
Net Increase in Distribution Revenues $10 
Increase in Distribution Revenues $8 

Transmission revenues were higher in the first nine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, due to increased auction revenue rights for transmission service in MISO. CEI defers the difference between revenue from its transmission rider and net transmission costs incurred in MISO, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Expenses

Total expenses increaseddecreased by $1$19 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. The following table presents the change from the prior year by expense category:

Expenses - Changes 
Increase
(Decrease)
  
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 (in millions)  (In millions) 
Fuel costs $(13) $(40)
Purchased power costs  13   15 
Other operating costs  (10)  (49)
Provision for depreciation  (1)
Amortization of regulatory assets  5   15 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  5   43 
General taxes  1   (2)
Net Increase in Expenses $1 
Net Decrease in Expenses $(19)

The absence of fuel costs in the first threenine months of 2008 was due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO onin October 16, 2007. Prior to the assignment, CEI incurred fuel expenses and other operating costs related to its leasehold interest in the plant. Higher purchased power costs primarily reflected higher unit prices, as provided for under the PSA with FES.FES, partially offset by a decrease in volume due to lower KWH sales. Other operating costs were lower primarily due to the assignment of CEI’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield plant.plant as described above, partially offset by higher labor costs resulting from storm restoration work performed during the first nine months of 2008. Higher amortization of regulatory assets werewas primarily due to increased transition cost amortization due to the higher KWH sales discussed above and increases related to($11 million) under the effective interest methodology.methodology and increased amortization of MISO transmission cost deferrals ($4 million). The changedecrease in deferralsthe deferral of new regulatory assets was primarily due to lower deferred MISO expenses (more expenses currently recovered through increased transmission tariffs)cost deferrals ($19 million) and RCP fuel costs (implementation of fuel cost recovery rider). The change in general($25 million), as more transmission and generation costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders. General taxes isdecreased primarily due to higher real and personal propertya $3 million decrease in general tax reserves, partially offset by $1 million increase in commercial activity taxes.

Other Expense

Other expense increased by $5$13 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 primarily due to lower investment income and miscellaneous income, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense. Lower investment income is primarily the result of principal repayments since the first quarter ofduring 2007 on notes receivable from associated companies. The lower interest expense is primarily due to $489 million in long-term debt redemptions ($489 million) since the first quarter ofduring 2007, partially offset by a new debt issuance of $250 million in the first quarter of 2007 ($250 million).March 2007. Miscellaneous income decreased primarily due to reduced life insurance investment values.

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to CEI.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to CEI.


5266

.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 8, Note 4, Note 2(G) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008



 
5367

 



THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
             
  Three Months  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30  Ended Septmeber 30 
             
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
             
REVENUES:            
Electric sales $505,425  $510,577  $1,342,327  $1,366,396 
Excise tax collections  18,652   18,514   53,447   53,009 
Total revenues  524,077   529,091   1,395,774   1,419,405 
                 
EXPENSES:                
Fuel  -   12,160   -   39,683 
Purchased power  211,445   216,194   590,300   575,520 
Other operating costs  66,342   85,114   194,119   243,140 
Provision for depreciation  17,677   18,913   54,497   56,094 
Amortization of regulatory assets  48,155   42,077   124,936   110,253 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (16,176)  (37,692)  (71,443)  (114,708)
General taxes  36,722   37,930   109,230   110,922 
Total expenses  364,165   374,696   1,001,639   1,020,904 
                 
OPERATING INCOME  159,912   154,395   394,135   398,501 
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Investment income  8,390   13,805   25,972   47,816 
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (1,114)  (760)  (1,319)  3,197 
Interest expense  (31,024)  (34,423)  (94,479)  (107,430)
Capitalized interest  200   309   584   655 
Total other expense  (23,548)  (21,069)  (69,242)  (55,762)
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  136,364   133,326   324,893   342,739 
                 
INCOME TAXES  42,977   54,610   107,082   131,525 
                 
NET INCOME  93,387   78,716   217,811   211,214 
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (213)  1,202   (639)  3,607 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income  (130)  356   (239)  1,068 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (83)  846   (400)  2,539 
                 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $93,304  $79,562  $217,411  $213,753 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company are an integral 
part of these statements.                
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
       
  2008  2007 
   (In thousands) 
       
REVENUES:      
Electric sales $418,708  $422,805 
Excise tax collections  18,600   18,027 
Total revenues  437,308   440,832 
         
EXPENSES:        
Fuel  -   13,191 
Purchased power  193,244   180,657 
Other operating costs  65,118   74,951 
Provision for depreciation  19,076   18,468 
Amortization of regulatory assets  38,256   33,129 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (29,248)  (33,957)
General taxes  40,083   38,894 
Total expenses  326,529   325,333 
         
OPERATING INCOME  110,779   115,499 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Investment income  9,188   17,687 
Miscellaneous income  534   731 
Interest expense  (32,520)  (35,740)
Capitalized interest  196   205 
Total other expense  (22,602)  (17,117)
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  88,177   98,382 
         
INCOME TAXES  30,326   34,833 
         
NET INCOME  57,851   63,549 
         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (213)  1,202 
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income  281   355 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (494)  847 
         
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $57,357  $64,396 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating 
Company are an integral part of these statements.        

 
 
5468


THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $237  $232 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $6,907,000 and $7,540,000     
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  292,735   251,000 
Associated companies  122,210   166,587 
Other  4,151   12,184 
Notes receivable from associated companies  21,682   52,306 
Prepayments and other  2,373   2,327 
   443,388   484,636 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,180,347   2,256,956 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  836,058   872,801 
   1,344,289   1,384,155 
Construction work in progress  44,392   41,163 
   1,388,681   1,425,318 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Investment in lessor notes  425,717   463,431 
Other  10,260   10,285 
   435,977   473,716 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  1,688,521   1,688,521 
Regulatory assets  796,475   870,695 
Pension assets  68,548   62,471 
Property taxes  76,000   76,000 
Other  9,036   32,987 
   2,638,580   2,730,674 
  $4,906,626  $5,114,344 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $207,312  $207,266 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  367,422   531,943 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  124,335   169,187 
Other  5,704   5,295 
Accrued taxes  70,515   94,991 
Accrued interest  37,885   13,895 
Other  41,366   34,350 
   854,539   1,056,927 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 105,000,000 shares -        
67,930,743 shares outstanding  878,199   873,536 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (69,529)  (69,129)
Retained earnings  793,238   685,428 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,601,908   1,489,835 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  1,447,718   1,459,939 
   3,049,626   2,949,774 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  727,615   725,523 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  13,442   18,567 
Retirement benefits  95,931   93,456 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  9,594   27,145 
Lease assignment payable to associated companies  40,827   131,773 
Other  115,052   111,179 
   1,002,461   1,107,643 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $4,906,626  $5,114,344 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating 
Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.        

69

 

 
THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $241  $232 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $7,224,000 and $7,540,000,  266,701   251,000 
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)        
Associated companies  70,727   166,587 
Other  3,643   12,184 
Notes receivable from associated companies  54,679   52,306 
Prepayments and other  1,728   2,327 
   397,719   484,636 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,142,458   2,256,956 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  827,160   872,801 
   1,315,298   1,384,155 
Construction work in progress  40,834   41,163 
   1,356,132   1,425,318 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Investment in lessor notes  425,722   463,431 
Other  10,275   10,285 
   435,997   473,716 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  1,688,521   1,688,521 
Regulatory assets  853,716   870,695 
Pension assets  64,497   62,471 
Property taxes  76,000   76,000 
Other  32,735   32,987 
   2,715,469   2,730,674 
  $4,905,317  $5,114,344 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $207,281  $207,266 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  365,816   531,943 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  139,423   169,187 
Other  6,169   5,295 
Accrued taxes  118,102   94,991 
Accrued interest  37,726   13,895 
Other  35,044   34,350 
   909,561   1,056,927 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 105,000,000 shares -        
67,930,743 shares outstanding  873,353   873,536 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (69,623)  (69,129)
Retained earnings  743,278   685,428 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,547,008   1,489,835 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  1,447,980   1,459,939 
   2,994,988   2,949,774 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  719,938   725,523 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  18,102   18,567 
Retirement benefits  94,322   93,456 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  21,297   27,145 
Lease assignment payable to associated companies  38,420   131,773 
Other  108,689   111,179 
   1,000,768   1,107,643 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $4,905,317  $5,114,344 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating 
Company are an integral part of these balance sheets.        

55



THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
       
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $57,851  $63,549 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  19,076   18,468 
Amortization of regulatory assets  38,256   33,129 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (29,248)  (33,957)
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  -   (46,528)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  (4,965)  (5,453)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (3,507)  (890)
Pension trust contribution  -   (24,800)
Decrease in operating assets-        
Receivables  90,280   224,011 
Prepayments and other current assets  604   592 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (28,889)  (256,808)
Accrued taxes  23,196   13,959 
Accrued interest  23,831   18,122 
Electric service prepayment programs  (5,847)  (5,313)
Other  (63)  (167)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  180,575   (2,086)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  -   247,715 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (165)  (150)
Short-term borrowings, net  (177,960)  (130,585)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  -   (24,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  (178,125)  92,980 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (37,203)  (36,682)
Loans to associated companies, net  (2,373)  (231,907)
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable  -   133,341 
Redemptions of lessor notes  37,709   35,614 
Other  (574)  9,294 
Net cash used for investing activities  (2,441)  (90,340)
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  9   554 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  232   221 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $241  $775 
         
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating 
Company are an integral part of these statements.        

THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $217,811  $211,214 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  54,497   56,094 
Amortization of regulatory assets  124,936   110,253 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (71,443)  (114,708)
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  -   (46,327)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  4,623   (40,964)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (3,291)  2,575 
Pension trust contribution  -   (24,800)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  43,927   140,359 
Prepayments and other current assets  (37)  661 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (44,443)  (143,210)
Accrued taxes  (19,613)  17,301 
Accrued interest  23,990   22,360 
Electric service prepayment programs  (17,551)  (16,819)
Other  4,193   2,996 
Net cash provided from operating activities  317,599   176,985 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  -   247,424 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (508)  (223,555)
Short-term borrowings, net  (176,354)  (59,328)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (110,000)  (304,000)
Net cash used for financing activities  (286,862)  (339,459)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (97,326)  (100,583)
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  30,624   (13,863)
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable  -   220,974 
Redemption of lessor notes  37,714   56,177 
Other  (1,744)  (218)
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities  (30,732)  162,487 
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  5   13 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  232   221 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $237  $234 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Cleveland Electric Illuminating 
Company are an integral part of these statements.        

 

 
5670

 


THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


TE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. TE conducts business in northwestern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. TE also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain TE as their power supplier. TE’s power supply requirements are provided by FES – an affiliated company.

Results of Operations

Net income in the first threenine months of 2008 decreased to $17$70 million from $26$73 million in the same period of 2007. The decrease resulted primarily from lower electric sales revenues, higher purchased power costs and a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets, partially offset by lower fuel, nuclear and other operating costs.

Revenues

Revenues decreased $29$66 million, or 12%8.8%, in the first threenine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due to lower wholesale generation revenues ($45114 million), partially offset by increased retail generation revenues ($1137 million), distribution revenues ($5 million) and distributiontransmission revenues ($46 million).

The decrease in wholesale revenues resultedwas primarily due to lower associated company sales of KWH from TE’s leasehold interests in generating plants. Revenues from TE’s leasehold interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2 decreased by $50 million due to the unit’s 39-day refueling outage in the second quarter of 2008 and the incremental pricing impacts related to the termination of TE’s sale agreement with CEI. At the end of 2007, TE terminated its Beaver Valley Unit 2 output sale agreement with CEI atand is currently selling the end of 2007 ($26 million) and lower158 MW entitlement from its 18.26% leasehold interest in the unit to NGC. Revenues from PSA sales to FESdecreased by $67 million in the first threenine months of 2008 ($20 million) due to the assignment of TE’s leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO effectivein October 16, 2007. In 2008,Prior to the assignment, TE is selling the 158 MW entitlementsold power from its 18.26% leasehold interestinterests in Beaver Valley Unit 2the plant to NGC.FGCO.

Retail generation revenues increased in the first threenine months of 2008 due to higher average prices across all customer classes and increased KWH sales to residential and commercial customers compared to the same period of 2007. Industrial KWH sales decreased due in part to a maintenance outage for a large industrial customer during the first quarter of 2008. The higher average prices includedwere driven by the 2008 fuel cost recovery rider that became effective January 16, 2008 (see “Regulatory Matters – Ohio” within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries)Regulatory Matters). The increase in sales volume reflects increased weather-related usageSales to residential customers decreased due to milder weather in the first threenine months of 2008 (heating(cooling degree days increased 3.3%decreased 15% from the same period of 2007). The increase in sales to commercial customers was due to less customer shopping; generation services provided by alternative suppliers as a percentage of total sales delivered in TE’s franchise area decreased by three percentage points. Industrial KWH sales decreased due in part to lower sales to the automotive sector and a maintenance outage undertaken by a large industrial customer during the first nine months of 2008.

Changes in retail electric generation KWH sales and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

  Increase 
Retail Generation KWH Sales (Decrease) 
     
Residential  4.4(1.3)%
Commercial  5.64.9%
Industrial  (4.34.8)%
    Net Decrease in Retail Generation Sales  (0.12.0)%

Retail Generation Revenues Increase  Increase 
 
(In millions)
  
(In millions)
 
Residential $4  $7 
Commercial  3   11 
Industrial  4   19 
Increase in Retail Generation Revenues $11  $37 


71


Revenues from distribution throughput increased by $4$5 million in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 due to higher average unit prices for all customer classes, and higherpartially offset by lower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers.all sectors. The higher average prices resulted from aPUCO-approved transmission rider increaseincreases that became effective July 1, 2007.2007 and July 1, 2008. The higherlower KWH deliveries to residential and commercial customers in the first threenine months of 2008 reflected the weather impacts described above.

57

As with the reduction in generation sales, industrial KWH deliveries decreased in part due to lower sales to the automotive sector and a maintenance outage undertaken by a large industrial customer in 2008.


Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables.

Increase
Distribution KWH Deliveries (Decrease)Decrease 
     
Residential  3.6(1.8)%
Commercial  2.3(0.5)%
Industrial  (4.04.7)%
    Net    Decrease in Distribution Deliveries  (0.42.8)%

Distribution Revenues Increase (Decrease)   Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Residential $3  $2 
Commercial  2   2 
Industrial  (1)  1 
Net Increase in Distribution Revenues $4 
Increase in Distribution Revenues $5 

Expenses

Total expenses decreased $15$40 million in the first threenine months of 2008 from the same period of 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category.

Expenses – Changes Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Fuel costs
 $
(9
)
Purchased power costs  
5
  $
11
 
Nuclear operating costs
  
(7
)
Other operating costs
  
(10
)
  
(76
)
Provision for depreciation
  
(3
)
Amortization of regulatory assets
  
1
   
3
 
Deferral of new regulatory assets
  
4
   
23
 
General taxes
  
1
   
2
 
Net Decrease in Expenses
 
$
(15
) 
$
(40
)

LowerHigher purchased power costs primarily reflected higher unit prices as provided for under the PSA with FES. Other operating costs decreased primarily due to the reversal of the above-market lease liability ($23 million) associated with TE’s leasehold interest in Beaver Valley Unit 2, as a result of the termination of the CEI sale agreement described above, and lower fuel costs in the first three months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 were($25 million) and other operating costs ($28 million) due to the assignment of TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield Plant to FGCO in October 2007. Higher purchased powerThese decreases were partially offset by increased costs reflected higher unit prices as provided for under($7 million) associated with TE’s leasehold interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2, due to a refueling outage in the PSA with FES and a 1.8% increase in KWH purchases. Nuclear operating expensessecond quarter of 2008. Depreciation expense decreased primarily due to the reversal ($8 million)transfer of leasehold improvements for the above-market lease liability associated with TE’s leasehold interest inMansfield Plant and Beaver Valley Unit 2 related to FGCO and NGC, respectively, during the terminationfirst nine months of 2008.

The increase in the CEI sale agreement discussed above. Other operating costs were loweramortization of regulatory assets was primarily due to the assignmentincreased amortization of TE’s leasehold interests in the Mansfield PlantMISO transmission cost deferrals ($95 million)., partially offset by lower amortization of transition cost deferrals ($2 million) resulting from reduced distribution deliveries. The change in the deferral of new regulatory assets was primarily due to lower deferred RCP distribution costs ($3 million) and fuel costs ($111 million) and MISO transmission expenses ($7 million), as more generation and transmission costs were recovered from customers through PUCO-approved riders, and lower RCP distribution cost deferrals ($4 million). Higher general taxes primarily reflected increased KWH taxes, property taxes and Ohio commercial activity taxes.

Other Expense

Other expense decreased $2$6 million in the first threenine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due to lower interest expense, partially offset by lower investment income. The lower interest expense resulted from lower money pool borrowings from associated companies in the first nine months of 2008, and the redemption of long-term debt ($8555 million principal amount) since the firstthird quarter of 2007. The decrease in investment income resulted primarily from the principal repayments since the firstthird quarter of 2007 on notes receivable from associated companies.companies and lower interest income from customer accounts receivable financing activity.

72



Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to TE.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to TE.
.

 
.
5873


 

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of The Toledo Edison Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The Toledo Edison Company and its subsidiary as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006, as discussed in Note 8 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008



 
5974

 



THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANYTHE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY 
                  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOMECONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
      
 Three Months Ended             
 March 31,  Three Months  Nine Months 
       Ended September 30   Ended September 30  
 2008  2007  2008  2007  2008  2007 
 (In thousands) (In thousands) 
                  
REVENUES:                  
Electric sales $203,669  $233,056  $242,866  $261,736  $660,888  $728,429 
Excise tax collections  8,025   7,400   8,239   7,926   23,417   22,026 
Total revenues  211,694   240,456   251,105   269,662   684,305   750,455 
                        
EXPENSES:                        
Fuel  1,482   10,147 
Purchased power  101,298   96,169   111,809   112,502   315,957   304,947 
Nuclear operating costs  10,457   17,721 
Other operating costs  33,390   42,921   47,010   73,701   143,144   218,961 
Provision for depreciation  9,025   9,117   7,682   9,231   24,648   27,475 
Amortization of regulatory assets  25,025   23,876   31,452   30,460   81,837   79,284 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (9,494)  (13,481)  (5,574)  (15,645)  (23,997)  (47,373)
General taxes  14,377   13,734   13,609   11,912   40,591   38,646 
Total expenses  185,560   200,204   205,988   222,161   582,180   621,940 
                        
OPERATING INCOME  26,134   40,252   45,117   47,501   102,125   128,515 
                        
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                        
Investment income  6,481   7,225   5,580   6,721   17,285   21,255 
Miscellaneous expense  (1,514)  (3,100)  (1,529)  (2,153)  (4,992)  (7,309)
Interest expense  (6,035)  (7,503)  (5,832)  (8,786)  (17,445)  (25,205)
Capitalized interest  37   83   19   220   144   467 
Total other expense  (1,031)  (3,295)  (1,762)  (3,998)  (5,008)  (10,792)
                        
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  25,103   36,957   43,355   43,503   97,117   117,723 
                        
INCOME TAXES  8,088   11,097   12,174   18,435   27,614   44,924 
                        
NET INCOME  17,015   25,860   31,181   25,068   69,503   72,799 
                        
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (63)  573   (64)  574   (191)  1,720 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  1,961   379 
Other comprehensive income  1,898   952 
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income  728   334 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax  1,170   618 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale-securities  (247)  1,946   (767)  1,656 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (311)  2,520   (958)  3,376 
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other                
comprehensive income  (108)  902   (294)  1,193 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (203)  1,618   (664)  2,183 
                        
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $18,185  $26,478  $30,978  $26,686  $68,839  $74,982 
                        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integralThe accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an integral 
part of these statements.                

 
60



THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
 March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
   (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $213  $22 
Receivables-        
Customers  966   449 
Associated companies  42,232   88,796 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $471,000 and $615,000,     
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  4,241   3,116 
Notes receivable from associated companies  107,664   154,380 
Prepayments and other  684   865 
   156,000   247,628 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  854,457   931,263 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  397,670   420,445 
   456,787   510,818 
Construction work in progress  28,735   19,740 
   485,522   530,558 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Investment in lessor notes  142,657   154,646 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  37,457   37,530 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  69,491   66,759 
Other  1,734   1,756 
   251,339   260,691 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  500,576   500,576 
Regulatory assets  187,579   203,719 
Pension assets  29,420   28,601 
Property taxes  21,010   21,010 
Other  28,959   20,496 
   767,544   774,402 
  $1,660,405  $1,813,279 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $34  $34 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  56,448   245,215 
Other  3,973   4,449 
Notes payable to associated companies  66,217   13,396 
Accrued taxes  37,085   30,245 
Lease market valuation liability  36,900   36,900 
Other  51,563   22,747 
   252,220   352,986 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 60,000,000 shares -     
29,402,054 shares outstanding  147,010   147,010 
Other paid-in capital  173,141   173,169 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (9,436)  (10,606)
Retained earnings  192,633   175,618 
Total common stockholder's equity  503,348   485,191 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  303,392   303,397 
   806,740   788,588 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  99,732   103,463 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  9,967   10,180 
Lease market valuation liability  300,775   310,000 
Retirement benefits  64,422   63,215 
Asset retirement obligations  28,744   28,366 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  9,969   12,639 
Lease assignment payable to associated companies  28,835   83,485 
Other  59,001   60,357 
   601,445   671,705 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $1,660,405  $1,813,279 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company 
are an integral part of these balance sheets.        

6175

 


THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $17,015  $25,860 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  9,025   9,117 
Amortization of regulatory assets  25,025   23,876 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (9,494)  (13,481)
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  6,099   (10,891)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  (3,404)  (3,639)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (1,813)  (756)
Pension trust contribution  -   (7,659)
Decrease in operating assets-        
Receivables  45,738   158 
Prepayments and other current assets  181   312 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (189,243)  (17,533)
Accrued taxes  6,840   9,379 
Accrued interest  4,663   3,951 
Electric service prepayment programs  (2,670)  (2,616)
Other  991   (541)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  (91,047)  15,537 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  52,821   - 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (9)  - 
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (46,518)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  52,812   (46,518)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (19,435)  (6,064)
Loans repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  46,789   (8,583)
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable  -   32,202 
Redemption of lessor notes  11,989   14,804 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  3,908   16,863 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (4,715)  (17,642)
Other  (110)  (420)
Net cash provided from investing activities  38,426   31,160 
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  191   179 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  22   22 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $213  $201 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are an 
integral part of these statements.        
THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
   September 30,   December 31, 
  2008  2007 
 (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $24  $22 
Receivables-        
Customers  931   449 
Associated companies  58,215   88,796 
Other (less accumulated provisions of $165,000 and $615,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  15,810   3,116 
Notes receivable from associated companies  111,519   154,380 
Prepayments and other  1,421   865 
   187,920   247,628 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  860,417   931,263 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  402,952   420,445 
   457,465   510,818 
Construction work in progress  7,626   19,740 
   465,091   530,558 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Investment in lessor notes  142,657   154,646 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  37,308   37,530 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  68,438   66,759 
Other  1,691   1,756 
   250,094   260,691 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  500,576   500,576 
Regulatory assets  145,404   203,719 
Pension assets  31,059   28,601 
Property taxes  21,010   21,010 
Other  52,325   20,496 
   750,374   774,402 
  $1,653,479  $1,813,279 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $34  $34 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  88,769   245,215 
Other  3,368   4,449 
Notes payable to associated companies  95,203   13,396 
Accrued taxes  20,508   30,245 
Lease market valuation liability  36,900   36,900 
Other  26,415   22,747 
   271,197   352,986 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 60,000,000 shares -        
29,402,054 shares outstanding  147,010   147,010 
Other paid-in capital  175,643   173,169 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (11,270)  (10,606)
Retained earnings  185,121   175,618 
Total common stockholder's equity  496,504   485,191 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  303,382   303,397 
   799,886   788,588 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  100,872   103,463 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  6,882   10,180 
Lease market valuation liability  282,325   310,000 
Retirement benefits  66,201   63,215 
Asset retirement obligations  29,715   28,366 
Deferred revenues - electric service programs  4,073   12,639 
Lease assignment payable to associated companies  30,529   83,485 
Other  61,799   60,357 
   582,396   671,705 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $1,653,479  $1,813,279 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company 
 are an integral part of these balance sheets.        

 

76



THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $69,503  $72,799 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  24,648   27,475 
Amortization of regulatory assets  81,837   79,284 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (23,997)  (47,373)
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability  (32,918)  (23,551)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  (4,163)  (32,530)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (196)  3,493 
Pension trust contribution  -   (7,659)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  29,088   (13,368)
Prepayments and other current assets  (556)  224 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (157,527)  9,515 
Accrued taxes  (9,737)  13,588 
Accrued interest  4,663   3,444 
Electric service prepayment programs  (8,566)  (7,650)
Other  (577)  4,113 
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  (28,498)  81,804 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  81,807   37,191 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (26)  (30,014)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (60,000)  (120,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  21,781   (112,823)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (44,695)  (41,573)
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  42,948   21,438 
Collection of principal on long-term notes receivable  135   36,077 
Redemption of lessor notes  11,989   14,819 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  28,774   39,260 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (31,297)  (41,717)
Other  (1,135)  2,713 
Net cash provided from investing activities  6,719   31,017 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  2   (2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  22   22 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $24  $20 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to The Toledo Edison Company are 
an integral part of these statements.        

 
6277

 


JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


JCP&L is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. JCP&L conducts business in New Jersey, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. JCP&L also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain JCP&L as their power supplier.

Results of Operations

Net income for the first threenine months of 2008 decreased to $34$153 million from $38$164 million in the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to higher purchased power costs and other operating costs,expenses, partially offset by higher non-generation revenues.revenues and lower amortization of regulatory assets.

Revenues

In the first threenine months of 2008, revenues increased $111$235 million, or 16.5%9%, as compared with the same period of 2007. Retail and wholesale generation revenues increased by $73$147 million and $38$97 million, respectively, while distribution revenues decreased by $3 million in the first threenine months of 2008.

Retail generation revenues from all customer classes increased in the first three months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 due to higher unit prices resulting from the BGS auctionauctions effective June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, partially offset by a slight decrease indecreased retail generation KWH sales. SalesThe decreased sales volume decreasedwas primarily due tocaused by milder weather inand customer shopping. In the first threenine months of 2008, (heatingheating degree days decreased 8.1% as compared to the first nine months of 2007, while cooling degree days were 6.7% lower than the first three months of 2007) and an increase in customerunchanged. Customer shopping in the commercial and industrial customer sectors increased by 3.63.7 percentage points and 3.01.3 percentage points, respectively.

Wholesale generation revenues increased $38 millionrespectively, in the first threenine months of 2008 due to higher market prices, partially offset by a slight decrease in sales volumes as compared to the first three months of 2007.2008.

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues by customer class in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales 
Increase
(Decrease)Decrease
 
     
Residential  0.1(1.2)%
Commercial  (3.4(6.0))%
Industrial  (12.4(6.7))%
Net Decrease in Generation Sales  (1.9(3.4))%

Retail Generation Revenues Increase  Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Residential $43  $99 
Commercial  28   42 
Industrial  2   6 
Increase in Generation Revenues $73  $147 

Wholesale generation revenues increased $97 million in the first nine months of 2008 due to higher market prices, partially offset by a slight decrease in sales volumes as compared to the first nine months of 2007.

Distribution revenues increaseddecreased $3 million in the first threenine months of 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007 due to lower KWH deliveries, reflecting the weather impacts described above, partially offset by a slight increasesincrease in composite unit prices and KWH deliveries.prices.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues by customer class in the first threenine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 are summarized in the following table:tables:

  Increase 
Distribution KWH Deliveries (Decrease)Decrease 
     
Residential  (1.2)0.1%
Commercial  (1.4)1.2%
Industrial  (1.5)(1.3)%
Net IncreaseDecrease in Distribution Deliveries  (1.3)0.4%

 
6378

 


Distribution Revenues 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
  (In millions) 
Residential $1 
Commercial  (4)
    Industrial  - 
Net Decrease in Distribution Revenues $(3)

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $113$236 million in the first threenine months of 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year period by expense category:

Expenses - Changes  
Increase
(Decrease)
  
Increase
(Decrease)
 
  (In millions)  (In millions) 
Purchased power costs  $110  $246 
Other operating costs   4   (1)
Provision for depreciation   3   6 
Amortization of regulatory assets   (4)  (16)
General taxes  1 
Net increase in expenses  $113  $236 

Purchased power costs increased in the first threenine months of 2008 primarily due to higher unit prices resulting from the BGS auctionauctions effective June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, partially offset by a decrease in purchases due to the lower generation KWH sales discussed above. Other operating costs increased in the first three months of 2008 primarily due to higher expenses related to JCP&L’s customer assistance programs. Depreciation expense increased primarily due to an increase in depreciable property since the firstthird quarter of 2007. Amortization of regulatory assets decreased in the first threenine months of 2008 primarily due to the completion in December 2007 of certain regulatory asset amortizations associated with TMI-2.TMI-2 and lower transition cost amortization due to the lower KWH deliveries discussed above.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased by $6$13 million in the first threenine months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to interest expense associated with JCP&L’s $550 million issuance of senior notes in May 2007 ($3 million) and reduced income on life insurance investments ($2 million).investment values.

Sale of Investment

On April 17, 2008, JCP&L closed on the sale of its 86-MW Forked River Power Plant to Maxim Power Corp. for $20 million. In conjunction with this sale, FES entered into a 10-year tolling agreement with Maxim for the entire capacity of the plant. The sale is subject to regulatory accounting and willdid not have a material impact on the JCP&L’s earnings in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2008. The New Jersey Rate Counsel has appealed the NJBPU’s approval of the sale to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, where it is currently pending.


Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of other legal proceedings applicable to JCP&L.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to JCP&L.




 
6479

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Jersey Central Power & Light Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Jersey Central Power & Light Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007 and defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006, as discussed in Note 8 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008




 
6580

 


JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
REVENUES:      
Electric sales $781,433  $670,907 
Excise tax collections  12,795   12,836 
Total revenues  794,228   683,743 
         
EXPENSES:        
Purchased power  496,681   386,497 
Other operating costs  78,784   74,651 
Provision for depreciation  23,282   20,516 
Amortization of regulatory assets  91,519   95,228 
General taxes  17,028   16,999 
Total expenses  707,294   593,891 
         
OPERATING INCOME  86,934   89,852 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (389)  3,061 
Interest expense  (24,464)  (22,416)
Capitalized interest  276   513 
Total other expense  (24,577)  (18,842)
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  62,357   71,010 
         
INCOME TAXES  28,403   32,664 
         
NET INCOME  33,954   38,346 
         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (3,449)  (2,115)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  69   97 
Other comprehensive loss  (3,380)  (2,018)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (1,470)  (984)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (1,910)  (1,034)
         
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $32,044  $37,312 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        

 
66



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $40  $94 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,400,000 and $3,691,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  299,104   321,026 
Associated companies  1,757   21,297 
Other  53,553   59,244 
Notes receivable - associated companies  18,410   18,428 
Prepaid taxes  1,302   1,012 
Other  20,609   17,603 
   394,775   438,704 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  4,208,016   4,175,125 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  1,524,495   1,516,997 
   2,683,521   2,658,128 
Construction work in progress  98,143   90,508 
   2,781,664   2,748,636 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear fuel disposal trust  176,107   176,512 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  168,056   175,869 
Other  2,054   2,083 
   346,217   354,464 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Regulatory assets  1,475,802   1,595,662 
Goodwill  1,825,716   1,826,190 
Pension assets  106,211   100,615 
Other  15,107   16,307 
   3,422,836   3,538,774 
  $6,945,492  $7,080,578 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $27,735  $27,206 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  82,380   130,381 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  18,699   7,541 
Other  168,178   193,848 
Accrued taxes  32,968   3,124 
Accrued interest  26,656   9,318 
Other  107,879   103,286 
   464,495   474,704 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $10 par value, authorized 16,000,000 shares-        
14,421,637 shares outstanding  144,216   144,216 
Other paid-in capital  2,655,248   2,655,941 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (21,791)  (19,881)
Retained earnings  201,542   237,588 
Total common stockholder's equity  2,979,215   3,017,864 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  1,554,064   1,560,310 
   4,533,279   4,578,174 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Power purchase contract loss liability  682,481   749,671 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  798,967   800,214 
Nuclear fuel disposal costs  194,034   192,402 
Asset retirement obligations  91,025   89,669 
Other  181,211   195,744 
   1,947,718   2,027,700 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $6,945,492  $7,080,578 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company 
are an integral part of these balance sheets.        

67



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $33,954  $38,346 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-        
Provision for depreciation  23,282   20,516 
Amortization of regulatory assets  91,519   95,228 
Deferred purchased power and other costs  (40,293)  (78,303)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  723   8,076 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (15,113)  (8,374)
Cash collateral from (returned to) suppliers  (502)  1 
Pension trust contribution  -   (17,800)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:        
Receivables  48,733   (23,381)
Materials and supplies  255   (1)
Prepaid taxes  (290)  11,946 
Other current assets  (1,305)  454 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (14,511)  (62,038)
Accrued taxes  29,844   31,599 
Accrued interest  17,338   9,794 
Other  13,302   (555)
Net cash provided from operating activities  186,936   25,508 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  -   37,071 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (5,872)  (9,569)
Short-term borrowings, net  (48,069)  - 
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (70,000)  (15,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  (123,941)  12,502 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (56,047)  (40,015)
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  18   532 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  56,506   26,436 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (61,290)  (30,437)
Other  (2,236)  5,479 
Net cash used for investing activities  (63,049)  (38,005)
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (54)  5 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  94   41 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $40  $46 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        


JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
             
  Three Months  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
             
REVENUES:            
Electric sales $1,087,245  $1,018,049  $2,691,782  $2,457,146 
Excise tax collections  15,358   15,168   39,792   39,849 
Total revenues  1,102,603   1,033,217   2,731,574   2,496,995 
                 
EXPENSES:                
Purchased power  720,996   654,418   1,751,854   1,505,420 
Other operating costs  78,275   87,010   234,628   236,225 
Provision for depreciation  23,205   22,032   70,030   63,867 
Amortization of regulatory assets  102,954   107,837   280,980   296,955 
General taxes  19,476   18,631   52,042   51,183 
Total expenses  944,906   889,928   2,389,534   2,153,650 
                 
OPERATING INCOME  157,697   143,289   342,040   343,345 
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (565)  2,967   459   9,266 
Interest expense  (25,747)  (24,666)  (75,051)  (71,576)
Capitalized interest  257   483   963   1,559 
Total other expense  (26,055)  (21,216)  (73,629)  (60,751)
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  131,642   122,073   268,411   282,594 
                 
INCOME TAXES  55,752   46,275   115,623   118,637 
                 
NET INCOME  75,890   75,798   152,788   163,957 
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (3,449)  (2,114)  (10,347)  (6,344)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  69   69   207   235 
Other comprehensive loss  (3,380)  (2,045)  (10,140)  (6,109)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (1,469)  (994)  (4,408)  (2,973)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (1,911)  (1,051)  (5,732)  (3,136)
                 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $73,979  $74,747  $147,056  $160,821 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company are an 
 integral part of these statements.                
 
6881

 


JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $38  $94 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $4,115,000 and $3,691,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  386,037   321,026 
Associated companies  45   21,297 
Other  51,020   59,244 
Notes receivable - associated companies  17,874   18,428 
Prepaid taxes  81,540   1,012 
Other  2,059   17,603 
   538,613   438,704 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  4,297,036   4,175,125 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  1,547,099   1,516,997 
   2,749,937   2,658,128 
Construction work in progress  65,095   90,508 
   2,815,032   2,748,636 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear fuel disposal trust  183,152   176,512 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  158,418   175,869 
Other  2,176   2,083 
   343,746   354,464 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Regulatory assets  1,295,024   1,595,662 
Goodwill  1,814,976   1,826,190 
Pension Assets  122,332   100,615 
Other  14,959   16,307 
   3,247,291   3,538,774 
  $6,944,682  $7,080,578 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $28,713  $27,206 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  142,617   130,381 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  10,541   7,541 
Other  226,947   193,848 
Accrued interest  26,594   9,318 
Cash collateral from suppliers  23,510   583 
Other  123,273   105,827 
   582,195   474,704 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $10 par value, authorized 16,000,000 shares-        
14,421,637 shares outstanding  144,216   144,216 
Other paid-in capital  2,648,732   2,655,941 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (25,613)  (19,881)
Retained earnings  204,376   237,588 
Total common stockholder's equity  2,971,711   3,017,864 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  1,540,208   1,560,310 
   4,511,919   4,578,174 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Power purchase contract loss liability  602,626   749,671 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  791,220   800,214 
Nuclear fuel disposal costs  195,688   192,402 
Asset retirement obligations  93,798   89,669 
Other  167,236   195,744 
   1,850,568   2,027,700 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $6,944,682  $7,080,578 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company 
are an integral part of these balance sheets.        
82



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $152,788  $163,957 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities -        
Provision for depreciation  70,030   63,867 
Amortization of regulatory assets  280,980   296,955 
Deferred purchased power and other costs  (132,820)  (157,201)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  1,051   (23,786)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (32,087)  (17,543)
Cash collateral received from (returned to) suppliers  23,138   (32,243)
Pension trust contribution  -   (17,800)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  (43,742)  (149,024)
Materials and supplies  348   127 
Prepaid taxes  (62,148)  (28,337)
Other current assets  (114)  2,079 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  36,099   (6,598)
Accrued taxes  2,082   29,318 
Accrued interest  17,276   13,062 
Tax collections payable  (12,493)  (12,478)
Other  24,705   2,534 
Net cash provided from operating activities  325,093   126,889 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  -   549,999 
Short-term borrowings, net  12,236   - 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (19,138)  (324,256)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (31,145)
Common Stock  -   (125,000)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (186,000)  (43,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  (192,902)  26,598 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (136,265)  (144,668)
Proceeds from asset sales  20,000   - 
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  553   1,722 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  186,564   169,649 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (199,699)  (181,794)
Other  (3,400)  1,640 
Net cash used for investing activities  (132,247)  (153,451)
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (56)  36 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  94   41 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $38  $77 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Jersey Central Power & Light Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        

83




METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Met-Ed is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Met-Ed conducts business in eastern Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. Met-Ed also provides generation service to those customers electing to retain Met-Ed as their power supplier.

Results of Operations

Net income decreased to $22$64 million in the first quarternine months of 2008, compared to $32$76 million in the same period of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to higher purchased power costs, increasedand other operating costs, and a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets, partially offset by higher revenues.revenues and deferrals of new regulatory assets.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $30$105 million, or 8.1%9.2%, in the first quarternine months of 2008 principally due to higher wholesale generation revenues. Wholesale revenues increased by $96 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due toreflecting higher retail and wholesale generation revenues combined with higherspot market prices for PJM market participants. Increased distribution throughput revenues were partially offset by a decreasedecreases in retail generation revenues and PJM transmission revenues.

In the first quarternine months of 2008, retail generation revenues increased $6decreased $1 million primarily due to higherlower KWH sales to the residential and commercialindustrial customer classes, partially offset by higher KWH sales to commercial customers and higher composite unit prices in all customer classes, partially offset by lower KWH sales to the industrial customer class.classes.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

  Increase 
Retail Generation KWH Sales (Decrease) 
     
Residential  4.6(0.8)%
Commercial  4.11.8 %
Industrial  (1.83.4)%
Net IncreaseDecrease in Retail Generation Sales  2.7(0.7)%

  Increase 
Retail Generation Revenues (Decrease) 
  (In millions) 
   Residential  $4(1)
   Commercial  34 
   Industrial  (14)
   Net IncreaseDecrease in Retail Generation Revenues  $6(1)

Wholesale revenues increased by $27 million in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily reflecting higher spot market prices for PJM market participants.

Revenues from distribution throughput increased $4$27 million in the first quarternine months of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007, due to higher2007. Higher rates received for transmission services, resulting from the annual update of Met-Ed’s TSC rider effective June 1, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters), were partially offset by decreased distribution rates. Decreased KWH deliveries in the residential and commercialindustrial customer classes were partially offset by decreasedincreased KWH deliveries to industrialcommercial customers.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

 
6984

 



  Increase 
Distribution KWH Deliveries (Decrease) 
     
Residential  4.6(0.8)%
Commercial  4.11.8 %
Industrial  (1.83.4)%
    Net IncreaseDecrease in Distribution Deliveries  2.7(0.7)%


Distribution Revenues Increase 
  (In millions) 
Residential  $111 
Commercial  311 
Industrial  -5 
    Increase in Distribution Revenues  $427 

PJM transmission revenues decreased by $7$18 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due to decreased PJM FTR revenue. Met-Ed defers the difference between revenue from its transmission riderrevenues and net transmission costs incurred in PJM, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $42$116 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:

Expenses – Changes 
 
Increase
  
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Purchased power costs $25  $96 
Other operating costs  9   35 
Provision for depreciation  1   2 
Amortization of regulatory assets  1   (1)
Deferral of new regulatory assets  5   (18)
General taxes  1   2 
Increase in expenses $42 
Net Increase in expenses $116 

Purchased power costs increased by $25$96 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 primarily due to higher composite unit prices combined with increased KWH purchased to source increased generation sales.from non-affiliates in PJM. Other operating costs increased by $9$35 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 primarily due to higher transmission expenses associated with increased transmission volumes and increased labor and contractor service expenses for storm restoration work performed during the first quarter of 2008.expenses.

The deferral of new regulatory assets decreasedincreased in the first quarternine months of 2008 primarily due to increased transmission cost deferrals ($29 million) and universal service charge deferrals ($4 million), partially offset by the absence of the 2007 deferral of previously expensed decommissioning costs ($15 million) associated withfor the Saxton nuclear research facility (see Note 11(C)), partially offset by increased transmission cost deferrals.Regulatory Matters).

Other Expense

Other expense increased $8 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 primarily due to a decrease in interest earned on stranded regulatory assets, reflecting a lower regulatory asset base, combined with an increase in other expenses, primarily due tobalances, and reduced income from life insurance investments.investment values, partially offset by lower interest expense.

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to Met-Ed.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to Met-Ed.



 
7085

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Metropolitan Edison Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Metropolitan Edison Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 8, Note 4, Note 2(G) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008



 
7186


METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
             
  Three Months  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
             
REVENUES:            
Electric sales $434,742  $391,083  $1,188,171  $1,087,460 
Gross receipts tax collections  20,793   19,524   59,669   55,146 
Total revenues  455,535   410,607   1,247,840   1,142,606 
                 
EXPENSES:                
Purchased power  245,699   209,842   680,424   584,249 
Other operating costs  126,659   106,104   350,704   315,227 
Provision for depreciation  11,394   11,154   33,446   31,969 
Amortization of regulatory assets  34,642   36,853   101,383   101,965 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (30,962)  (19,151)  (111,545)  (93,772)
General taxes  23,030   21,986   64,887   63,208 
Total expenses  410,462   366,788   1,119,299   1,002,846 
                 
OPERATING INCOME  45,073   43,819   128,541   139,760 
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Interest income  4,016   7,239   14,368   22,740 
Miscellaneous income  88   1,366   568   3,973 
Interest expense  (11,014)  (13,291)  (33,666)  (38,471)
Capitalized interest  93   292   73   940 
Total other expense  (6,817)  (4,394)  (18,657)  (10,818)
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  38,256   39,425   109,884   128,942 
                 
INCOME TAXES  16,270   14,737   45,866   53,145 
                 
NET INCOME  21,986   24,688   64,018   75,797 
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (2,233)  (1,452)  (6,699)  (4,357)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  84   83   252   251 
Other comprehensive loss  (2,149)  (1,369)  (6,447)  (4,106)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (971)  (693)  (2,912)  (2,078)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (1,178)  (676)  (3,535)  (2,028)
                 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $20,808  $24,012  $60,483  $73,769 
                 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral 
part of these statements.                

87



METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $129  $135 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,905,000 and $4,327,000        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  149,363   142,872 
Associated companies  22,060   27,693 
Other  21,130   18,909 
Notes receivable from associated companies  11,412   12,574 
Prepaid taxes  19,626   14,615 
Other  481   1,348 
   224,201   218,146 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,044,493   1,972,388 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  770,510   751,795 
   1,273,983   1,220,593 
Construction work in progress  32,801   30,594 
   1,306,784   1,251,187 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  256,366   286,831 
Other  982   1,360 
   257,348   288,191 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  418,568   424,313 
Regulatory assets  540,785   494,947 
Pension assets  59,740   51,427 
Other  30,714   36,411 
   1,049,807   1,007,098 
  $2,838,140  $2,764,622 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $28,500  $- 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  65,286   185,327 
Other  250,000   100,000 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  23,643   29,855 
Other  63,656   66,694 
Accrued taxes  2,483   16,020 
Accrued interest  7,273   6,778 
Other  30,858   27,393 
   471,699   432,067 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 900,000 shares-        
859,500 shares outstanding  1,198,206   1,203,186 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (18,932)  (15,397)
Accumulated deficit  (75,139)  (139,157)
Total common stockholder's equity  1,104,135   1,048,632 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  513,721   542,130 
   1,617,856   1,590,762 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  455,898   438,890 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  7,922   8,390 
Nuclear fuel disposal costs  44,205   43,462 
Asset retirement obligations  168,367   160,726 
Retirement benefits  5,252   8,681 
Other  66,941   81,644 
   748,585   741,793 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $2,838,140  $2,764,622 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an 
integral part of these balance sheets.        

88



METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $64,018  $75,797 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  33,446   31,969 
Amortization of regulatory assets  101,383   101,965 
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets  (9,673)  (53,276)
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (111,545)  (93,772)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  39,919   20,514 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (18,948)  (14,404)
Cash collateral  -   1,650 
Pension trust contribution  -   (11,012)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  (19,751)  (57,599)
Prepayments and other current assets  (4,144)  7,227 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (9,250)  (79,316)
Accrued taxes  (13,285)  3,024 
Accrued interest  495   (153)
Other  13,510   11,386 
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities  66,175   (56,000)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  28,500   - 
Short-term borrowings, net  29,959   193,324 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (28,640)  (50,000)
Net cash provided from financing activities  29,819   143,324 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (87,536)  (74,812)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  131,915   153,943 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (140,429)  (162,573)
Loans from (to) associated companies, net  1,163   (3,511)
Other  (1,113)  (375)
Net cash used for investing activities  (96,000)  (87,328)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (6)  (4)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  135   130 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $129  $126 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an 
integral part of these statements.        


89

 



METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
       
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
REVENUES:      
Electric sales $379,608  $352,136 
Gross receipts tax collections  20,718   18,120 
Total revenues  400,326   370,256 
         
EXPENSES:        
Purchased power  216,982   191,589 
Other operating costs  107,017   98,018 
Provision for depreciation  11,112   10,284 
Amortization of regulatory assets  35,575   34,140 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (37,772)  (42,726)
General taxes  21,781   21,052 
Total expenses  354,695   312,357 
         
OPERATING INCOME  45,631   57,899 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Interest income  5,479   7,726 
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (309)  1,109 
Interest expense  (11,672)  (11,756)
Capitalized interest  (219)  260 
Total other expense  (6,721)  (2,661)
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  38,910   55,238 
         
INCOME TAXES  16,675   23,599 
         
NET INCOME  22,235   31,639 
         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (2,233)  (1,452)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  84   84 
Other comprehensive loss  (2,149)  (1,368)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (970)  (692)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (1,179)  (676)
         
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $21,056  $30,963 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        

72


METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $132  $135 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $4,483,000 and $4,327,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  144,865   142,872 
Associated companies  55,776   27,693 
Other  20,673   18,909 
Notes receivable from associated companies  12,828   12,574 
Prepaid taxes  56,202   14,615 
Other  850   1,348 
   291,326   218,146 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  1,997,131   1,972,388 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  758,228   751,795 
   1,238,903   1,220,593 
Construction work in progress  32,946   30,594 
   1,271,849   1,251,187 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  271,771   286,831 
Other  1,377   1,360 
   273,148   288,191 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  424,070   424,313 
Regulatory assets  530,006   494,947 
Pension assets  54,198   51,427 
Other  31,097   36,411 
   1,039,371   1,007,098 
  $2,875,694  $2,764,622 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies $167,070  $185,327 
Other  250,000   100,000 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  25,556   29,855 
Other  56,797   66,694 
Accrued taxes  1,501   16,020 
Accrued interest  7,059   6,778 
Other  25,191   27,393 
   533,174   432,067 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, without par value, authorized 900,000 shares-        
859,000 shares outstanding  1,202,833   1,203,186 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (16,576)  (15,397)
Accumulated deficit  (116,922)  (139,157)
Total common stockholder's equity  1,069,335   1,048,632 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  513,661   542,130 
   1,582,996   1,590,762 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accumulated deferred income taxes  456,126   438,890 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  8,234   8,390 
Nuclear fuel disposal costs  43,831   43,462 
Asset retirement obligations  163,239   160,726 
Retirement benefits  7,621   8,681 
Other  80,473   81,644 
   759,524   741,793 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $2,875,694  $2,764,622 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are an integral 
part of these balance sheets.        

73



METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $22,235  $31,639 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  11,112   10,284 
Amortization of regulatory assets  35,575   34,140 
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets  (10,628)  (19,160)
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (37,772)  (42,726)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  17,307   16,178 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (9,655)  (7,683)
Cash collateral  -   3,050 
Pension trust contribution  -   (11,012)
Increase in operating assets-        
Receivables  (30,863)  (49,818)
Prepayments and other current assets  (41,088)  (27,131)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (14,196)  (58,986)
Accrued taxes  (14,519)  (9,835)
Accrued interest  281   1,243 
Other  3,892   3,939 
Net cash used for operating activities  (68,319)  (125,878)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  131,743   150,619 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (28,515)  - 
Net cash provided from financing activities  103,228   150,619 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (31,296)  (18,803)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  40,513   25,323 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (43,391)  (28,519)
Loans to associated companies, net  (254)  (2,822)
Other  (484)  79 
Net cash used for investing activities  (34,912)  (24,742)
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (3)  (1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  135   130 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $132  $129 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Metropolitan Edison Company are 
an integral part of these statements.        


74



PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Penelec is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Penelec conducts business in northern and south central Pennsylvania, providing regulated transmission and distribution services. Penelec also provides generation services to those customers electing to retain Penelec as their power supplier.

Results of Operations

Net income decreased to $21$62 million in the first quarternine months of 2008, compared to $32$74 million in the same period of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to increased purchased power costs, net amortization of regulatory assets, interest expense and other operating costs, and a decrease in the deferral of new regulatory assets, partially offset by higher revenues.

Revenues

Revenues increased by $40$96 million, or 11.1%9.2%, in the first quarternine months of 2008 as compared to the same time period of 2007, primarily due to higher retail and wholesale generation revenues, distribution throughput revenues and PJM transmission revenues. Wholesale revenues increased $76 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2007, primarily reflecting higher spot market prices for PJM market participants.

In the first quarternine months of 2008, retail generation revenues increased $5$3 million primarily due to higher KWH sales to the residential and commercial customer classes and higher composite unit prices in all customer classes and higher KWH sales to commercial customers, partially offset by lowera slight decrease in KWH sales to the industrial customer class.customers.

Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation KWH Sales 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
    
Residential  4.5- %
Commercial  3.00.7  %
Industrial  (1.60.3)%
    Net Increase in Retail Generation Sales  2.20.2 %

   
Retail Generation Revenues Increase  Increase 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Residential $3  $1 
Commercial  2   2 
Industrial  -   - 
Increase in Retail Generation Revenues $5  $3 

Wholesale revenuesRevenues from distribution throughput increased $21$7 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, primarily reflecting higher spot market prices for PJM market participants.

Revenues from distribution throughput increased $4 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, due to increased2007. Higher usage in the residentialcommercial and commercial customer classes,industrial sectors along with an increase in transmission rates, resulting from the annual update of Penelec’s TSC rider effective June 1, 2008 (see Regulatory Matters), was partially offset by decreased KWH deliveries to industrial customers.a decrease in distribution rates.

Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 are summarized in the following tables:

75



Distribution KWH Deliveries 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
    
Residential  4.5- %
Commercial  3.00.7 %
Industrial  (1.51.7)%
    Net Increase in Retail Generation SalesDistribution Deliveries  2.10.8 %

Distribution Revenues Increase 
  (In millions) 
Residential $2 
Commercial  2 
Industrial  - 
    Increase in Retail Generation Revenues $4 

90



Distribution Revenues 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
  
(In millions)
 
Residential $6 
Commercial  2 
Industrial  (1)
    Net Increase in Distribution Revenues $7 

PJM transmission revenues increased by $10$12 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, primarily due to higher transmission volumes.PJM FTR revenue. Penelec defers the difference between revenue from its transmission riderrevenues and totalnet transmission costs incurred in PJM, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $49$105 million in the first quarternine months of 2008 as compared with the same period of 2007. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:

     
Expenses - Changes Increase Increase 
 (In millions) (In millions) 
Purchased power costs $20 $69 
Other operating costs  12  6 
Provision for depreciation  1  4 
Amortization of regulatory assets  1
Deferral of new regulatory assets  13
Amortization of regulatory assets, net  23 
General taxes  2  3 
Increase in expenses $49 $105 

Purchased power costs increased by $20$69 million, or 10.2%11.7%, in the first quarternine months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, due primarily due to increasedhigher composite unit prices combined with higher KWH purchases to source increased retail and wholesale generation sales.from non-affiliates in the PJM market. Other operating costs increased by $12$6 million in the first quarternine months of 2008, principally due to higher congestion costs and other transmission expenses associated withand higher expenses related to Penelec’s customer assistance programs. Depreciation expense increased transmission volumes.primarily due to an increase in depreciable property since the third quarter of 2007.

The deferralAmortization of new regulatory assets decreased(net of deferrals) increased in the first quarternine months of 2008 primarily due to the absence of the 2007 deferral of previously expensed decommissioning costs ($12 million) associated withfor the Saxton nuclear research facility (see Note 11)Regulatory Matters) and a decrease indecreased transmission cost deferrals.deferrals ($16 million), partially offset by an increase in universal service charge deferrals ($5 million).

In the first quarternine months of 2008, general taxes increased $2 million as compared tofrom the same period of 2007, primarily due to higher gross receipts taxes.taxes ($4 million), partially offset by lower capital stock taxes ($1 million).

Other Expense

In the first quarternine months of 2008, other expense increased primarily due to higher interest expense associated with Penelec’s $300 million senior note issuance in August 2007 and reduced income from life insurance investments.investment values.

Legal Proceedings

See the “Regulatory Matters,” “Environmental Matters” and “Other Legal Proceedings” sections within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of legal proceedings applicable to Penelec.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

See the “New Accounting Standards and Interpretations” section within the Combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant Subsidiaries for discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations applicable to Penelec.

 
7691

 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








To the Stockholder and Board of
Directors of Pennsylvania Electric Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Pennsylvania Electric Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, capitalization, common stockholders’stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report (which contained references to the Company’s change in its method of accounting for uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 2007, defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2005, as discussed in Note 8, Note 4, Note 2(G) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) dated February 28, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2007, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 7,November 6, 2008



 
7792

 



PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANYPENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 
                  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOMECONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
      
Three Months Ended 
March 31, 
                  
 2008  2007   Three Months   Nine Months 
        Ended September 30  Ended September 30 
(In thousands)  2008  2007  2008  2007 
      (In thousands) 
REVENUES:                  
Electric sales $376,028  $339,226  $372,576  $336,798  $1,083,986  $991,769 
Gross receipts tax collections  19,464   16,680   17,200   16,637   52,704   48,989 
Total revenues  395,492   355,906   389,776   353,435   1,136,690   1,040,758 
                        
EXPENSES:                        
Purchased power  221,234   200,842   230,656   203,247   657,681   588,583 
Other operating costs  71,077   59,461   54,727   51,571   175,904   169,299 
Provision for depreciation  12,516   11,777   14,097   12,566   40,531   36,678 
Amortization of regulatory assets  16,346   15,394 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (3,526)  (17,088)
Amortization of regulatory assets, net  23,415   20,861   55,346   32,648 
General taxes  21,855   19,851   20,285   19,433   60,485   57,634 
Total expenses  339,502   290,237   343,180   307,678   989,947   884,842 
                        
OPERATING INCOME  55,990   65,669   46,596   45,757   146,743   155,916 
                        
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                        
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (191)  1,417   (93)  1,483   774   5,035 
Interest expense  (15,322)  (11,337)  (14,934)  (14,017)  (45,157)  (38,426)
Capitalized interest  (806)  258   57   194   (679)  737 
Total other expense  (16,319)  (9,662)  (14,970)  (12,340)  (45,062)  (32,654)
                        
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  39,671   56,007   31,626   33,417   101,681   123,262 
                        
INCOME TAXES  18,279   24,263   9,058   10,387   39,324   49,025 
                        
NET INCOME  21,392   31,744   22,568   23,030   62,357   74,237 
                        
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                        
Pension and other postretirement benefits  (3,473)  (2,825)  (3,474)  (2,825)  (10,421)  (8,475)
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges  16   16   16   16   48   49 
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities  11   (3)  2   10   (8)  (6)
Other comprehensive loss  (3,446)  (2,812)  (3,456)  (2,799)  (10,381)  (8,432)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss  (1,506)  (1,298)  (1,510)  (1,294)  (4,536)  (3,894)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax  (1,940)  (1,514)  (1,946)  (1,505)  (5,845)  (4,538)
                        
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $19,452  $30,230  $20,622  $21,525  $56,512  $69,699 
                        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company 
are an integral part of these statements.        
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integralThe accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an integral 
part of these statements.                

 
78



PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $43  $46 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $4,201,000 and $3,905,000,        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  141,316   137,455 
Associated companies  23,396   22,014 
Other  28,833   19,529 
Notes receivable from associated companies  16,923   16,313 
Prepaid gross receipts taxes  41,242   - 
Other  2,426   3,077 
   254,179   198,434 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,230,667   2,219,002 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  843,500   838,621 
   1,387,167   1,380,381 
Construction work in progress  33,727   24,251 
   1,420,894   1,404,632 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  132,152   137,859 
Non-utility generation trusts  113,958   112,670 
Other  536   531 
   246,646   251,060 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  777,616   777,904 
Pension assets  69,405   66,111 
Other  29,770   33,893 
   876,791   877,908 
  $2,798,510  $2,732,034 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies $183,102  $214,893 
Other  150,000   - 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  61,476   83,359 
Other  50,516   51,777 
Accrued taxes  9,302   15,111 
Accrued interest  13,677   13,167 
Other  23,330   25,311 
   491,403   403,618 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $20 par value, authorized 5,400,000 shares-        
4,427,577 shares outstanding  88,552   88,552 
Other paid-in capital  920,265   920,616 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  3,006   4,946 
Retained earnings  79,336   57,943 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,091,159   1,072,057 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  732,465   777,243 
   1,823,624   1,849,300 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Regulatory liabilities  67,347   73,559 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  220,500   210,776 
Retirement benefits  41,644   41,298 
Asset retirement obligations  83,129   81,849 
Other  70,863   71,634 
   483,483   479,116 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)        
  $2,798,510  $2,732,034 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are an 
integral part of these balance sheets.        

7993

 


PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $36  $46 
Receivables-        
Customers (less accumulated provisions of $3,240,000 and $3,905,000        
respectively, for uncollectible accounts)  130,427   137,455 
Associated companies  57,715   22,014 
Other  20,367   19,529 
Notes receivable from associated companies  15,406   16,313 
Prepaid taxes  31,313   1,796 
Other  494   1,281 
   255,758   198,434 
UTILITY PLANT:        
In service  2,290,777   2,219,002 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  858,150   838,621 
   1,432,627   1,380,381 
Construction work in progress  29,503   24,251 
   1,462,130   1,404,632 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:        
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  128,594   137,859 
Non-utility generation trusts  115,938   112,670 
Other  299   531 
   244,831   251,060 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:        
Goodwill  771,085   777,904 
Pension assets  75,992   66,111 
Other  29,610   33,893 
   876,687   877,908 
  $2,839,406  $2,732,034 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Currently payable long-term debt $145,000  $- 
Short-term borrowings-        
Associated companies  30,483   214,893 
Other  250,000   - 
Accounts payable-        
Associated companies  83,058   83,359 
Other  47,796   51,777 
Accrued taxes  3,923   15,111 
Accrued interest  14,034   13,167 
Other  30,297   25,311 
   604,591   403,618 
CAPITALIZATION:        
Common stockholder's equity-        
Common stock, $20 par value, authorized 5,400,000 shares-        
4,427,577 shares outstanding  88,552   88,552 
Other paid-in capital  914,863   920,616 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (899)  4,946 
Retained earnings  50,300   57,943 
Total common stockholder's equity  1,052,816   1,072,057 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  632,910   777,243 
   1,685,726   1,849,300 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Regulatory liabilities  104,927   73,559 
Asset retirement obligations  85,748   81,849 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  253,798   210,776 
Retirement benefits  40,864   41,298 
Other  63,752   71,634 
   549,089   479,116 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)        
  $2,839,406  $2,732,034 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are 
an integral part of these statements.        
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $21,392  $31,744 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  12,516   11,777 
Amortization of regulatory assets  16,346   15,394 
Deferral of new regulatory assets  (3,526)  (17,088)
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets  (8,403)  (18,433)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  10,541   13,366 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (10,488)  (8,786)
Cash collateral  301   1,450 
Pension trust contribution  -   (13,436)
Increase in operating assets-        
Receivables  (13,701)  (30,050)
Prepayments and other current assets  (40,591)  (36,225)
Increase (Decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (23,144)  (46,168)
Accrued taxes  (5,809)  (9,152)
Accrued interest  510   5,518 
Other  4,991   3,920 
Net cash used for operating activities  (39,065)  (96,169)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Short-term borrowings, net  118,209   119,361 
Redemptions and Repayments        
Long-term debt  (45,112)  - 
Net cash provided from financing activities  73,097   119,361 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (28,902)  (20,404)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  24,407   12,758 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  (29,083)  (15,509)
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  (610)  708 
Other  153   (747)
Net cash used for investing activities  (34,035)  (23,194)
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (3)  (2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  46   44 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $43  $42 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are 
an integral part of these statements.        


 
8094

 


PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
       
  Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 
  2008  2007 
  (In thousands) 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $62,357  $74,237 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-     
Provision for depreciation  40,531   36,678 
Amortization of regulatory assets, net  55,346   32,648 
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets  (20,304)  (54,228)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net  68,377   8,065 
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits  (21,190)  (16,032)
Cash collateral  -   50 
Pension trust contribution  -   (13,436)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-        
Receivables  (42,971)  13,809 
Prepayments and other current assets  (28,730)  (4,757)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-        
Accounts payable  (3,437)  14,299 
Accrued taxes  (11,521)  (4,930)
Accrued interest  867   6,608 
Other  14,663   9,197 
Net cash provided from operating activities  113,988   102,208 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
New Financing-        
Long-term debt  45,000   297,149 
Short-term borrowings, net  65,590   53,082 
Redemptions and Repayments-        
Long-term debt  (45,332)  - 
Common stock  -   (200,000)
Dividend Payments-        
Common stock  (70,000)  (125,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  (4,742)  25,231 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Property additions  (94,810)  (70,076)
Loan repayments from associated companies, net  907   2,378 
Sales of investment securities held in trust  84,499   94,292 
Purchases of investment securities held in trust  (96,950)  (150,711)
Other  (2,902)  (3,328)
Net cash used for investing activities  (109,256)  (127,445)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (10)  (6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  46   44 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $36  $38 
         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to Pennsylvania Electric Company are 
an integral part of these statements.        

95



COMBINED MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF REGISTRANT SUBSIDIARIES


The following is a combined presentation of certain disclosures referenced in Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations of FES and the Companies.Utilities. This information should be read in conjunction with (i) FES’ and the Companies’Utilities’ respective Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations; (ii) the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as they relate to FES and the Companies;Utilities; and (iii) FES’ and the Companies’Utilities’ respective 2007 Annual Reports on Form 10-K.

Regulatory Matters (Applicable to each of the Companies)Utilities)

In Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, laws applicable to electric industry restructuring contain similar provisions that are reflected in the Companies'Utilities' respective state regulatory plans. These provisions include:

·restructuring the electric generation business and allowing the Companies'Utilities' customers to select a competitive electric generation supplier other than the Companies;Utilities;
  
·establishing or defining the PLR obligations to customers in the Companies'Utilities' service areas;
  
·providing the CompaniesUtilities with the opportunity to recover potentially stranded investment (or transition costs)certain costs not otherwise recoverable in a competitive generation market;
  
·itemizing (unbundling) the price of electricity into its component elements – including generation, transmission, distribution and stranded costs recovery charges;
  
·continuing regulation of the Companies'Utilities' transmission and distribution systems; and
  
·requiring corporate separation of regulated and unregulated business activities.

The CompaniesUtilities and ATSI recognize, as regulatory assets, costs which the FERC, PUCO, PPUC and NJBPU have authorized for recovery from customers in future periods or for which authorization is probable. Without the probability of such authorization, costs currently recorded as regulatory assets would have been charged to income as incurred. Regulatory assets that do not earn a current return totaled approximately $137 million as of March 31,September 30, 2008 (JCPwere $64 million for JCP&L - $78and $64 million and Met-Ed - $59 million).for Met-Ed. Regulatory assets not earning a current return are expected to be recovered by 2014 for JCP&L and by 2020 for Met-Ed. The following table discloses regulatory assets by company:

 March 31, December 31, Increase  September 30, December 31, Increase 
Regulatory Assets* 2008 2007 (Decrease)  2008 2007 (Decrease) 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
OE $710 $737 $(27) $621 $737 $(116)
CEI  854  871  (17)  796  871  (75)
TE  188  204  (16)  145  204  (59)
JCP&L  1,476  1,596  (120)  1,295  1,596  (301)
Met-Ed  530  495  35   541  495  46 
ATSI  
39
  
42
  
(3
)  
35
  
42
  
(7
)
Total 
$
3,797
 
$
3,945
 
$
(148
) 
$
3,433
 
$
3,945
 
$
(512
)

*Penelec had net regulatory liabilities of approximately $67$105 million and $74 million as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These net regulatory liabilities are included in Other Non-current Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


96



Ohio (Applicable to OE, CEI and TE)

The Ohio Companies filed an application and stipulation with the PUCO on September 9, 2005 seeking approval of the RCP, a supplement to the RSP. On November 4, 2005, the Ohio Companies filed a supplemental stipulation with the PUCO, which constituted an additional component of the RCP. On January 4, 2006, the PUCO approved, with modifications, the Ohio Companies’ RCP to supplement the RSP to provide customers with more certain rate levels than otherwise available under the RSP during the plan period. The following table provides the estimated net amortization of regulatory transition costs and deferred shopping incentives (including associated carrying charges) under the RCP for the period 2008 through 2010:

81



 Amortization           Total 
 Period OE  CEI  TE  Ohio 
  (In millions) 
2008 $204 $126 $118 $448 
2009  -  212  -  212 
2010  
-
  
273
  
-
  
273
 
Total Amortization 
$
204
 
$
611
 
$
118
 
$
933
 

On January 4, 2006, the PUCO issued an order authorizing the Ohio Companies to recover certain increased fuel costs through a fuel rider and to defer certain other increased fuel costs to be incurred from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, including interest on the deferred balances. The order also provided for recovery of the deferred costs over a twenty-five-year period through distribution rates. On August 29, 2007, the Supreme Court of Ohio concluded that the PUCO violated a provision of the Ohio Revised Code by permitting the Ohio Companies “to collect deferred increased fuel costs through future distribution rate cases, or to alternatively use excess fuel-cost recovery to reduce deferred distribution-related expenses” and remanded the matter to the PUCO for further consideration. On September 10, 2007 the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO that requested the implementation of two generation-related fuel cost riders to collect the increased fuel costs that were previously authorized to be deferred. On January 9, 2008 the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ proposed fuel cost rider to recover increased fuel costs to be incurred in 2008 commencing January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which is expected to be approximately $189 million (OE - $91$92 million, CEI - $72$69 million and TE - $26$28 million). In addition, the PUCO ordered the Ohio Companies to file a separate application for an alternate recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs. On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover $226 million (OE - $114 million, CEI - $79 million and TE - $33 million) of deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 pursuant to a separate fuel rider, with alternative options forrider. Recovery of the deferred fuel costs is addressed in the Ohio Companies’ comprehensive ESP filing, as described below. If the recovery period ranging from five to twenty-five years. This second applicationof the deferred fuel costs is currently pending beforenot resolved in the ESP, or in the event the MRO is implemented, recovery of the deferred fuel costs will be resolved in the proceeding that was instituted with the PUCO and a hearing has been set for July 15, 2008.on February 8, 2008, as referenced above.

TheOn June 7, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application and rate request for an increase in electric distribution rates with the PUCO on June 7, 2007. The requested increase is expected to be more than offset by the elimination or reduction of transition charges at the time the rates go into effect and, would result in lowering the overall non-generation portion of the average electric bill for most Ohio customers.  The distribution rate increases reflect capital expenditures since the Ohio Companies’ last distribution rate proceedings, increases in operation and maintenance expenses and recovery of regulatory assets that were authorized in prior cases. Onon August 6, 2007, the Ohio Companies updated their filing supportingto support a distribution rate increase of $332 million (OE - $156 million, CEI - $108 million and TE - $68 million). On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of theirits investigation into the distribution rate request. In its reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase in the range of $161 million to $180 million (OE - $57 million to $66 million, CEI - $54 million to $61 million and TE - $50 million to $53 million), with $108 million to $127 million for distribution revenue increases and $53 million for recovery of costs deferred under prior cases. This amount excludes the recovery of deferred fuel costs, whose recovery is now being sought in a separate proceeding before the PUCO, discussed above. On January 3, 2008, the Ohio Companies and intervening parties filed objections to the Staff Reports and on January 10, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed supplemental testimony. Evidentiary hearings began on January 29, 2008 and continued through February 25, 2008. During the evidentiary hearings and filing of briefs, the PUCO Staff submitted testimony decreasingdecreased their recommended revenue increase to a range of $114$117 million to $132$135 million. Additionally, in testimony submitted on February 11, 2008, the PUCO Staff adopted a position regarding interest deferred for RCP-related deferrals, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals that, if upheld by the PUCO, would result in the write-off of approximately $45$58 million (OE - $31$38 million, CEI - $9$13 million and TE - $5$7 million) of interest costs deferred through March 31, 2008 ($0.09 per share of common stock). The PUCO is expected to render its decision during the second or third quarter ofSeptember 30, 2008. The new ratesOhio Companies’ electric distribution rate request is addressed in their comprehensive ESP filing, as described below.

On May 1, 2008, Governor Strickland signed SB221, which became effective on July 31, 2008. The bill requires all utilities to file an ESP with the PUCO. A utility also may file an MRO in which it would become effective January 1, 2009 for OE and TE, and approximately May 2009 for CEI.have to prove the following objective market criteria:

·  the utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC approved RTO, or there is comparable and nondiscriminatory access to the electric transmission grid;

·  the RTO has a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power or the utility’s market conduct, or a similar market monitoring function exists with the ability to identify and monitor market conditions and conduct; and

·  a published source of information is available publicly or through subscription that identifies pricing information for traded electricity products, both on- and off-peak, scheduled for delivery two years into the future.

On July 10, 2007,31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO requesting approval of a comprehensive supply plan for providing retail generation service to customers who doESP and MRO. The MRO outlines a CBP that would be implemented if the ESP is not purchase electricity fromapproved by the PUCO. Under SB221, a PUCO ruling on the ESP filing is required within 150 days and an alternative supplier, beginning January 1, 2009.MRO decision is required within 90 days. The proposed competitive bidding process would average the results of multiple bidding sessions conducted at different times during the year. The final price per KWH would reflect an average of the prices resulting from all bids. In their filing, the Ohio Companies offered two alternatives for structuring the bids, either by customer class or a “slice-of-system” approach. A slice-of-system approach would require the successful bidder to be responsible for supplying a fixed percentage of the utility’s total load notwithstanding the customer’s classification. The proposal provides the PUCO with an optionESP proposes to phase in new generation price increasesrates for residential tariff groups whocustomers beginning in 2009 for up to a three-year period and would experience a changeresolve the Ohio Companies’ collection of fuel costs deferred in their average total price2006 and 2007, and the distribution rate request described above. Major provisions of 15 percent or more. The PUCO held a technical conference on August 16, 2007 regarding the filing. Initial and reply comments on the proposal were filed by various parties in September and October 2007, respectively. The proposal is currently pending before the PUCO.ESP include:

·  a phase-in of new generation rates for up to a three-year period, whereby customers would receive a 10% phase-in credit; related costs (expected to approximate $429 million (OE - $198 million, CEI - $150 million and TE - $81 million) in 2009, $488 million (OE - $226 million, CEI - $170 million and TE - $92 million) in 2010 and $553 million (OE - $257 million, CEI - $193 million and TE - $103 million) in 2011) would be deferred for future collection over a period not to exceed 10 years;

·  a reconcilable rider to recover fuel transportation cost surcharges in excess of $30 million in 2009, $20 million in 2010 and $10 million in 2011;

 
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On April 22, 2008, an amended version of Substitute SB221 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and sent back to the Ohio Senate for concurrence. On April 23, 2008, the Ohio Senate approved the House's amendments to Substitute SB221 and forwarded the bill to the Governor for signature, which he signed on May 1, 2008. Amended Substitute SB221 requires all electric distribution utilities to file an RSP, now called an ESP, with the PUCO. An ESP is required to contain a proposal for the supply and pricing of retail generation and may include proposals, without limitation, related to one or more of the following:

·  automatic recovery of prudentlygeneration rate adjustments to recover any increase in fuel costs in 2011 over fuel costs incurred fuel, purchased power, emission allowance costs and federally mandated energy taxes;in 2010 for FES’ generation assets used to support the ESP;

·  construction work in progress forgeneration rate adjustments to recover the costs of constructing an electric generating facilitycomplying with new requirements for certain renewable energy resources, new taxes and new environmental laws or environmental expenditure for any electric generating facility;new interpretations of existing laws that take effect after January 1, 2008 and exceed $50 million during the plan period;

·  an RCP fuel rider to recover the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs of an electric generating facility;and carrying charges (described above) over a period not to exceed 25 years;

·  terms relatedthe resolution of outstanding issues pending in the Ohio Companies’ distribution rate case (described above), including annual electric distribution rate increases of $75 million for OE, $34.5 million for CEI and $40.5 million for TE. The new distribution rates would be effective January 1, 2009, for OE and TE and May 1, 2009 for CEI, with a commitment to customer shopping, bypassability, standby, back-up and default service;maintain distribution rates through 2013. CEI also would be authorized to defer $25 million in distribution-related costs incurred from January 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009;

·  accountingan adjustable delivery service improvement rider, effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2013, to ensure the Ohio Companies maintain and improve customer standards for deferrals related to stabilizing retail electric service;service and reliability;

·  automatic increases or decreasesthe waiver of RTC charges for CEI’s customers as of January 1, 2009, which would result in standard service offer price;

·  phase-in and securitization;

·  transmission service and relatedCEI’s write-off of approximately $485 million of estimated unrecoverable transition costs;

·  
the continued recovery of transmission costs, including MISO, ancillary services and congestion charges, through an annually adjusted transmission rider; a separate rider will be established to recover costs incurred annually between May 1st and September 30th for capacity purchases required to meet FERC, NERC, MISO and other applicable standards for planning reserve margin requirements in excess of amounts provided by FES as described in the ESP (the separate application for the recovery of these costs was filed on October 17, 2008);

·  a deferred transmission cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010 to recover transmission costs deferred by the Ohio Companies in 2005 and accumulated carrying charges through December 31, 2008; a deferred distribution cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2011, to recover distribution costs deferred under the RCP, CEI’s additional $25 million of cost deferrals in 2009, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals;

·  the deferral of annual storm damage expenses in excess of $13.9 million, certain line extension costs, as well as depreciation, property tax obligations and post in-service carrying charges on energy delivery capital investments for reliability and system efficiency placed in service after December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2014, a rider will be established to collect the deferred balance and related costs;associated carrying charges over a 10-year period; and

·  a commitment by the Ohio Companies to invest in aggregate at least $1 billion in capital improvements in their energy delivery systems through 2013 and fund $25 million for energy efficiency programs and $25 million for economic development and energy efficiency.job retention programs through 2013.

Evidentiary hearings in the ESP case concluded on October 31, 2008 and no further hearings are scheduled. The parties are required to submit initial briefs by November 21, 2008, with all reply briefs due by December 12, 2008.
A utility
The Ohio Companies’ MRO filing outlines a CBP for providing retail generation supply if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO or is changed and not accepted by the Ohio Companies. The CBP would use a “slice-of-system” approach where suppliers bid on tranches (approximately 100 MW) of the Ohio Companies’ total customer load. If the Ohio Companies proceed with the MRO option, successful bidders (including affiliates) would be required to post independent credit requirements and could also simultaneously file an MRO in which it would havebe subject to demonstratesignificant collateral calls depending upon power price movement. On September 16, 2008, the following objective market criteria: The utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC-approved RTO having a market-monitor functionPUCO staff filed testimony and the ability to mitigate market power, and a published source exists that identifies information for traded electricity and energy products that are contracted for delivery two years into the future.evidentiary hearings were held. The PUCO would testfailed to act on October 29, 2008 as required under the statute.  The Ohio Companies are unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding.

The Ohio Companies included an interim pricing proposal as part of their ESP filing, if additional time is necessary for final PUCO approval of either the ESP and its pricing and all other terms and conditions againstor MRO. FES will be required to obtain FERC authorization to sell electric capacity or energy to the MRO and may only approveOhio Companies under the ESP if itor MRO, unless a waiver is found to be more favorable to customers. As part of an ESP with a plan period longer than three years, the PUCO shall prospectively determine every fourth year of the plan whether it is substantially likely the plan will provide the electric distribution utility a return on common equity significantly in excess of the return likely to be earned by publicly traded companies, including utilities, that face comparable business and financial risk (comparable companies)obtained (see FERC Matters). If so, the PUCO may terminate the ESP. Annually under an ESP, the PUCO shall determine whether an electric distribution utility's earned return on common equity is significantly in excess of returns earned on common equity during the same period by comparable companies, and if so, shall require the utility to return such excess to customers by prospective adjustments. Amended Substitute SB221 also includes provisions dealing with advanced and renewable energy standards that contemplate 25% of electrical usage from these sources by 2025. Energy efficiency measures in the bill require energy savings in excess of 22% by 2025. Requirements are in place to meet annual benchmarks for renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, subject to review by the PUCO. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating this legislation and expects to file an ESP in the second or third quarter of 2008.

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Pennsylvania (Applicable to FES, Met-Ed, Penelec, OE and Penn)

Met-Ed and Penelec purchase a portion of their PLR and default service requirements from FES through a fixed-price partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement. The agreement allows Met-Ed and Penelec to sell the output of NUG energy to the market and requires FES to provide energy at fixed prices to replace any NUG energy sold to the extent needed for Met-Ed and Penelec to satisfy their PLR and default service obligations. The fixed price under the agreement is expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. If Met-Ed and Penelec were to replace the entire FES supply at current market power prices without corresponding regulatory authorization to increase their generation prices to customers, each company would likely incur a significant increase in operating expenses and experience a material deterioration in credit quality metrics. Under such a scenario, each company's credit profile would no longer be expected to support an investment grade rating for their fixed income securities. Based on the PPUC’s January 11, 2007 order described below, if FES ultimately determines to terminate, reduce, or significantly modify the agreement prior to the expiration of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation rate caps in 2010, timely regulatory relief is not likely to be granted by the PPUC. See FERC Matters below for a description of the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, executed by the parties on October 31, 2008, that limits the amount of energy and capacity FES must supply to Met-Ed and Penelec. In the event of a third party supplier default, the increased costs to Met-Ed and Penelec could be material.

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Met-Ed and Penelec made a comprehensive transition rate filing with the PPUC on April 10, 2006 to address a number of transmission, distribution and supply issues. If Met-Ed's and Penelec's preferred approach involving accounting deferrals had been approved, annual revenues would have increased by $216 million and $157 million, respectively. That filing included, among other things, a request to charge customers for an increasing amount of market-priced power procured through a CBP as the amount of supply provided under the then existing FES agreement was to be phased out. Met-Ed and Penelec also requested approval of a January 12, 2005 petition for the deferral of transmission-related costs incurred during 2006. In this rate filing, Met-Ed and Penelec requested recovery of annual transmission and related costs incurred on or after January 1, 2007, plus the amortized portion of 2006 costs over a ten-year period, along with applicable carrying charges, through an adjustable rider. Changes in the recovery of NUG expenses and the recovery of Met-Ed's non-NUG stranded costs were also included in the filing. On May 4, 2006, the PPUC consolidated the remand of the FirstEnergy and GPU merger proceeding, related to the quantification and allocation of merger savings, with the comprehensive transition rate filing case.

The PPUC entered its opinion and order in the comprehensive rate filing proceeding on January 11, 2007. The order approved the recovery of transmission costs, including the transmission-related deferral for January 1, 2006 through January 10, 2007, and determined that no merger savings from prior years should be considered in determining customers’ rates. The request for increases in generation supply rates was denied as were the requested changes to NUG expense recovery and Met-Ed’s non-NUG stranded costs. The order decreased Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s distribution rates by $80 million and $19 million, respectively. These decreases were offset by the increases allowed for the recovery of transmission costs. Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s request for recovery of Saxton decommissioning costs was granted and, in January 2007, Met-Ed and Penelec recognized income of $15 million and $12 million, respectively, to establish regulatory assets for those previously expensed decommissioning costs. Overall rates increased by 5.0% for Met-Ed ($59 million) and 4.5% for Penelec ($50 million).

On March 30, 2007, MEIUG and PICA filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania asking the courtCourt to review the PPUC’s determination on transmission (including congestion) and the transmission deferral. Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition for Review on April 13, 2007 on the issues of consolidated tax savings and the requested generation rate increase. The OCA filed its Petition for Review on April 13, 2007, on the issues of transmission (including congestion) and recovery of universal service costs from only the residential rate class. From June through October 2007, initial responsive and reply briefs were filed by various parties. Oral arguments are scheduled to take placeThe Commonwealth Court issued its decision on November 7, 2008, which affirmed the PPUC's January 11, 2007 order in September 2008. If Met-Edall respects, including the deferral and Penelec do not prevail on the issuerecovery of transmission and congestion it could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations of Met-Ed, Penelec and FirstEnergy.related costs.

On April 14,May 22, 2008, the PPUC approved the Met-Ed and Penelec filed annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. Various intervenors filed complaints against Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s TSC filings.  In addition, the PPUC ordered an investigation to review the reasonableness of Met-Ed’s TSC, while at the same time allowing the company to implement the rider June 1, 2008, subject to refund. On July 15, 2008, the PPUC directed the ALJ to consolidate the complaints against Met-Ed with its investigation and a litigation schedule was adopted with hearings for both companies scheduled to begin in January 2009. The proposed TSCs include a component for under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed has proposedreceived approval from the PPUC of a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portion of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

On March 13, 2008, the PPUC approved the residential procurement process in Penn’s Joint Petition for Settlement. This RFP process calls for load-following, full-requirements contracts for default service procurement for residential customers for the period covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2011. The PPUC had previously approved the default service procurement processes for commercial and industrial customers. The default service procurement for small commercial customers was conducted through multiple RFPs, while the default service procurement for large commercial and industrial customers will utilize hourly pricing. Bids in the two RFPs for small commercial load were approved by the PPUC on February 22, 2008, and March 20, 2008. On March 28, 2008, Penn filed compliance tariffs with the new default service generation rates based on the approved RFP bids for small commercial customers which the PPUC then certified on April 4, 2008. On April 14, 2008, the first RFP for residential customers’ load was held consisting of tranches for both 12 and 24-month supply. The PPUC approved the bids on April 16, 2008. The second RFP is scheduled to be held on May 14, 2008, after which time the PPUC is expected to approve the new rates to go into effect June 1, 2008.

 
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On February 1, 2007, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an EIS. The EIS includes four pieces of proposed legislation that, according to the Governor, is designed to reduce energy costs, promote energy independence and stimulate the economy. Elements of the EIS include the installation of smart meters, funding for solar panels on residences and small businesses, conservation and demand reduction programs to meet energy growth, a requirement that electric distribution companies acquire power that results in the “lowest reasonable rate on a long-term basis,” the utilization of micro-grids and a three year phase-in of rate increases. On July 17, 2007 the Governor signed into law two pieces of energy legislation. The first amended the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 to, among other things, increase the percentage of solar energy that must be supplied at the conclusion of an electric distribution company’s transition period. The second law allows electric distribution companies, at their sole discretion, to enter into long term contracts with large customers and to build or acquire interests in electric generation facilities specifically to supply long-term contracts with such customers. A special legislative session on energy was convened in mid-September 2007 to consider other aspects of the EIS. The Pennsylvania House and Senate on March 11, 2008 and December 12, 2007, respectively, passed different versions of bills to fund the Governor’s EIS proposal. Neither chamber has formally consideredAs part of the other’s bill.2008 state budget negotiations, the Alternative Energy Investment Act was enacted creating a $650 million alternative energy fund to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.  On February 12,October 8, 2008, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 2200 as amended, was voted out of the full Senate and adopted by the House. On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which provides forbecomes effective on November 14, 2008 as Act 129 of 2008.  The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and demand management programs and targets as well as the installation ofpeak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters within ten years. Otherand alternative energy.  Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009 and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009.
Major provisions of the legislation has been introduced to address generationinclude:

·  power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

·  the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, request for proposals, and/or bilateral agreements;

·  utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

·  a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;

·  minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

·  an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.

The current legislative session ends on November 30, 2008, and any pending legislation addressing rate mitigation and the expiration of rate caps conservationnot enacted by that time must be re-introduced in order to be considered in the next legislative session which begins in January 2009.  While the form and renewable energy. The final formimpact of this pendingsuch legislation is uncertain. Consequently,uncertain, several legislators and the Governor have indicated their intent to address these issues next year.

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec OEfiled for Commission approval of a Voluntary Prepayment Plan that would provide an opportunity for residential and Penn are unablesmall commercial customers to predict what impact, if any, such legislation may havepre-pay an amount, which would earn interest at 7.5%, on their operations.monthly electric bills in 2009 and 2010, to be used to reduce electric rates in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed and Penelec also intend to file a generation procurement plan for 2011 and beyond with the PPUC later this year or early next year. Met-Ed and Penelec requested that the PPUC approve the Plan by mid-December 2008 and are currently awaiting a decision.

New Jersey (Applicable to JCP&L)

JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the accumulated deferred cost balance totaled approximately $264$210 million.

In accordance with an April 28, 2004 NJBPU order, JCP&L filed testimony on June 7, 2004 supporting continuation of the current level and duration of the funding of TMI-2 decommissioning costs by New Jersey customers without a reduction, termination or capping of the funding. On September 30, 2004, JCP&L filed an updated TMI-2 decommissioning study. This study resulted in an updated total decommissioning cost estimate of $729 million (in 2003 dollars) compared to the estimated $528 million (in 2003 dollars) from the prior 1995 decommissioning study. The DRA filed comments on February 28, 2005 requesting that decommissioning funding be suspended. On March 18, 2005, JCP&L filed a response to those comments. JCP&L responded to additional NJBPU staff discovery requests in May and November 2007 and also submitted comments in the proceeding in November 2007. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

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On August 1, 2005, the NJBPU established a proceeding to determine whether additional ratepayer protections are required at the state level in light of the repeal of the PUHCA pursuant to the EPACT. The NJBPU approved regulations effective October 2, 2006 that prevent a holding company that owns a gas or electric public utility from investing more than 25% of the combined assets of its utility and utility-related subsidiaries into businesses unrelated to the utility industry. These regulations are not expected to materially impact JCP&L. Also, in the same proceeding, the NJBPU Staff issued an additional draft proposal on March 31, 2006 addressing various issues including access to books and records, ring-fencing, cross subsidization, corporate governance and related matters. With the approval of the NJBPU Staff, the affected utilities jointly submitted an alternative proposal on June 1, 2006. The NJBPU Staff circulated revised drafts of the proposal to interested stakeholders in November 2006 and again in February 2007. On February 1, 2008, the NJBPU accepted proposed rules for publication in the New Jersey Register on March 17, 2008. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held on April 23, 2008 withand comments from interested parties due onwere submitted by May 16,19, 2008.

New Jersey statutes require that the state periodically undertake a planning process, known as the EMP, to address energy related issues including energy security, economic growth, and environmental impact. The EMP is to be developed with involvement of the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and is to be prepared by a Master Plan Committee, which is chaired by the NJBPU President and includes representatives of several State departments. In October 2006, the current EMP process was initiated through the creation of a number of working groups to obtain input from a broad range of interested stakeholders including utilities, environmental groups, customer groups, and major customers. In addition, public stakeholder meetings were held in 2006, 2007 and the fallfirst half of 2006 and in early 2007.

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2008.

On April 17, 2008, a draft EMP was released for public comment. The draftfinal EMP was issued on October 22, 2008 and establishes fourfive major goals:

·  maximize energy efficiency to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020;

·  reduce peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020 (amounting to about a 22% reduction in projected demand);2020;

·  meet 22.5%30% of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;

·  examine smart grid technology and develop additional cogeneration and other generation resources consistent with the state’s greenhouse gas targets; and

·  develop low carbon emitting, efficient power plantsinvest in innovative clean energy technologies and closebusinesses to stimulate the gap between the supply and demand for electricity.industry’s growth in New Jersey.

Following the public comment period which is expected to extend into July 2008, aThe final EMP will be issued to be followed by appropriate legislation and regulation as necessary. At this time, JCP&L cannot predict the outcome of this process nor determine the impact, if any, such legislation or regulation may have on its operations.

On February 13, 2007, the NJBPU Staff informally issued a draft proposal relating to changes to the regulations addressing electric distribution service reliability and quality standards. Meetings between the NJBPU Staff and interested stakeholders to discuss the proposal were held and additional, revised informal proposals were subsequently circulated by the Staff. On September 4, 2007, proposed regulations were published in the New Jersey Register, which proposal will be subsequently considered by the NJBPU following comments that were submitted in September and October 2007. Final regulations (effective upon publication) were published in the New Jersey Register March 17, 2008. Upon preliminary review of the new regulations, JCP&L does not expect a material impact on its operations.

FERC Matters (Applicable to FES and each of the Companies)Utilities)

Transmission Service between MISO and PJM

On November 18, 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate so-called “pancaking” ofmultiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered the MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as the Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment or “SECA”) during a 16-month transition period. The FERC issued orders in 2005 setting the SECA for hearing. The presiding judge issued an initial decision on August 10, 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision is subject to review and approval by the FERC. Briefs addressing the initial decision were filed on September 11, 2006 and October 20, 2006. A final order could be issued by the FERC by year-end 2008.  In the meantime, FirstEnergy affiliates have been negotiating and entering into settlement agreements with other parties in the second quarterdocket to mitigate the risk of 2008.lower transmission revenue collection associated with an adverse order.  On September 26, 2008, the MISO and PJM transmission owners filed a motion requesting that the FERC approve the pending settlements and act on the initial decision.

 
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PJM Transmission Rate Design

On January 31, 2005, certain PJM transmission owners made filings with the FERC pursuant to a settlement agreement previously approved by the FERC. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec were parties to that proceeding and joined in two of the filings. In the first filing, the settling transmission owners submitted a filing justifying continuation of their existing rate design within the PJM RTO. Hearings were held and numerous parties appeared and litigated various issues concerning PJM rate design; notably AEP, which proposed to create a "postage stamp", or average rate for all high voltage transmission facilities across PJM and a zonal transmission rate for facilities below 345 kV. This proposal would have the effect of shifting recovery of the costs of high voltage transmission lines to other transmission zones, including those where JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec serve load. On April 19, 2007, the FERC issued an order finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, the FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a “beneficiary pays” basis. The FERC found that PJM’s current beneficiary-pays cost allocation methodology is not sufficiently detailed and, in a related order that also was issued on April 19, 2007, directed that hearings be held for the purpose of establishing a just and reasonable cost allocation methodology for inclusion in PJM’s tariff.

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On May 18, 2007, certain parties filed for rehearing of the FERC’s April 19, 2007 order. On January 31, 2008, the requests for rehearing were denied. The FERC’s orders on PJM rate design will prevent the allocation of a portion of the revenue requirement of existing transmission facilities of other utilities to JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec. In addition, the FERC’s decision to allocate the cost of new 500 kV and above transmission facilities on a PJM-wide basis will reduce the costs of future transmission revenue recoveryto be recovered from the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec zones. A partial settlement agreement addressing the “beneficiary pays” methodology for below 500 kV facilities, but excluding the issue of allocating new facilities costs to merchant transmission entities, was filed on September 14, 2007. The agreement was supported by the FERC’s Trial Staff, and was certified by the Presiding Judge. The FERC’s action onJudge to the FERC. On July 29, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the settlement agreement is pending.subject to the submission of a compliance filing.  The compliance filing was submitted on August 29, 2008, and the FERC issued an order accepting the compliance filing on October 15, 2008.  The remaining merchant transmission cost allocation issues will proceed towere the subject of a hearing at the FERC in May 2008.  An initial decision was issued by the Presiding Judge on September 18, 2008.  PJM and FERC trial staff each filed a Brief on Exceptions to the initial decision on October 20, 2008.  Briefs Opposing Exceptions are due on November 10, 2008. On February 13,11, 2008, AEP appealed the FERC’s April 19, 2007 and January 31, 2008 orders to the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the PUCO and Dayton Power & Light have also appealed these orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals of these parties and others have been consolidated for argument in the Seventh Circuit.

Post Transition Period Rate Design

The FERC had directed MISO, PJM, and the respective transmission owners to make filings on or before August 1, 2007 to reevaluate transmission rate design within the MISO, and between MISO and PJM. On August 1, 2007, filings were made by MISO, PJM, and the vast majority of transmission owners, including FirstEnergy affiliates, which proposed to retain the existing transmission rate design. These filings were approved by the FERC on January 31, 2008. As a result of the FERC’s approval, the rates charged to FirstEnergy’s load-serving affiliates for transmission service over existing transmission facilities in MISO and PJM are unchanged. In a related filing, MISO and MISO transmission owners requested that the current MISO pricing for new transmission facilities that spreads 20% of the cost of new 345 kV and higher transmission facilities across the entire MISO footprint (known as the RECB methodology) be retained.

On September 17, 2007, AEP filed a complaint under Sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act seeking to have the entire transmission rate design and cost allocation methods used by MISO and PJM declared unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory, and to have the FERC fix a uniform regional transmission rate design and cost allocation method for the entire MISO and PJM “Super Region” that recovers the average cost of new and existing transmission facilities operated at voltages of 345 kV and above from all transmission customers. Lower voltage facilities would continue to be recovered in the local utility transmission rate zone through a license plate rate. AEP requested a refund effective October 1, 2007, or alternatively, February 1, 2008. On January 31, 2008, the FERC issued an order denying the complaint. The effect of this order is to prevent the shift of significant costs to the FirstEnergy zones in MISO and PJM. A rehearing request by AEP is pending before the FERC.

Distribution of MISO Network Service Revenues

Effective February 1, 2008, the MISO Transmission Owners Agreement provides for a change in the method of distributing transmission revenues among the transmission owners. MISO and a majority of the MISO transmission owners filed on December 3, 2007 to change the MISO tariff to clarify, for purposes of distributing network transmission revenue to the transmission owners, that all network transmission service revenues, whether collected by MISO or directly by the transmission owner, are included in the revenue distribution calculation.  This clarification was necessary because some network transmission service revenues are collected and retained by transmission owners in states where retail choice does not exist, and their “unbundled” retail load is currently exempt from MISO network service charges. The tariff changes filed with the FERC ensure that revenues collected by transmission owners from bundled load are taken into account in the revenue distribution calculation, and that transmission owners with bundled load do not collect more than their revenue requirements. Absent the changes, transmission owners, and ultimately their customers, with unbundled load or in retail choice states, such as ATSI, would subsidize transmission owners with bundled load, who would collect their revenue requirement from bundled load, plus share in revenues collected by MISO from unbundled customers. This would result in a large revenue shortfall for ATSI, which would eventually be passed on to customers in the form of higher transmission rates as calculated pursuant to ATSI’s Attachment O formula under the MISO tariff.

Numerous parties filed in support of the tariff changes, including the public service commissions of Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Ameren filed a protest on December 26, 2007, arguing that the December 3, 2007 filing violates the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement as well as an agreement among Ameren (Union Electric), MISO, and the Missouri Public Service Commission, which provides that Union Electric’s bundled load cannot be charged by MISO for network service. On February 2, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the tariff amendment subject to a minor compliance filing, which was made on March 3, 2008. This order ensures that ATSI will continue to receive transmission revenues from MISO equivalent to its transmission revenue requirement. A rehearing request by Ameren is pending before the FERC.

On February 1, 2008, MISO filed a request to continue using the existing revenue distribution methodology on an interim basis pending amendment of the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement. This request was accepted by the FERC on March 13, 2008. On that same day, MISO and the MISO transmission owners made a filing to amend the Transmission Owners’ Agreement to effectively continue the distribution of transmission revenues that was in effect prior to February 1, 2008. This matter is currently pending before the FERC.

 
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MISO Ancillary Services Market and Balancing Area Consolidation

MISO made a filing on September 14, 2007 to establish an ASM for regulation, spinning and supplemental reserves, to consolidate the existing 24 balancing areas within the MISO footprint, and to establish MISO as the NERC registered balancing authority for the region. This filingThese markets would permit load servinggenerators to sell, and load-serving entities to purchase, their operating reserve requirements in a competitive market. FES, CEI, OE, Penn and TE supportFirstEnergy supports the proposal to establish markets for Ancillary Services and consolidate existing balancing areas. On February 25, 2008, the FERC issued an order approving the ASM subject to certain compliance filings. MISO has since notifiedNumerous parties filed requests for rehearing on March 26, 2008. On June 23, 2008, the FERC issued an order granting in part and denying in part rehearing.

On February 29, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing setting forth MISO’s Readiness Advisor ASM and Consolidated Balancing Authority Initiative Verification plan and status and Real-Time Operations ASM Reversion plan. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On March 26, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 30-day directives in the February 25 order. Numerous parties submitted comments and protests on April 16, 2008. The FERC issued an order accepting the revisions pending further compliance on June 23, 2008. On April 25, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 60-day directives in the February 25 order. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On May 23, 2008, MISO submitted its amended Balancing Authority Agreement. On July 21, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the amended Balancing Authority Agreement and requiring a further compliance filing.  On August 19, 2008, MISO submitted its compliance filing to the FERC.  On July 25, 2008, MISO submitted another Readiness Certification.  The FERC has not yet acted on this submission.  MISO announced on August 26, 2008 that the startstartup of its ASMmarket is delayed until Septemberpostponed indefinitely.  MISO commits to make a filing giving at least sixty days notice of the new effective date. The latest announced effective date for market startup is January 6, 2009.

Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio

On May 29, 2008, TE filed with the FERC a proposed Notice of Cancellation effective midnight December 31, 2008, of the Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio. AMP-Ohio protested this filing. TE also filed a Petition for Declaratory Order seeking a FERC ruling, in the alternative if cancellation is not accepted, of TE's right to file for an increase in rates effective January 1, 2009, for power provided to AMP-Ohio under the Interconnection Agreement. AMP-Ohio filed a pleading agreeing that TE may seek an increase in rates, but arguing that any increase is limited to the cost of generation owned by TE affiliates. On August 18, 2008, the FERC issued an order that suspended the cancellation of the Agreement for five months, to become effective on June 1, 2009, and established expedited hearing procedures on issues raised in the filing and TE’s Petition for Declaratory Order. On October 14, 2008, the parties filed a settlement agreement and mutual notice of cancellation of the Interconnection Agreement effective midnight December 31, 2008.  Upon acceptance by the FERC, this filing will terminate the litigation and the Interconnection Agreement, among other effects.

Duquesne’s Request to Withdraw from PJM

On November 8, 2007, Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne) filed a request with the FERC to exit PJM and to join the MISO. In its filing, Duquesne asked the FERC to be relieved of certain capacity payment obligations to PJM for capacity auctions conducted prior to its departure from PJM, but covering service for planning periods through May 31, 2011. Duquesne asserted that its primary reason for exiting PJM is to avoid paying future obligations created by PJM’s forward capacity market. FirstEnergy believes that Duquesne’s filing did not identify or address numerous legal, financial or operational issues that are implicated or affected directly by Duquesne’s proposal. Consequently, FirstEnergy submitted responsive filings that, while conceding Duquesne’s rights to exit PJM, contested various aspects of Duquesne’s proposal. FirstEnergy particularly focused on Duquesne’s proposal that it be allowed to exit PJM without payment of its share of existing capacity market commitments. FirstEnergy also objected to Duquesne’s failure to address the firm transmission service requirements that would be necessary for FirstEnergy to continue to use the Beaver Valley Plant to meet existing commitments in the PJM capacity markets and to serve native load. Other market participants also submitted filings contesting Duquesne’s plans.

On January 17, 2008, the FERC conditionally approved Duquesne’s request to exit PJM. Among other conditions, the FERC obligated Duquesne zone load-serving entities to pay thetheir PJM capacity obligations through May 31, 2011. The FERC’s order took notice of the numerous transmission and other issues raised by FES and the Companies and other parties to the proceeding, but did not provide any responsive rulings or other guidance. Rather, the FERC ordered Duquesne to make a compliance filing in forty-five days detailing how Duquesne will satisfy its obligations under the PJM Transmission Owners’ Agreement. The FERC likewise directed the MISO to submit detailed plans to integrate Duquesne into the MISO. Finally, the FERC directed MISO and PJM to work together to resolve the substantive and procedural issues implicated by Duquesne’s transition into the MISO. These issues remain unresolved. If Duquesne satisfies all of the obligations set by the FERC, its planned transition date is October 9, 2008.

On March 18, 2008, the PJM Power Providers Group filed a request for emergency clarification regarding whether Duquesne-zone generators (including the Beaver Valley Plant) could participateFirstEnergy desires to continue to use its Duquesne zone generation resources to serve load in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year. FirstEnergy and the other Duquesne-zone generators filed responsive pleadings.PJM. On April 18, 2008, the FERC issued its Order on Motion for Emergency Clarification whereinon whether Duquesne-zone generators could participate in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 planning year. In the order, the FERC ruled that although the status of the Duquesne-zone generators will change to “External Resource” upon Duquesne’s exit from PJM, these generators cancould contract with PJM for the transmission reservations necessary to participate in the May 2008 auction. FirstEnergy has complied with the FERC’s order by obtaining executed transmission service agreements for firm point-to-point transmission service for the 2011-2012 delivery year and, as such, FirstEnergy satisfiessatisfied the criteria to bid the Beaver Valley Plant into the May 2008 RPM auction. Notwithstanding these events, on April

The FERC also directed MISO and PJM to resolve the substantive and procedural issues associated with Duquesne’s transition into MISO. As directed, PJM filed thirteen load-serving entity Capacity Payment Agreements and a Capacity Portability Agreement with the FERC. The Capacity Payment Agreements addressed Duquesne Zone load-serving entity obligations through May 31, 2011 with regards to RPM Capacity while the Capacity Portability Agreement addressed operational issues associated with the portability of such capacity. On September 30, 2008, the FERC approved both agreements, subject to conditions, taking notice of many operational and procedural issues brought forth by FirstEnergy and other market participants.

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Several issues surrounding Duquesne’s transition into MISO continue to be contested at the FERC. Specifically, Duquesne’s obligation to pay for transmission expansion costs allocated to the Duquesne zone when they were a member of PJM, and other issues in which market participants wish to be held harmless by Duquesne’s transition. FirstEnergy filed for rehearing on these issues on October 3, 2008. Duquesne’s transition into MISO is also contingent upon the start of MISO’s ancillary services market and consolidation of its balancing authorities, currently scheduled for January 6, 2009.

Complaint against PJM RPM Auction

On May 1,30, 2008, certain membersa group of PJM load-serving entities, state commissions, consumer advocates, and trade associations (referred to collectively as the RPM Buyers) filed a complaint at the FERC against PJM alleging that three of the four transitional RPM auctions yielded prices that are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act. Most of the parties comprising the RPM Buyers group were parties to the settlement approved by the FERC that established the RPM. In the complaint, the RPM Buyers request that the total projected payments to RPM sellers for the three auctions at issue be materially reduced. On July 11, 2008, PJM Power Providers Group filed further pleadingsits answer to the complaint, in which it denied the allegation that the rates are unjust and unreasonable. Also on these issues. On May 2, 2008,that date, FirstEnergy filed a responsive pleading. FirstEnergy is participatingmotion to intervene. 

On September 19, 2008, the FERC denied the RPM Buyers complaint. However, the FERC did grant the RPM Buyers request for a technical conference to review aspects of the RPM. The FERC also ordered PJM to file on or before December 15, 2008, a report on its progress on contemplating adjustments to the RPM as suggested by the Brattle Group in its report reviewing the MayRPM. The technical conference will take place in February, 2009. On October 20, 2008, the RPM auctionBuyers filed a request for rehearing of the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year.FERC’s September 19, 2008 order.

MISO Resource Adequacy Proposal

MISO made a filing on December 28, 2007 that would create an enforceable planning reserve requirement in the MISO tariff for load servingload-serving entities such as the Ohio Companies, Penn Power, and FES. This requirement is proposed to become effective for the planning year beginning June 1, 2009. The filing would permit MISO to establish the reserve margin requirement for load servingload-serving entities based upon a one day loss of load in ten years standard, unless the state utility regulatory agency establishes a different planning reserve for load servingload-serving entities in its state. FirstEnergy generally supportsbelieves the proposal as it promotes a mechanism that will result in long-term commitments from both load-serving entities and resources, including both generation and demand side resources that are necessary for reliable resource adequacy and planning in the MISO footprint. Comments on the filing were filed on January 28, 2008. The FERC conditionally approved MISO’s Resource Adequacy proposal on March 26, 2008.2008, requiring MISO to submit to further compliance filings. Rehearing requests are pending on the FERC’s March 26 Order. AOn May 27, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing to address issues associated with planning reserve margins. On June 17, 2008, various parties submitted comments and protests to MISO’s compliance filing. FirstEnergy submitted comments identifying specific issues that must be clarified and addressed. On June 25, 2008, MISO submitted a second compliance filing establishing the enforcement mechanism for the reserve margin requirement which establishes deficiency payments for load-serving entities that do not meet the resource adequacy requirements. Numerous parties, including FirstEnergy, protested this filing.   On October 20, 2008, the FERC issued three orders essentially permitting the MISO Resource Adequacy program to proceed with some modifications.  First, the FERC accepted MISO's financial settlement approach for enforcement of Resource Adequacy subject to a compliance filing modifying the cost of new entry penalty. Second, the FERC conditionally accepted MISO's compliance filing on the qualifications for purchase power agreements to be capacity resources, load forecasting, loss of load expectation, and planning reserve zones. Additional compliance filings were directed on accreditation of load modifying resources and price responsive demand. Finally, the FERC largely denied rehearing of its March 26 order with the exception of issues related to behind the meter resources and certain ministerial matters. Issuance of these orders is due on or beforenot expected to delay the June 25, 2008.

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1, 2009 start date for MISO Resource Adequacy.

Organized Wholesale Power Markets

On February 21, 2008, theThe FERC issued a NOPR through which it proposesfinal rule on October 17, 2008, amending its regulations to adopt new rules that it states will “improve operations inthe operation of organized wholesale electric markets boost competition and bring additional benefits to consumers.” The proposed rule addressesin the areas of: (1) demand response and market pricing during periods of operating reserve shortages,shortage; (2) long-term power contracting,contracting; (3) market-monitoring policies,policies; and (4) the responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to their customers and other stakeholders.”  The RTOs and ISOs were directed to submit amendments to their respective tariffs to address these market operation improvements.  The final rule directs RTOs to adopt market rules permitting prices to increase during periods of supply shortages and to permit enhanced participation by demand response resources.  It also codifies and defines for the first time the roles and duties of independent market monitors within RTOs.  Finally, it adopts requirements for enhanced access by stakeholders to RTO boards of directors.  RTOs are directed to make compliance filings six months from the effective date of the final rule.  The final rule is not expected to have any material effect on FirstEnergy's operations within MISO and customers.PJM.

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FES Sales to Affiliates

On October 24, 2008, FES, on its own behalf and on behalf of its generation-controlling subsidiaries, filed an application with the FERC seeking a waiver of the affiliate sales restrictions between FES and the Ohio Companies. The purpose of the waiver is to ensure that FES will be able to continue supplying a material portion of the electric load requirements of the Ohio Companies do not believe thatin January 2009 pursuant to either an ESP or MRO as filed with the proposed rule will havePUCO. FES previously obtained a significant impact on their operations. Comments onsimilar waiver for electricity sales to its affiliates in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.  A ruling by the NOPR were filed on April 18,FERC is expected the week of December 15, 2008.

On October 31, 2008, FES executed a Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement with Met-Ed, Penelec, and The Waverly Power and Light Company (Waverly) effective November 1, 2008.  The Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement limits the amount of capacity and energy required to be supplied by FES in 2009 and 2010 to roughly two-thirds of these affiliates’ power supply requirements. Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly have committed resources in place for the balance of their expected power supply during 2009 and 2010.  Under the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly are responsible for obtaining additional power supply requirements created by the default or failure of supply of their committed resources. Prices for the power provided by FES were not changed in the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement.
Environmental Matters

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FES and the Companies with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. The effects of compliance on FES and the Companies with regard to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on their earnings and competitive position to the extent that they compete with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations. FES and the Companies estimateestimates capital expenditures for environmental compliance of approximately $1.4 billion for the period 2008-2012.

FES and the Companies accrue environmental liabilities only when they conclude that it is probable that they have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. Unasserted claims are reflected in FES’ and the Companies’ determination of environmental liabilities and are accrued in the period that they become both probable and reasonably estimable.

Clean Air Act Compliance (Applicable to FES)

FES is required to meet federally-approved SO2 emissions regulations. Violations of such regulations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties of up to $32,500 for each day the unit is in violation. The EPA has an interim enforcement policy for SO2 regulations in Ohio that allows for compliance based on a 30-day averaging period. FES believes it is currently in compliance with this policy, but cannot predict what action the EPA may take in the future with respect to the interim enforcement policy.

The EPA Region 5 issued a Finding of Violation and NOV to the Bay Shore Power Plant dated June 15, 2006, alleging violations to various sections of the CAA. FES has disputed those alleged violations based on its CAA permit, the Ohio SIP and other information provided to the EPA at an August 2006 meeting with the EPA. The EPA has several enforcement options (administrative compliance order, administrative penalty order, and/or judicial, civil or criminal action) and has indicated that such option may depend on the time needed to achieve and demonstrate compliance with the rules alleged to have been violated. On June 5, 2007, the EPA requested another meeting to discuss “an appropriate compliance program” and a disagreement regarding the opacity limitemission limits applicable to the common stack for Bay Shore Units 2, 3 and 4.

FES complies with SO2 reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by burning lower-sulfur fuel, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants, and/or using emission allowances. NOX reductions required by the 1990 Amendments are being achieved through combustion controls and the generation of more electricity at lower-emitting plants. In September 1998, the EPA finalized regulations requiring additional NOX reductions at FES' facilities. The EPA's NOX Transport Rule imposes uniform reductions of NOX emissions (an approximate 85% reduction in utility plant NOX emissions from projected 2007 emissions) across a region of nineteen states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on a conclusion that such NOX emissions are contributing significantly to ozone levels in the eastern United States. FES believes its facilities are also complying with the NOX budgets established under SIPs through combustion controls and post-combustion controls, including Selective Catalytic Reduction and SNCR systems, and/or using emission allowances.

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In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, is referred to as the NSR cases.  OE’s and Penn’s settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation was approved by the Court on July 11, 2005. This settlement agreement, in the form of a consent decree, requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above. On September 8, 2008, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the DOJ sent a letter to OE regarding its view that the company was not in compliance with the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because the installation of an SNCR at Eastlake Unit 5 was not completed by December 31, 2006. However, the DOJ acknowledged that stipulated penalties could not apply under the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because Eastlake Unit 5 was idled on December 31, 2006 pending installation of the SNCR and advised that it had exercised its discretion not to seek any other penalties for this alleged non-compliance. OE disputed the DOJ's interpretation of the consent decree in a letter dated September 22, 2008. Although the Eastlake Unit 5 issue is no longer active, OE filed a dispute resolution petition on October 23, 2008, with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, due to potential impacts on its compliance decisions with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5. Under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree, an election to repower by December 31, 2012, install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by December 31, 2010, or permanently shut down those units by December 31, 2010, is due no later than December 31, 2008. Although FirstEnergy will meet the December 31, 2008 deadline for making an election, one potential compliance option, should FGD be elected, would be to idle Burger Units 4 and 5 on December 31, 2010 pending completion of the FGD installation. Thus, OE is seeking a determination by the Court whether this approach is indeed in compliance with the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. The Court has scheduled a hearing on OE’s dispute resolution petition for November 17, 2008. The outcome of this dispute resolution process could have an impact on the option FirstEnergy ultimately elects with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

On May 22, 2007, FirstEnergy and FGCO received a notice letter, required 60 days prior to the filing of a citizen suit under the federal CAA, alleging violations of air pollution laws at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, including opacity limitations. Prior to the receipt of this notice, the Plant was subject to a Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning opacity emissions under which efforts to achieve compliance with the applicable laws will continue. On October 18, 2007, PennFuture filed a complaint, joined by three of its members, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On January 11, 2008, FirstEnergy filed a motion to dismiss claims alleging a public nuisance. On April 24, 2008, the Court denied the motion to dismiss, but also ruled that monetary damages could not be recovered under the public nuisance claim.

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In July 2008, three additional complaints were filed against FGCO in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. In addition to seeking damages, two of the complaints seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner”, one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint, seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. On October 14, 2008, the Court granted FGCO’s motion to consolidate discovery for all four complaints pending against the Bruce Mansfield Plant. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

On December 18, 2007, the state of New Jersey filed a CAA citizen suit alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against Reliant (the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999), GPU, Inc. and Met-Ed.  Specifically, New Jersey alleges that "modifications" at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 1995 without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program, and seeks injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. On March 14, 2008, Met-Ed filed a motion to dismiss the citizen suit claims against it and a stipulation in which the parties agreed that GPU, Inc. should be dismissed from this case. On March 26, 2008, GPU, Inc. was dismissed by the United States District Court. Although it remains liable for civilThe scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy is disputed.  By letter dated October 1, 2008, New Jersey informed the Court of its intent to file an amended complaint. Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

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On June 11, 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to MEW alleging that "modifications" at the Homer City Power Station occurred since 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR or criminal penaltiespermitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. MEW is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner (along with New York State Electric and fines that may be assessed relating to eventsGas Company) and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999.  The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from MEW is disputed.  Penelec is unable to predict the saleoutcome of this matter.

On May 16, 2008, FGCO received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the Portland Station in 1999, Met-EdCAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. On July 10, 2008, FGCO and the EPA entered into an ACO modifying that request and setting forth a schedule for FGCO’s response. FGCO complied with the modified schedule and otherwise intends to fully comply with the ACO, but, at this time, is indemnified by Sithe Energy against any other liability arising underunable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On August 18, 2008, FirstEnergy received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Avon Lake and Niles generating plants, as well as a copy of a nearly identical request directed to the current owner, Reliant Energy, to allow the EPA to determine whether it arises outthese generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of pre-1999 or post-1999 events.the CAA. FirstEnergy intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information request, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Applicable to FES)

In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAIR covering a total of 28 states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on proposed findings that air emissions from 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia significantly contribute to non-attainment of the NAAQS for fine particles and/or the "8-hour" ozone NAAQS in other states. CAIR requireswould have required reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions in two phases (Phase I in 2009 for NOX, 2010 for SO2 and Phase II in 2015 for both NOX and SO2). FES' Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania fossil generation facilities will be subject to caps on SO2 and NOX emissions. According to the EPA, SO2 emissions will be reduced by 45% (from 2003 levels) by 2010 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 73% (from 2003 levels) by 2015,, ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to just 2.5 million tons annually.annually and NOX emissions will be reduced by 53% (from 2003 levels) by 2009 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 61% (from 2003 levels) by 2015, achieving a regional NOX cap ofto just 1.3 million tons annually. CAIR has beenwas challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.Columbia and on July 11, 2008, the Court vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” The Court ruling also vacated the CAIR regional cap and trade requirements for SO2 and NOX, which is currently not expected to, but may, materially impair the value of emissions allowances obtained for future compliance. On September 24, 2008, the EPA, utility, mining and certain environmental advocacy organizations petitioned the Court for a rehearing to reconsider its ruling vacating CAIR.  On October 21, 2008, the Court ordered the parties who appealed CAIR to file responses to the rehearing petitions by November 5, 2008 and directed them to address (1) whether any party is seeking vacatur of CAIR and (2) whether the Court should stay its vacatur of CAIR until EPA promulgates a revised rule. The future cost of compliance with these regulations may be substantial and maywill depend on the outcome of this litigation and how CAIR is ultimately implemented.Court’s ruling on rehearing, as well as the action taken by the EPA or Congress in response to the Court’s ruling.

Mercury Emissions (Applicable to FES)

In December 2000, the EPA announced it would proceed with the development of regulations regarding hazardous air pollutants from electric power plants, identifying mercury as the hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAMR, which provides a cap-and-trade program to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in two phases; initially, capping national mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 (as a "co-benefit" from implementation of SO2 and NOX emission caps under the EPA's CAIR program) and 15 tons per year by 2018. Several states and environmental groups appealed the CAMR to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 8, 2008, the courtCourt vacated the CAMR, ruling that the EPA failed to take the necessary steps to “de-list” coal-fired power plants from its hazardous air pollutant program and, therefore, could not promulgate a cap and tradecap-and-trade program. The EPA must now seek further judicialpetitioned for rehearing by the entire Court, which denied the petition on May 20, 2008.  On October 17, 2008, the EPA (and an industry group) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of thatthe Court’s ruling vacating CAMR. The Supreme Court could grant the EPA’s petition and alter some or all of the lower Court’s decision, or the EPA could take regulatory action to promulgate new mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with mercury regulations may be substantial and will depend on the action taken by the EPA and on how they are ultimately implemented.

Pennsylvania has submitted a new mercury rule for EPA approval that does not provide a cap-and-trade approach as in the CAMR, but rather follows a command-and-control approach imposing emission limits on individual sources. It is anticipated that compliance with these regulations, if approved by the EPA and implemented, would not require the addition of mercury controls at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, FES’ only Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, until 2015, if at all.

W. H. Sammis Plant (Applicable to FES, OE and Penn)

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W.H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, are referred to as the NSR cases.

On March 18, 2005, OE and Penn announced that they had reached a settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation. This settlement agreement, which is in the form of a consent decree, was approved by the court on July 11, 2005, and requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Consequently, if FirstEnergy fails to install such pollution control devices, for any reason, including, but not limited to, the failure of any third-party contractor to timely meet its delivery obligations for such devices, FGCO, OE and Penn could be exposed to penalties under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for FGCO for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above.

 
90107

 

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.   The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

Climate Change (Applicable to FES)

In December 1997, delegates to the United Nations' climate summit in Japan adopted an agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG emitted by developed countries by 2012. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 but it failed to receive the two-thirds vote requiredwas never submitted for ratification by the United States Senate. However, the Bush administration has committed the United States to a voluntary climate change strategy to reduce domestic GHG intensity – the ratio of emissions to economic output – by 18% through 2012. Also, in an April 16, 2008 speech, President Bush set a policy goal of stopping the growth of GHG emissions by 2025, as the next step beyond the 2012 strategy. In addition, the EPACT established a Committee on Climate Change Technology to coordinate federal climate change activities and promote the development and deployment of GHG reducing technologies.

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level.  At the international level, efforts to reach a new global agreement to reduce GHG emissions post-2012 have begun with the Bali Roadmap, which outlines a two-year process designed to lead to an agreement in 2009. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the Senate EnvironmentalEnvironment and Public Works Committees haveCommittee has passed one such bill. State activities, primarily the northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court found that the EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles as “air pollutants” under the CAA. Although this decision did not address CO2 emissions from electric generating plants, the EPA has similar authority under the CAA to regulate “air pollutants” from those and other facilities. On July 11, 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, soliciting input from the public on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of regulation of CO2 under the CAA.

FES cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions could require significant capital and other expenditures. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FES is lower than many regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act (Applicable to FES)

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FES’FES' plants. In addition, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have water quality standards applicable to FES' operations. As provided in the Clean Water Act, authority to grant federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water discharge permits can be assumed by a state. Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have assumed such authority.

On September 7, 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing large electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). On January 26, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded portions of the rulemaking dealing with impingement mortality and entrainment back to the EPA for further rulemaking and eliminated the restoration option from the EPA’s regulations. On July 9, 2007, the EPA suspended this rule, noting that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment (BPJ) to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. On April 14, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari to review certain aspectsone significant aspect of the Second Circuit’s decision. FirstEnergyCircuit Court’s opinion which is whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures.  Oral argument before the Supreme Court is scheduled for December 2, 2008. FES is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness. Depending on the results of such studies, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of the Second Circuit’s decision, the EPA’s further rulemaking and any action taken by the states exercising BPJ,best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.

91



Regulation of Hazardous Waste (Applicable to FES and each of the Companies)Utilities)

As a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated. Certain fossil-fuel combustion waste products, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation. The EPA subsequently determined that regulation of coal ash as a hazardous waste is unnecessary. In April 2000, the EPA announced that it will develop national standards regulating disposal of coal ash under its authority to regulate non-hazardous waste.

108



Under NRC regulations, FES and the CompaniesFirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities.  As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FES and the CompaniesFirstEnergy had approximately $2.0$1.9 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As part of the application to the NRC to transfer the ownership of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Perry to NGC in 2005, FirstEnergy agreed to contribute another $80 million to these trusts by 2010. Consistent with NRC guidance, utilizing a “real” rate of return on these funds of approximately 2% over inflation, these trusts are expected to exceed the minimum decommissioning funding requirements set by the NRC. Conservatively, these estimates do not include any rate of return that the trusts may earn over the 20-year plant useful life extensions that FirstEnergy and FES (and Exelon for TMI-1 as it relates to the timing of the decommissioning of TMI-2) seeks for these facilities.

The CompaniesUtilities have been named as PRPs at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all PRPs for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Therefore, environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2008, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Companies'Utilities' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $92$94 million (JCP&L - $65$68 million, TE - $1 million, CEI - $1 million and FirstEnergy Corp. - $25$24 million) have been accrued through March 31,September 30, 2008. Included in the total for JCP&L are accrued liabilities of approximately $56$57 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants in New Jersey;Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.

Other Legal Proceedings

Power Outages and Related Litigation (Applicable to JCP&L)

In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L's territory. In an investigation into the causes of the outages and the reliability of the transmission and distribution systems of all four of New Jersey’s electric utilities, the NJBPU concluded that there was not a prima facie case demonstrating that, overall, JCP&L provided unsafe, inadequate or improper service to its customers. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages arising from the July 1999 service interruptions in the JCP&L territory.

In August 2002, the trial courtCourt granted partial summary judgment to JCP&L and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and strict product liability. In November 2003, the trial courtCourt granted JCP&L's motion to decertify the class and denied plaintiffs' motion to permit into evidence their class-wide damage model indicating damages in excess of $50 million. These class decertification and damage rulings were appealed to the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division issued a decision in July 2004, affirming the decertification of the originally certified class, but remanding for certification of a class limited to those customers directly impacted by the outages of JCP&L transformers in Red Bank, NJ, based on a common incident involving the failure of the bushings of two large transformers in the Red Bank substation resulting in planned and unplanned outages in the area during a 2-3 day period. In 2005, JCP&L renewed its motion to decertify the class based on a very limited number of class members who incurred damages and also filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, breach of contract and punitive damages. In July 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the punitive damage claim and again decertified the class based on the fact that a vast majority of the class members did not suffer damages and those that did would be more appropriately addressed in individual actions. Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the New Jersey Appellate Division which, in March 2007, reversed the decertification of the Red Bank class and remanded this matter back to the Trial Court to allow plaintiffs sufficient time to establish a damage model or individual proof of damages. JCP&L filed a petition for allowance of an appeal of the Appellate Division ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court which was denied in May 2007. Proceedings are continuing in the Superior Court and a case management conference with the presiding Judge is scheduled forwas held on June 13, 2008.  At that conference, the plaintiffs stated their intent to drop their efforts to create a class-wide damage model and, instead of dismissing the class action, expressed their desire for a bifurcated trial on liability and damages. The judge directed the plaintiffs to indicate, on or before August 22, 2008, how they intend to proceed under this scenario.  Thereafter, the judge expects to hold another pretrial conference to address plaintiffs' proposed procedure. JCP&L has received the plaintiffs’ proposed plan of action, and intends to file its objection to the proposed plan, and also file a renewed motion to decertify the class. JCP&L is defending this class action but is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.outcome. No liability has been accrued as of March 31,September 30, 2008.

 
92109

 


Nuclear Plant Matters (Applicable to FES)

On May 14, 2007, the Office of Enforcement of the NRC issued a DFI to FENOC, following FENOC’s reply to an April 2, 2007 NRC request for information about two reports prepared by expert witnesses for an insurance arbitration (the insurance claim was subsequently withdrawn by FirstEnergy in December 2007) related to Davis-Besse. The NRC indicated that this information was needed for the NRC “to determine whether an Order or other action should be taken pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, to provide reasonable assurance that FENOC will continue to operate its licensed facilities in accordance with the terms of its licenses and the Commission’s regulations.” FENOC was directed to submit the information to the NRC within 30 days. On June 13, 2007, FENOC filed a response to the NRC’s DFI reaffirming that it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes and omissions leading up to the damage to the reactor vessel head and that it remains committed to operating Davis-Besse and FirstEnergy’s other nuclear plants safely and responsibly. FENOC submitted a supplemental response clarifying certain aspects of the DFI response to the NRC on July 16, 2007. On August 15, 2007, the NRC issued a confirmatory order imposing these commitments. FENOC must inform the NRC’s Office of Enforcement after it completes the key commitments embodied in the NRC’s order. FENOC has conducted the employee training required by the confirmatory order and a consultant has performed follow-up reviews to ensure the effectiveness of that training.  The NRC continues to monitor FENOC’s compliance with theseall the commitments made in the confirmatory order.

In August 2007, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC to renew the operating licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) for an additional 20 years. The NRC is subjectrequired by statute to futureprovide an opportunity for members of the public to request a hearing on the application. No members of the public, however, requested a hearing on the Beaver Valley license renewal application. On September 24, 2008, the NRC review.issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Beaver Valley. FENOC will continue to work with the NRC Staff as it completes its environmental and technical reviews of the license renewal application, and expects to obtain renewed licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station in 2009. If renewed licenses are issued by the NRC, the Beaver Valley Power Station’s licenses would be extended until 2036 and 2047 for Units 1 and 2, respectively.

Other Legal Matters (Applicable to OE, JCP&L and FES)

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy's normal business operations pending against FirstEnergyFES and its subsidiaries.the Utilities. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.

On August 22, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against OE in Jefferson County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial based on claims of negligence and eight other tort counts alleging damages from W.H. Sammis Plant air emissions. The two named plaintiffs are also seeking injunctive relief to eliminate harmful emissions and repair property damage and the institution of a medical monitoring program for class members. On April 5, 2007, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ request to certify this case as a class action and, accordingly, did not appoint the plaintiffs as class representatives or their counsel as class counsel. On July 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ counsel voluntarily withdrew their request for reconsideration of the April 5, 2007 Court order denying class certification and the Court heard oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, which OE opposed. On August 2, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint. The plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s denial of the motion for certification as a class action and motion to amend their complaint.complaint and oral argument was held on November 5, 2008.

JCP&L's bargaining unit employees filed a grievance challenging JCP&L's 2002 call-out procedure that required bargaining unit employees to respond to emergency power outages. On May 20, 2004, an arbitration panel concluded that the call-out procedure violated the parties' collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the June 1, 2005 hearing, the arbitration panel decided not to hear testimony on damages and closed the proceedings. On September 9, 2005, the arbitration panel issued an opinion to award approximately $16 million to the bargaining unit employees. On February 6, 2006, a federal district courtCourt granted a union motion to dismiss, as premature, a JCP&L appeal of the award filed on October 18, 2005. A final order identifying the individual damage amounts was issued on October 31, 2007. The award appeal process was initiated. The union filed a motion with the federal courtCourt to confirm the award and JCP&L filed its answer and counterclaim to vacate the award on December 31, 2007. JCP&L and the union filed briefs in June and July of 2008 and oral arguments were held in the fall. The court held a scheduling conference in April 2008 where it set a briefing schedule with all briefsCourt has yet to be concluded by July 2008.render its decision. JCP&L recognized a liability for the potential $16 million award in 2005.

The union employees at the Bruce Mansfield Plant have been working without a labor contract since February 15, 2008. The parties are continuing to bargain with the assistance of a federal mediator. FirstEnergyFES has a strike mitigation plan ready in the event of a strike.

FirstEnergy accruesFES and the Utilities accrue legal liabilities only when it concludesthey conclude that it is probable that it hasthey have an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiariesFES and the Utilities have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries'their financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 
93110

 


New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (Applicable to FES and each of the Companies)Utilities)

SFAS 141(R) – “Business Combinations”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), whichwhich: (i) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; (ii) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) attempts to reduce the complexity of existing GAAP related to business combinations. The Standard includes both core principles and pertinent application guidance, eliminating the need for numerous EITF issues and other interpretative guidance. SFAS 141(R) will affect business combinations entered into by FES or any of the CompaniesFirstEnergy that close after January 1, 2009. In addition, the Standard also affects the accounting for changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties made after January 1, 2009, that were established as part of a business combination prior to the implementation of this Standard. FESUnder SFAS 141(R), adjustments to the acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position balances occurring outside the Companies are currently evaluating themeasurement period will be recorded as a component of income tax expense, rather than goodwill. The impact of adoptingFirstEnergy’s application of this Standard on their financial statements.in periods after implementation will be dependent upon acquisitions at that time.

SFAS 160 - “Noncontrolling“Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on FES’ or the Companies’Utilities’ financial statements.

 SFAS 161 - “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161 whichthat enhances the current disclosure framework for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Statement requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. This disclosure better conveys the purpose of derivative use in terms of the risks that the entity is intending to manage. The FASB believes disclosingthat additional required disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format is designed towill provide a more complete picture of the location in an entity’s financial statements of both the derivative positions existing at period end and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. Disclosing information about credit-risk-related contingent features is designed to provide information on the potential effect on an entity’s liquidity from using derivatives. Finally, thisThis Statement also requires cross-referencing within the footnotes which is intended to help users of financial statements locate important information about derivative instruments. The Statement is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FES and the Companies are currently evaluating the impact of adoptingexpects this Standard on their financial statements.to increase its disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.


 
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COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company that holds, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common stock of its principal subsidiaries: OE, CEI, TE, Penn (a wholly owned subsidiary of OE), ATSI, JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, FENOC, FES and its subsidiaries FGCO and NGC, and FESC.

FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries follow GAAP and comply with the regulations, orders, policies and practices prescribed by the SEC, the FERC and, as applicable, the PUCO, the PPUC and the NJBPU. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not indicative of results of operations for any future period.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for FirstEnergy, FES and the Companies.Utilities. The consolidated unaudited financial statements of FirstEnergy, FES and each of the CompaniesUtilities reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to fairly present results of operations for the interim periods. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms.

FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries over which they exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which they have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. FirstEnergy consolidates a VIE (see Note 8)9) when it is determined to be the VIE's primary beneficiary. Investments in non-consolidated affiliates over which FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control (20-50% owned companies, joint ventures and partnerships) follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the percentage share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The consolidated financial statements as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their report (dated May 7,November 6, 2008) is included herein. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

2.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share of common stock is computed using the weighted average of actual common shares outstanding during the respective period as the denominator. The denominator for diluted earnings per share of common stock reflects the weighted average of common shares outstanding plus the potential additional common shares that could result if dilutive securities and other agreements to issue common stock were exercised. The pool of stock-based compensation tax benefits is calculated in accordance with SFAS 123(R). On March 2, 2007, FirstEnergy repurchased approximately 14.4 million shares, or 4.5%, of its outstanding common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program at an initial price of approximately $900 million. A final purchase price adjustment of $51 million was settled in cash on December 13, 2007. The following table reconciles basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock:


Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Earnings per Share of Common Stock 2008 2007 
 
(In millions, except
 per share amounts)
Net income $276 $290 
        
Average shares of common stock outstanding – Basic  304  314 
Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and awards  3  2 
Average shares of common stock outstanding – Dilutive  307  316 
        
Basic earnings per share of common stock $0.91 $0.92 
Diluted earnings per share of common stock $0.90 $0.92 


 
95112

 


  Three Months Nine Months 
  
Ended September 30
 
Ended September 30
 
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share 2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions, except per share amounts) 
              
Net income $471 $413 $1,010 $1,041 
              
Average shares of common stock outstanding – Basic  304  304  304  307 
Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and awards  3  3  3  4 
Average shares of common stock outstanding – Dilutive  307  307  307  311 
              
Basic earnings per share $1.55 $1.36 $3.32 $3.39 
Diluted earnings per share $1.54 $1.34 $3.29 $3.35 

3. GOODWILL

In a business combination, the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Based on the guidance provided by SFAS 142, FirstEnergy evaluates its goodwill for impairment at least annually and more frequently as indicators of impairment arise. In accordance with the accounting standard, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), the goodwill is tested for impairment. If impairment is indicated, FirstEnergy recognizes a loss – calculated as the difference between the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill and the carrying value of the goodwill.

FirstEnergy's 2008 annual review was completed in the third quarter of 2008 with no impairment indicated. As discussed in Note 12(B), the Ohio Companies filed a comprehensive ESP and MRO with the PUCO on July 31, 2008. The annual goodwill impairment analysis assumed management's best estimate of the outcome of those filings. There was no impairment indicated for FirstEnergy and the Ohio Companies based on a probability-weighted outcome of the ESP and MRO proceedings. If the PUCO’s final decision authorizes less revenue recovery than the amounts assumed, an additional impairment analysis would be performed at that time that could result in future goodwill impairment.

FirstEnergy's goodwill primarily relates to its energy delivery services segment. In the first and third quarters of 2008, FirstEnergy adjusted goodwill by $1 million and $23 million, respectively, of the former GPU companies due to the realization of tax benefits that had been reserved under purchase accounting. The following tables reconcile changes to goodwill for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Three Months Ended
 
FirstEnergy
 
FES
 
CEI
 
TE
 
JCP&L
 
Met-Ed
 
Penelec
 
  (In millions) 
Balance as of July 1, 2008
 
$
5,606
 
$
24
 
$
1,689
 
$
501
 
$
1,826
 
$
424
 
$
778
 
Adjustments related to GPU acquisition
  
(23
)
 -  
-
  
-
  
(11
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
Balance as of September 30, 2008
 
$
5,583
 
$
24
 
$
1,689
 
$
501
 
$
1,815
 
$
419
 
$
771
 

Nine Months Ended
 
FirstEnergy
 
FES
 
CEI
 
TE
 
JCP&L
 
Met-Ed
 
Penelec
 
  
(In millions)
 
Balance as of January 1, 2008
 
$
5,607
 
$
24
 
$
1,689
 
$
501
 
$
1,826
 
$
425
 
$
778
 
Adjustments related to GPU acquisition
  
(24
)
 -  
-
  
-
  
(11
)
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
Balance as of September 30, 2008
 
$
5,583
 
$
24
 
$
1,689
 
$
501
 
$
1,815
 
$
419
 
$
771
 


4.  DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On March 7, 2008, FirstEnergy sold certain telecommunication assets, resulting in a net after-tax gain of $19.3 million. As a result of the sale, FirstEnergy adjusted goodwill by $1 million for the former GPU companies due to the realization of tax benefits that had been reserved in purchase accounting. The sale of assets did not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued operations as of March 31,September 30, 2008.

4.5.  FAIR VALUE MEASURES

Effective January 1, 2008, FirstEnergy adopted SFAS 157, which provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and, among other things, requires enhanced disclosures about assets and liabilities recognized at fair value. FirstEnergy also adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008, which provides the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. FirstEnergy has analyzed its financial assets and financial liabilities within the scope of SFAS 159 and, as of March 31,September 30, 2008, has elected not to record eligible assets and liabilities at fair value.

113



As defined in SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by SFAS 157 are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those where transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. FirstEnergy’s Level 1 assets and liabilities primarily consist of exchange-traded derivatives and equity securities listed on active exchanges that are held in various trusts.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are either directly or indirectly observable in the market as of the reporting date, other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1. FirstEnergy’s Level 2 consistsassets and liabilities consist primarily of investments in debt securities held in various trusts and commodity forwards. Additionally, Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies based on assumptions that are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded derivatives such as forwards and certain interest rate swaps.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. FirstEnergy develops its view of the future market price of key commodities through a combination of market observation and assessment (generally for the short term) and fundamental modeling (generally for the longer term). Key fundamental electricity model inputs are generally directly observable in the market or derived from publicly available historic and forecast data. Some key inputs reflect forecasts published by industry leading consultants who generally employ similar fundamental modeling approaches. Fundamental model inputs and results, as well as the selection of consultants, reflect the consensus of appropriate FirstEnergy management. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers’ needs. FirstEnergy’s Level 3 instruments consist of NUG contracts.

FirstEnergy utilizes market data and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. FirstEnergy primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements using the best information available. Accordingly, FirstEnergy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.

The following table sets forth FirstEnergy’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are accounted for at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31,September 30, 2008. As required by SFAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. FirstEnergy’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.



96



 March 31, 2008  September 30, 2008 
Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Assets:                          
Derivatives $4 $98 $- $102  $- $45 $- $45 
Nuclear decommissioning trusts(1)
  1,070  953  -  2,023   761  1,112  -  1,873 
Other investments(2)
  21  303  -  324   19  312  -  331 
Total $1,095 $1,354 $- $2,449  $780 $1,469 $- $2,249 
                          
Liabilities:                          
Derivatives $- $98 $- $98  $8 $19 $- $27 
NUG contracts(3)(1)
  -  -  682  682   -  -  603  603 
Total $- $98 $682 $780  $8 $19 $603 $630 

(1)Balance excludes $2 million of receivables, payables and accrued income.
(2)  Excludes $318 million of the cash surrender value of life insurance contracts.
(3)  NUG contracts are completely offset by regulatory assets.

114



The determination of the above fair value measures takes into consideration various factors required under SFAS 157. These factors include the credit standing of the counterparties involved, the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, LOCs and priority interests) and the impact of nonperformance risk.

Exchange-traded derivative contracts, which include some futures and options, are generally based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Forwards, options and swap contracts that are not exchange-traded are classified as Level 2 as the fair values of these items are based on ICEIntercontinental Exchange quotes or market transactions in the OTC markets. In addition, complex or longer termlonger-term structured transactions can introduce the need for internally-developed model inputs that may not be observable in or corroborated by the market. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is classified as Level 3.

Nuclear decommissioning trusts consist of equity securities listed on active exchanges classified as Level 1 and various debt securities and collective trusts classified as Level 2. Other investments represent the NUG trusts, spent nuclear fuel trusts and rabbi trust investments, which primarily consist of various debt securities and collective trusts classified as Level 2.

The following table sets forthtables provide a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 (in millions):September 30, 2008:

Balance as of January 1, 2008 $750 
 Three Months  Nine Months 
 (In millions) 
Balance at beginning of period $644  $750 
Realized and unrealized gains (losses)(1)
  (58)  (32) (120)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net(1)
  (10)  (9) (27)
Net transfers to (from) Level 3  -   -   - 
Balance as of March 31, 2008 $682 
Balance as of September 30, 2008 $603  $603 
            
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to            
instruments held as of March 31, 2008 $(58)
    
(1) Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are completely offset by regulatory
assets and do not impact earnings.
 
instruments held as of September 30, 2008 $(32) $(120)
(1)Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are completely offset by regulatory assets and do not impact earnings

Under FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, FirstEnergy has elected to defer, for one year,deferred until January 1, 2009, the election of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. FirstEnergybasis and is currently evaluating the impact of FASSFAS 157 on those financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.liabilities.

5.6. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

FirstEnergy is exposed to financial risks resulting from the fluctuation of interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FirstEnergy uses a variety of derivative instruments, including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. The derivatives are used principally for hedging purposes. FirstEnergy's Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general management oversight for risk management activities throughout FirstEnergy. They are responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs. They also oversee compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practices.

97



FirstEnergy accounts for derivative instruments onin its Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value unless they meet the criteria for the normal purchases and normal sales criteria.exception. Derivatives that meet those criteria are accounted for at cost. FirstEnergy regularly assesses derivatives based on the normal purchases and normal sales criteria and expects no changes in eligibility for the normal purchases and normal sales exception. The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that do not meet the normal purchases and normal sales criteriaexception are recorded as other expense, as AOCL, or as part of the value of the hedged item, depending on whether or not it is designated as part of a hedge transaction, the nature of the hedge transaction and hedge effectiveness. FirstEnergy does not offset fair value for the right to reclaim collateral or the obligation to return collateral.

FirstEnergy hedges anticipated transactions using cash flow hedges. Such transactions include hedges of anticipated electricity, and natural gas and other commodity purchases and anticipated interest payments associated with future debt issues. The effective portion of such hedges are initially recorded in equity as other comprehensive income or loss and are subsequently included in net income as the underlying hedged commodities are delivered or interest payments are made. Gains and losses from any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are includedrecognized directly in earnings.net income.

115



The net deferred losses of $84$64 million included in AOCL as of March 31,September 30, 2008, for derivative hedging activity, as compared to $75 million as of December 31, 2007, resulted from a net $21$3 million increase related to current hedging activity and a $12$14 million decrease due to net hedge losses reclassified to earnings during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. Based on current estimates, approximately $19$16 million (after tax) of the net deferred losses on derivative instruments in AOCL as of March 31,September 30, 2008 are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months as hedged transactions occur. The fair value of these derivative instruments fluctuate from period to period based on various market factors.factors, including commodity prices, counterparty credit and interest rates.

FirstEnergy has entered into swaps that have been designated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate, long-term debt issues to protect against the risk of changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt instruments due to lower interest rates. Swap maturities, call options, fixedIn order to reduce counterparty exposure and lessen variable debt exposure under current market conditions, FirstEnergy unwound its remaining interest rates received, and interest payment dates match thoserate swaps. During the first nine months of the underlying debt obligations. As of March 31, 2008, FirstEnergy hadreceived $3 million to terminate interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $250 million and a fair valuemillion. As of $5 million.September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy has no outstanding interest rate swaps hedging fixed-rate long term debt.

During 2007 and the first threenine months of 2008, FirstEnergy entered into several forward startingforward-starting swap agreements (forward swaps) in order to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with the anticipated issuance of variable-rate short-term debt and fixed-rate long-term debt securities, by one or more of its subsidiaries, as outstanding debt matures during 2008 and 2009. These derivatives are treated as cash flow hedges, protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments resulting from changes in benchmark U.S. Treasury and LIBOR rates between the date of hedge inception and the date of the debt issuance. FirstEnergy considers counterparty credit and nonperformance risk in its hedge assessments and continues to expect the forward-starting swaps to be effective in protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments. During the first threenine months of 2008, FirstEnergy terminated swaps with a notional value of $300$750 million and entered into swaps with a notional value of $500$950 million. FirstEnergy paid $18$16 million related to the terminations, $1$5 million of which was deemed ineffective and recognized in current period earnings. FirstEnergy will recognize the remaining $17 million loss over the life of the associated future debt. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had forward swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $600 million and a fair value of $(8)$(0.2) million.

6.7. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

FirstEnergy has recognized applicable legal obligations under SFAS 143 for nuclear power plant decommissioning, reclamation of a sludge disposal pond and closure of two coal ash disposal sites. In addition, FirstEnergy has recognized conditional retirement obligations (primarily for asbestos remediation) in accordance with FIN 47.

The ARO liability of $1.3 billion as of March 31,September 30, 2008 is primarily related to the future nuclear decommissioning of the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse, Perry and TMI-2 nuclear generating facilities. FirstEnergy utilized an expected cash flow approach to measure the fair value of the nuclear decommissioning ARO.

FirstEnergy maintains nuclear decommissioning trust funds that are legally restricted for purposes of settling the nuclear decommissioning ARO. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the fair value of the decommissioning trust assets was approximately $2.0$1.9 billion.

98



The following tables analyze changes to the ARO balance during the first quarters ofthree months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

ARO Reconciliation FirstEnergy FES OE CEI TE JCP&L Met-Ed Penelec  FirstEnergy FES OE CEI TE JCP&L Met-Ed Penelec 
 
(In millions)
  
(In millions)
 
Balance, January 1, 2008
 
$
1,267
 
$
810
 
$
94
 
$
2
 
$
28
 
$
90
 
$
161
 
$
82
 
Balance, July 1, 2008
 
$
1,307
 
$
836
 
$
96
 
$
2
 
$
29
 
$
92
 
$
166
 
$
84
 
Liabilities incurred
  
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
   
5
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Liabilities settled
  
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
   
(1
) 
(1
) 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Accretion
  
20
  
14
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
1
 
2
 
1
   
21
  
14
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
2
 
2
 
2
 
Revisions in estimated cash flows
  -  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
   
(18
) 
-
  
(18
) 
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Balance, March 31, 2008
 $1,287 
$
824
 
$
95
 
$
2
 
$
29
 
$
91
 
$
163
 
$
83
 
Balance, September 30, 2008
 
$
1,314
 
$
849
 
$
79
 
$
2
 
$
30
 
$
94
 
$
168
 
$
86
 
                                      
Balance, January 1, 2007
 
$
1,190
 
$
760
 
$
88
 
$
2
 
$
27
 
$
84
 
$
151
 
$
77
 
Balance, July 1, 2007
 
$
1,228
 $
784
 $
91
 $
2
 $
27
 $
87
 $
156
 $
79
 
Liabilities incurred
  
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
   
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Liabilities settled
  
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
   
-
  
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Accretion
  
18
  
12
 
1
 
-
 
-
 
2
 
2
 
1
   
19
  
13
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
1
 
2
 
2
 
Revisions in estimated cash flows
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
   
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Balance, March 31, 2007
 
$
1,208
 
$
772
 
$
89
 
$
2
 
$
27
 
$
86
 
$
153
 
$
78
 
Balance, September 30, 2007
 
$
1,247
 $
797
 $
92
 $
2
 $
28
 $
88
 $
158
 $
81
 


7.
116



ARO Reconciliation FirstEnergy FES OE CEI TE JCP&L Met-Ed Penelec 
  
(In millions)
 
Balance, January 1, 2008
 
$
1,267
 
$
810
 
$
94
 
$
2
 
$
28
 
$
90
 
$
161
 
$
82
 
Liabilities incurred
  
5
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Liabilities settled
  
(2
) 
(1
) 
(1
) 
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Accretion
  
62
  
40
  
4
  
-
  
2
  
4
  
7
  
4
 
Revisions in estimated cash flows
  
(18
) 
-
  
(18
) 
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Balance, September 30, 2008
 
$
1,314
 $
849
 $
79
 $
2
 $
30
 $
94
 $
168
 $
86
 
                          
Balance, January 1, 2007
 
$
1,190
 
$
760
 
$
88
 
$
2
 
$
27
 
$
84
 
$
151
 
$
77
 
Liabilities incurred
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Liabilities settled
  
(2
) 
(1
) 
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Accretion
  
59
  
38
  
4
  
-
  
1
  
4
  
7
  
4
 
Revisions in estimated cash flows
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
  
-
 
Balance, September 30, 2007
 
$
1,247
 $
797
 $
92
 $
2
 $
28
 $
88
 $
158
 $
81
 


8. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

FirstEnergy provides noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its employees and those of its subsidiaries.subsidiaries’ employees. The trusteed plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels. FirstEnergy’s funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. FirstEnergy uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The fair value of the plan assets represents the actual market value as of December 31, 2007. FirstEnergy also provides a minimum amount of noncontributory life insurance to retired employees in addition to optional contributory insurance. Health care benefits, which include certain employee contributions, deductibles and co-payments, are available upon retirement to employees hired prior to January 1, 2005, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors. FirstEnergy recognizes the expected cost of providing pension benefits and other postretirement benefits from the time employees are hired until they become eligible to receive those benefits. In addition, FirstEnergy has obligations to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement, for disability-related benefits.

The components of FirstEnergy's net periodic pension cost and other postretirement benefit cost (including amounts capitalized) for the three months and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, consisted of the following:

 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits  Three Months Nine Months 
 2008 2007 2008 2007  Ended September 30 Ended September 30 
Pension Benefits 2008 2007 2008 2007 
 (In millions)  (In millions) 
Service cost
 
$
21
 
$
21
 
$
5
 
$
5
  $21 $21 $62 $63 
Interest cost
  
72
 
71
 
18
 
17
   72  71  217  213 
Expected return on plan assets
  
(115
)
 
(112
)
 
(13
)
 
(13
)
  (116) (112) (347) (337)
Amortization of prior service cost
  
2
 
2
 
(37
)
 
(37
)
  3  2  7  7 
Recognized net actuarial loss
  
1
  
10
  
12
  
12
   1  10  4  31 
Net periodic cost (credit)
 
$
(19
)
$
(8)
 
$
(15
)
$
(16
) $(19)$(8)$(57)$(23)


  Three Months Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 Ended September 30 
Other Postretirement Benefits 2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
Service cost $5 $5 $14 $16 
Interest cost  18  17  55  52 
Expected return on plan assets  (13) (12) (38) (38)
Amortization of prior service cost  (37) (37) (111) (112)
Recognized net actuarial loss  12  11  35  34 
Net periodic cost (credit) $(15)$(16)$(45)$(48)

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations are allocated to FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries employing the plan participants. The CompaniesFES and the Utilities capitalize employee benefits related to construction projects. The net periodic pension costs and net periodic postretirement benefit costs (including amounts capitalized) recognized by FES and each of the CompaniesUtilities for the three months and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

  Pension Benefit Cost (Credit) 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Cost (Credit)
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
FES
 
$
4
 
$
-
 
$
(2
)
$
-
 
OE
  
(7
) 
(4
) 
(2
) 
(3
)
CEI
  
(1
) 
-
  
1
  
1
 
TE
  
(1
) 
-
  
1
  
1
 
JCP&L
  
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
) 
(4
)
Met-Ed
  
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
) 
(2
)
Penelec
  
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
) 
(3
)
Other FirstEnergy
subsidiaries
  
(4
)
 
3
  
(3
) 
(6
)
  
$
(19
)
$
(8
)
$
(15
)
$
(16
)

 
99117

 


8.
  Three Months Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 Ended September 30 
Pension Benefit Cost (Credit) 2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
FES $4 $5 $11 $16 
OE  (6) (4) (20) (12)
CEI  (1) -  (3) 1 
TE  (1) -  (2) - 
JCP&L  (4) (2) (11) (7)
Met-Ed  (3) (2) (8) (5)
Penelec  (3) (2) (10) (8)
Other FirstEnergy subsidiaries  (5) (3) (14) (8)
  $(19)$(8)$(57)$(23)


  Three Months Nine Months 
  Ended September 30 Ended September 30 
Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Credit) 2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
FES $(2)$(2)$(5)$(7)
OE  (2) (3) (5) (8)
CEI  1  1  2  3 
TE  1  1  3  4 
JCP&L  (4) (4) (12) (12)
Met-Ed  (3) (3) (8) (8)
Penelec  (3) (3) (10) (10)
Other FirstEnergy subsidiaries  (3) (3) (10) (10)
  $(15)$(16)$(45)$(48)

Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, companies are generally required make a scheduled series of contributions to fund 100% of outstanding qualified pension benefit obligations over a seven year period. As of December 31, 2007, FirstEnergy’s pension plan was overfunded, and, therefore, FirstEnergy will not be required to make any contributions in 2009 for the 2008 plan year. However, the overall actual asset return as of December 31, 2008 may reduce the value of the pension plan’s assets to the level where contributions would be required in 2010 for the 2009 plan year.

9. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

FIN 46R addresses the consolidation of VIEs, including special-purpose entities, that are not controlled through voting interests or in which the equity investors do not bear the entity's residual economic risks and rewards. FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries consolidate VIEsa VIE when they are determined to be the VIE's primary beneficiary as defined by FIN 46R.

Mining Operations

On July 16, 2008, FirstEnergy Ventures Corp., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, entered into a joint venture with the Boich Companies, a Columbus, Ohio-based coal company, to acquire a majority stake in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations near Roundup, Montana. FirstEnergy made a $125 million equity investment in the joint venture, which acquired 80% of the mining operations (Signal Peak Energy, LLC) and 100% of the transportation operations, with FirstEnergy Ventures Corp. owning a 45% economic interest and an affiliate of the Boich Companies owning a 55% economic interest in the joint venture. Both parties have a 50% voting interest in the joint venture. After January 2010, the joint venture will have 18 months to exercise an option to acquire the remaining 20% stake in the mining operations. In accordance with FIN 46R, FirstEnergy is including the limited liability companies created for the mining and transportation operations of this joint venture in its consolidated financial statements.

Trusts

FirstEnergy’s consolidated financial statements include PNBV and Shippingport, VIEs created in 1996 and 1997, respectively, to refinance debt originally issued in connection with sale and leaseback transactions. PNBV and Shippingport financial data are included in the consolidated financial statements of OE and CEI, respectively.

PNBV was established to purchase a portion of the lease obligation bonds issued in connection with OE’s 1987 sale and leaseback of its interests in the Perry Plant and Beaver Valley Unit 2. OE used debt and available funds to purchase the notes issued by PNBV. Ownership of PNBV includes a 3% equity interest by an unaffiliated third party and a 3% equity interest held by OES Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of OE. Shippingport was established to purchase all of the lease obligation bonds issued in connection with CEI’s and TE’s Bruce Mansfield Plant sale and leaseback transaction in 1987. CEI and TE used debt and available funds to purchase the notes issued by Shippingport.

118



Loss Contingencies

FES and the Ohio Companies are exposed to losses under their applicable sale-leasebacksale and leaseback agreements upon the occurrence of certain contingent events that each company considers unlikely to occur. The maximum exposure under these provisions represents the net amount of casualty value payments due upon the occurrence of specified casualty events that render the applicable plant worthless. Net discounted lease payments would not be payable if the casualty loss payments are made. The following table shows each company’s net exposure to loss based upon the casualty value provisions mentioned above as of March 31,September 30, 2008:

 Maximum Exposure 
Discounted
Lease
Payments, net
 
Net
Exposure
 Maximum Exposure 
Discounted
Lease Payments, net
 Net Exposure
 (in millions) (in millions)
FES $1,364 $1,216 $148 $1,363 $1,209 $154
OE 819 628 191 788 597 191
CEI 782 77 705 718 79 639
TE 782 457 325 718 421 297

In October 2007, CEI and TE assigned their leasehold interests in the Bruce Mansfield Plant to FGCO. FGCO, which assumed all of CEI’s and TE’s obligations arising under those leases. FGCO subsequently transferred the Unit 1 portion of these leasehold interests, as well as FGCO’s leasehold interests under its July 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction to a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary in December 2007. The subsidiary assumed all of the lessee obligations associated with the assigned interests. However, CEI and TE will remain primarily liable on the 1987 leases and related agreements as to the lessors and other parties to the agreements. FGCO remains primarily liable on the 2007 leases and related agreements, and FES remains primarily liable as a guarantor under the related 2007 guarantees, as to the lessors and other parties to the respective agreements. These assignments terminate automatically upon the termination of the underlying leases.

On March 3,During the second quarter of 2008, notice was given toNGC purchased 56.8 MW of lessor equity interests in the nine owner trusts that are lessors underOE 1987 sale and leaseback transactions, originally entered into byof the Perry Plant and approximately 43.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the OE 1987 sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2. Also in the second quarter of 2008, NGC purchased 158.5 MW of lessor equity interests in the TE inand CEI 1987 that NGC would acquire the related 18.26% undivided interest insale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2, throughwhich purchases were undertaken in connection with the previously disclosed exercise of the periodic purchase option provided for in the applicable facility leases.TE and CEI sale and leaseback arrangements. The purchase priceOhio Companies continue to be paid by NGC for the undivided interest will be equal to the higher of a specified casualty valuelease these MW under the applicable facility leases (approximately $239 million in the aggregate for the equity portion of all nine facility leases)respective sale and leaseback arrangements and the fair market sales value of such undivided interests. Determination of the fair market sales value may become subject to an appraisal procedure provided for in therelated lease documentation. An additional payment of approximately $236 million would be required to prepay in full the outstanding principal of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the lessor notes of the nine owner trusts. Alternatively, this amount would not be paid as part of the aggregate purchase price if the lessor notes are instead assumed at the time of the exercise of the option. If NGC determines to prepay the notes, it is possible that the proceeds from such prepayment may not be sufficient to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds as they become due. If that is the case, NGC would provide a mechanism to address any such potential shortfall in a timely manner.

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debt remains outstanding.

Power Purchase Agreements

In accordance with FIN 46R, FirstEnergy evaluated its power purchase agreements and determined that certain NUG entities may be VIEs to the extent they own a plant that sells substantially all of its output to the CompaniesUtilities and the contract price for power is correlated with the plant’s variable costs of production. FirstEnergy, through its subsidiaries JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec, maintains approximately 30 long-term power purchase agreements with NUG entities. The agreements were entered into pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. FirstEnergy was not involved in the creation of, and has no equity or debt invested in, these entities.

FirstEnergy has determined that for all but eight of these entities, neither JCP&L, Met-Ed nor Penelec have variable interests in the entities or the entities are governmental or not-for-profit organizations not within the scope of FIN 46R. JCP&L, Met-Ed or Penelec may hold variable interests in the remaining eight entities, which sell their output at variable prices that correlate to some extent with the operating costs of the plants. As required by FIN 46R, FirstEnergy periodically requests from these eight entities the information necessary to determine whether they are VIEs or whether JCP&L, Met-Ed or Penelec is the primary beneficiary. FirstEnergy has been unable to obtain the requested information, which in most cases was deemed by the requested entity to be proprietary. As such, FirstEnergy applied the scope exception that exempts enterprises unable to obtain the necessary information to evaluate entities under FIN 46R.

Since FirstEnergy has no equity or debt interests in the NUG entities, its maximum exposure to loss relates primarily to the above-market costs it may incur for power. FirstEnergy expects any above-market costs it incurs to be recovered from customers. Purchased power costs from these entities during the three months and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 are shown in the following table:

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
JCP&L
 
$
19
 
$
20
 
Met-Ed
  
16
  
15
 
Penelec
  
8
  
8
 
  
$
43
 
$
43
 
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  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
  September 30 September 30 
  2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (In millions) 
JCP&L $26 $30 $67 $71 
Met-Ed  12  13  44  40 
Penelec  8  7  25  22 
Total $46 $50 $136 $133 

Transition Bonds

The consolidated financial statements of FirstEnergy and JCP&L include the results of JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II, wholly owned limited liability companies of JCP&L. In June 2002, JCP&L Transition Funding sold $320 million of transition bonds to securitize the recovery of JCP&L's bondable stranded costs associated with the previously divested Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. In August 2006, JCP&L Transition Funding II sold $182 million of transition bonds to securitize the recovery of deferred costs associated with JCP&L’s supply of BGS.

JCP&L did not purchase and does not own any of the transition bonds, which are included as long-term debt on FirstEnergy's and JCP&L's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, $391$377 million of the transition bonds were outstanding. The transition bonds are the sole obligations of JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II and are collateralized by each company’s equity and assets which consists primarily of- principally bondable transition property.

Bondable transition property under New Jersey law represents the irrevocable right under New Jersey law of a utility company to charge, collect and receive from its customers, through a non-bypassable TBC,transition bond charge (TBC), the principal amount and interest on transition bonds and other fees and expenses associated with their issuance. JCP&L sold its bondable transition property to JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II and, as servicer, manages and administers the bondable transition property, including the billing, collection and remittance of the TBC, pursuant to separate servicing agreements with JCP&L Transition Funding and JCP&L Transition Funding II. For the two series of transition bonds, JCP&L is entitled to aggregate quarterly servicing fees of $157,000 payable from TBC collections.

9.10. INCOME TAXES

On January 1, 2007, FirstEnergy adopted FIN 48, which provides guidance for accountingaccounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109.FIN 48. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a company’s tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest, penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with this interpretation is a two-step process. The first step is to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the merits of the position, and should therefore be recognized. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold to determine the amount of income tax benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

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As of January 1, 2007, the total amount of FirstEnergy’s unrecognized tax benefits was $268 million. FirstEnergy recorded a $2.7 million cumulative effect adjustment to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings to increase reserves for uncertain tax positions. Of the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits, $92 million would favorably affect FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate, upon recognition.if recognized in 2008. The majority of items that would not have affectedaffect the 2008 effective tax rate would be purchase accounting adjustments to goodwill, upon recognition.if recognized in 2008. Upon completion of the federal tax examinations for tax years 2004 to 2006 in the third quarter of 2008, FirstEnergy recognized approximately $45 million in tax benefits, including $5 million that favorably affected FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate. A majority of the tax benefits recognized in the third quarter of 2008 adjusted goodwill as a purchase accounting adjustment ($20 million) and accumulated deferred income taxes for temporary tax items ($15 million). During the first threenine months of 2008 and 2007, there were no material changes to FirstEnergy’s unrecognized tax benefits. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy expects that it is reasonably possible that $8approximately $151 million of the unrecognized benefits willmay be resolved within the next twelve months, and is includedof which $54 million to $147 million, if recognized, would affect FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate. The potential decrease in the caption “accrued taxes,”amount of unrecognized tax benefits is primarily associated with issues related to the remaining $263 million included in the caption “other non-current liabilities”capitalization of certain costs capital gains and losses recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.disposition of assets and various other tax items.

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FIN 48 also requires companies to recognize interest expense or income related to uncertain tax positions. That amount is computed by applying the applicable statutory interest rate to the difference between the tax position recognized in accordance with FIN 48 and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. FirstEnergy includes net interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes, consistent with its policy prior to implementing FIN 48. The reversal of accrued interest associated with the $45 million in recognized tax benefits favorably affected FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate by $12 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 and an interest receivable of $4 million was removed from the accrued interest for FIN 48 items. The net amount of interest accrued as of March 31,September 30, 2008 was $57$56 million, as compared to $53 million as of December 31, 2007. During the first three months of 2008 and 2007, there were no material changes to the amount of interest accrued.

FirstEnergy has tax returns that are under review at the audit or appeals level by the IRS and state tax authorities. All state jurisdictions are open from 2001-2007. The IRS began reviewing returns for the years 2001-2003 in July 2004 and several items are under appeal. The federal audits for the years 2004-2006 are expected to close before Decemberwere completed in the third quarter of 2008 but management anticipates certainand several items to beare under appeal. The IRS began auditing the year 2007 in February 2007 and the year 2008 in February 2008 under its Compliance Assurance Process experimental program. Neither audit is expected to close before December 2008. Management believes that adequate reserves have been recognized and final settlement of these audits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s financial condition or results of operations.

10.11.  COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

(A)    GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES

As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. These agreements include contract guarantees, surety bonds and LOCs. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, outstanding guarantees and other assurances aggregated approximately $4.4$4.2 billion, consisting of parental guarantees - $0.9 billion, subsidiaries’ guarantees - $2.7 billion, surety bonds - $0.1 billion and LOCs - $0.7$0.5 billion.

FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides guarantees to various providers of credit support for the financing or refinancing by subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements legally obligate FirstEnergy to fulfill the obligations of those subsidiaries directly involved in energy and energy-related transactions or financing where the law might otherwise limit the counterparties' claims. If demands of a counterparty were to exceed the ability of a subsidiary to satisfy existing obligations, FirstEnergy's guarantee enables the counterparty's legal claim to be satisfied by other FirstEnergy assets. The likelihood is remote that such parental guarantees of $0.4 billion (included in the $0.9 billion discussed above) as of March 31,September 30, 2008 would increase amounts otherwise payable by FirstEnergy to meet its obligations incurred in connection with financings and ongoing energy and energy-related activities.

While these types of guarantees are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of cash collateral, or provision of an LOC or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy's maximum exposure under these collateral provisions was $440 million.$573 million, consisting of $64 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses and $509 million due to a below investment grade credit rating. Additionally, stress case conditions of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event” and hypothetical adverse price movements in the underlying commodity markets would increase this amount to $648 million, consisting of $58 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses and $590 million due to a below investment grade credit rating.

FES, through potential participation in utility sponsored competitive power procurement processes (including those of affiliates) or through forward hedging transactions and as a consequence of future power price movements, could be required to post significantly higher collateral to support its power transactions.

Most of FirstEnergy's surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees of $66$94 million provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.

FirstEnergy has also guaranteed the obligations of the operators of the TEBSA project, up to a maximum of $2 million (subject to escalation) under the project's operations and maintenance agreement. In connection with the sale of TEBSA in January 2004, the purchaser indemnified FirstEnergy against any loss under this guarantee. FirstEnergy has also provided an LOC ($19 million as of March 31, 2008), which is renewable and declines yearly based upon the senior outstanding debt of TEBSA.

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In July 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases.leases (see Note 15). The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty.

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On October 8, 2008, to enhance their liquidity position in the face of the turbulent credit and bond markets, FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries, FES and FGCO entered into a $300 million secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse. Under the facility, FGCO is the borrower and FES and FirstEnergy are guarantors. Generally, the facility is available to FGCO until October 7, 2009, with a minimum borrowing amount of $100 million and maturity 30 days from the date of the borrowing. Once repaid, borrowings may not be re-borrowed.

In early October 2008, FirstEnergy took steps to further enhance its liquidity position by negotiating with the banks that have issued irrevocable direct pay LOCs in support of its outstanding variable interest rate PCRBs to extend the respective reimbursement obligations of the applicable FirstEnergy subsidiary obligors in the event that such LOCs are drawn upon. FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries currently have approximately $2.1 billion variable interest rate PCRBs outstanding (FES - $1.9 billion, OE - $156 million, Met-Ed - $29 million and Penelec - $45 million). The LOCs supporting these PCRBs may be drawn upon to pay the purchase price to bondholders that have exercised the right to tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase. As a result of these negotiations, a total of approximately $902 million of LOCs that previously required reimbursement within 30 days or less of a draw under the applicable LOC have now been modified to extend the reimbursement obligations to six months or June 2009, as applicable.

(B)  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. The effects of compliance on FirstEnergy with regard to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's earnings and competitive position to the extent that it competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations. FirstEnergy estimates capital expenditures for environmental compliance of approximately $1.4 billion for the period 2008-2012.

FirstEnergy accrues environmental liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. Unasserted claims are reflected in FirstEnergy’s determination of environmental liabilities and are accrued in the period that they become both probable and reasonably estimable.

Clean Air Act Compliance

FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 emissions regulations. Violations of such regulations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties of up to $32,500 for each day the unit is in violation. The EPA has an interim enforcement policy for SO2 regulations in Ohio that allows for compliance based on a 30-day averaging period. FirstEnergy believes it is currently in compliance with this policy, but cannot predict what action the EPA may take in the future with respect to the interim enforcement policy.

The EPA Region 5 issued a Finding of Violation and NOV to the Bay Shore Power Plant dated June 15, 2006, alleging violations to various sections of the CAA. FirstEnergy has disputed those alleged violations based on its CAA permit, the Ohio SIP and other information provided to the EPA at an August 2006 meeting with the EPA. The EPA has several enforcement options (administrative compliance order, administrative penalty order, and/or judicial, civil or criminal action) and has indicated that such option may depend on the time needed to achieve and demonstrate compliance with the rules alleged to have been violated. On June 5, 2007, the EPA requested another meeting to discuss “an appropriate compliance program” and a disagreement regarding the opacity limitemission limits applicable to the common stack for Bay Shore Units 2, 3 and 4.

FirstEnergy complies with SO2 reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by burning lower-sulfur fuel, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants, and/or using emission allowances. NOX reductions required by the 1990 Amendments are being achieved through combustion controls and the generation of more electricity at lower-emitting plants. In September 1998, the EPA finalized regulations requiring additional NOX reductions at FirstEnergy's facilities. The EPA's NOX Transport Rule imposes uniform reductions of NOX emissions (an approximate 85% reduction in utility plant NOX emissions from projected 2007 emissions) across a region of nineteen states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on a conclusion that such NOX emissions are contributing significantly to ozone levels in the eastern United States. FirstEnergy believes its facilities are also complying with the NOX budgets established under SIPs through combustion controls and post-combustion controls, including Selective Catalytic Reduction and SNCR systems, and/or using emission allowances.

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In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W. H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, is referred to as the NSR cases.  OE’s and Penn’s settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation was approved by the Court on July 11, 2005. This settlement agreement, in the form of a consent decree, requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above. On September 8, 2008, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the DOJ sent a letter to OE regarding its view that the company was not in compliance with the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because the installation of an SNCR at Eastlake Unit 5 was not completed by December 31, 2006. However, the DOJ acknowledged that stipulated penalties could not apply under the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree because Eastlake Unit 5 was idled on December 31, 2006 pending installation of the SNCR and advised that it had exercised its discretion not to seek any other penalties for this alleged non-compliance. OE disputed the DOJ's interpretation of the consent decree in a letter dated September 22, 2008. Although the Eastlake Unit 5 issue is no longer active, OE filed a dispute resolution petition on October 23, 2008, with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, due to potential impacts on its compliance decisions with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5. Under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree, an election to repower by December 31, 2012, install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by December 31, 2010, or permanently shut down those units by December 31, 2010, is due no later than December 31, 2008. Although FirstEnergy will meet the December 31, 2008 deadline for making an election, one potential compliance option, should FGD be elected, would be to idle Burger Units 4 and 5 on December 31, 2010 pending completion of the FGD installation. Thus, OE is seeking a determination by the Court whether this approach is indeed in compliance with the terms of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. The Court has scheduled a hearing on OE’s dispute resolution petition for November 17, 2008. The outcome of this dispute resolution process could have an impact on the option FirstEnergy ultimately elects with respect to Burger Units 4 and 5.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.   The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

On May 22, 2007, FirstEnergy and FGCO received a notice letter, required 60 days prior to the filing of a citizen suit under the federal CAA, alleging violations of air pollution laws at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, including opacity limitations. Prior to the receipt of this notice, the Plant was subject to a Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning opacity emissions under which efforts to achieve compliance with the applicable laws will continue. On October 18, 2007, PennFuture filed a complaint, joined by three of its members, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On January 11, 2008, FirstEnergy filed a motion to dismiss claims alleging a public nuisance. On April 24, 2008, the Court denied the motion to dismiss, but also ruled that monetary damages could not be recovered under the public nuisance claim. In July 2008, three additional complaints were filed against FGCO in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. In addition to seeking damages, two of the complaints seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner”, one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint, seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. On October 14, 2008, the Court granted FGCO’s motion to consolidate discovery for all four complaints pending against the Bruce Mansfield Plant. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

On December 18, 2007, the state of New Jersey filed a CAA citizen suit alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against Reliant (the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999), GPU, Inc. and Met-Ed.  Specifically, New Jersey alleges that "modifications" at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 1995 without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program, and seeks injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. On March 14, 2008, Met-Ed filed a motion to dismiss the citizen suit claims against it and a stipulation in which the parties agreed that GPU, Inc. should be dismissed from this case. On March 26, 2008, GPU, Inc. was dismissed by the United States District Court. Although it remains liable for civil or criminal penaltiesThe scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and fines that may be assessed relatingfrom Sithe Energy is disputed.  By letter dated October 1, 2008, New Jersey informed the Court of its intent to events prior to the sale of the Portland Station in 1999,file an amended complaint. Met-Ed is indemnified by Sithe Energy against any other liability arising underunable to predict the CAA whether it arises outoutcome of pre-1999 or post-1999 events.this matter.

 
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On June 11, 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to MEW alleging that "modifications" at the Homer City Power Station occurred since 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR or permitting under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. MEW is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner (along with New York State Electric and Gas Company) and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999.  The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from MEW is disputed.  Penelec is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On May 16, 2008, FGCO received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. On July 10, 2008, FGCO and the EPA entered into an ACO modifying that request and setting forth a schedule for FGCO’s response. FGCO complied with the modified schedule and otherwise intends to fully comply with the ACO, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

On August 18, 2008, FirstEnergy received a request from the EPA for information pursuant to Section 114(a) of the CAA for certain operating and maintenance information regarding the Avon Lake and Niles generating plants, as well as a copy of a nearly identical request directed to the current owner, Reliant Energy, to allow the EPA to determine whether these generating sources are complying with the NSR provisions of the CAA. FirstEnergy intends to fully comply with the EPA’s information request, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAIR covering a total of 28 states (including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia based on proposed findings that air emissions from 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia significantly contribute to non-attainment of the NAAQS for fine particles and/or the "8-hour" ozone NAAQS in other states. CAIR requireswould have required reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions in two phases (Phase I in 2009 for NOX, 2010 for SO2 and Phase II in 2015 for both NOX and SO2). FirstEnergy's Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania fossil generation facilities will be subject to caps on SO2 and NOX emissions, whereas its New Jersey fossil generation facility will be subject to only a cap on NOX emissions. According to the EPA, SO2 emissions will be reduced by 45% (from 2003 levels) by 2010 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 73% (from 2003 levels) by 2015,, ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to just 2.5 million tons annually.annually and NOX emissions will be reduced by 53% (from 2003 levels) by 2009 across the states covered by the rule, with reductions reaching 61% (from 2003 levels) by 2015, achieving a regional NOX cap ofto just 1.3 million tons annually. CAIR has beenwas challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.Columbia and on July 11, 2008, the Court vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” The Court ruling also vacated the CAIR regional cap and trade requirements for SO2 and NOX, which is currently not expected to, but may, materially impair the value of emissions allowances obtained for future compliance. On September 24, 2008, the EPA, utility, mining and certain environmental advocacy organizations petitioned the Court for a rehearing to reconsider its ruling vacating CAIR.  On October 21, 2008, the Court ordered the parties who appealed CAIR to file responses to the rehearing petitions by November 5, 2008 and directed them to address (1) whether any party is seeking vacatur of CAIR and (2) whether the Court should stay its vacatur of CAIR until EPA promulgates a revised rule. The future cost of compliance with these regulations may be substantial and maywill depend on the outcome of this litigation and how CAIR is ultimately implemented.Court’s ruling on rehearing, as well as the action taken by the EPA or Congress in response to the Court’s ruling.

Mercury Emissions

In December 2000, the EPA announced it would proceed with the development of regulations regarding hazardous air pollutants from electric power plants, identifying mercury as the hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. In March 2005, the EPA finalized the CAMR, which provides a cap-and-trade program to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in two phases; initially, capping national mercury emissions at 38 tons by 2010 (as a "co-benefit" from implementation of SO2 and NOX emission caps under the EPA's CAIR program) and 15 tons per year by 2018. Several states and environmental groups appealed the CAMR to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 8, 2008, the courtCourt vacated the CAMR, ruling that the EPA failed to take the necessary steps to “de-list” coal-fired power plants from its hazardous air pollutant program and, therefore, could not promulgate a cap-and-trade program. The EPA must now seek further judicialpetitioned for rehearing by the entire Court, which denied the petition on May 20, 2008.  On October 17, 2008, the EPA (and an industry group) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of thatthe Court’s ruling vacating CAMR. The Supreme Court could grant the EPA’s petition and alter some or all of the lower Court’s decision, or the EPA could take regulatory action to promulgate new mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with mercury regulations may be substantial and will depend on the action taken by the EPA and on how they are ultimately implemented.

Pennsylvania has submitted a new mercury rule for EPA approval that does not provide a cap-and-trade approach as in the CAMR, but rather follows a command-and-control approach imposing emission limits on individual sources. It is anticipated that compliance with these regulations, if approved by the EPA and implemented, would not require the addition of mercury controls at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, FirstEnergy’s only Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant, until 2015, if at all.

W. H. Sammis Plant

In 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued an NOV and the DOJ filed a civil complaint against OE and Penn based on operation and maintenance of the W.H. Sammis Plant (Sammis NSR Litigation) and filed similar complaints involving 44 other U.S. power plants. This case, along with seven other similar cases, are referred to as the NSR cases.

On March 18, 2005, OE and Penn announced that they had reached a settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and three states (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) that resolved all issues related to the Sammis NSR litigation. This settlement agreement, which is in the form of a consent decree, was approved by the court on July 11, 2005, and requires reductions of NOX and SO2 emissions at the Sammis, Burger, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants through the installation of pollution control devices and provides for stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement. Consequently, if FirstEnergy fails to install such pollution control devices, for any reason, including, but not limited to, the failure of any third-party contractor to timely meet its delivery obligations for such devices, FirstEnergy could be exposed to penalties under the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree. Capital expenditures necessary to complete requirements of the Sammis NSR Litigation consent decree are currently estimated to be $1.3 billion for 2008-2012 ($650 million of which is expected to be spent during 2008, with the largest portion of the remaining $650 million expected to be spent in 2009). This amount is included in the estimated capital expenditures for environmental compliance referenced above.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled that changes in annual emissions (in tons/year) rather than changes in hourly emissions rate (in kilograms/hour) must be used to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR. Subsequently, on May 8, 2007, the EPA proposed to revise the NSR regulations to utilize changes in the hourly emission rate (in kilograms/hour) to determine whether an emissions increase triggers NSR.   The EPA has not yet issued a final regulation. FGCO’s future cost of compliance with those regulations may be substantial and will depend on how they are ultimately implemented.

 
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Climate Change

In December 1997, delegates to the United Nations' climate summit in Japan adopted an agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG emitted by developed countries by 2012. The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 but it failed to receive the two-thirds vote requiredwas never submitted for ratification by the United States Senate. However, the Bush administration has committed the United States to a voluntary climate change strategy to reduce domestic GHG intensity – the ratio of emissions to economic output – by 18% through 2012. Also, in an April 16, 2008 speech, President Bush set a policy goal of stopping the growth of GHG emissions by 2025, as the next step beyond the 2012 strategy. In addition, the EPACT established a Committee on Climate Change Technology to coordinate federal climate change activities and promote the development and deployment of GHG reducing technologies.

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level.  At the international level, efforts to reach a new global agreement to reduce GHG emissions post-2012 have begun with the Bali Roadmap, which outlines a two-year process designed to lead to an agreement in 2009. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the Senate EnvironmentalEnvironment and Public Works Committees haveCommittee has passed one such bill. State activities, primarily the northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court found that the EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 emissions from automobiles as “air pollutants” under the CAA. Although this decision did not address CO2 emissions from electric generating plants, the EPA has similar authority under the CAA to regulate “air pollutants” from those and other facilities. On July 11, 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, soliciting input from the public on the effects of climate change and the potential ramifications of regulation of CO2 under the CAA.

FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions could require significant capital and other expenditures. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy's plants. In addition, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy's operations. As provided in the Clean Water Act, authority to grant federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water discharge permits can be assumed by a state. Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have assumed such authority.

On September 7, 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing large electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). On January 26, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded portions of the rulemaking dealing with impingement mortality and entrainment back to the EPA for further rulemaking and eliminated the restoration option from the EPA’s regulations. On July 9, 2007, the EPA suspended this rule, noting that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment (BPJ) to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. On April 14, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari to review certain aspectsone significant aspect of the Second Circuit’s decision.Circuit Court’s opinion which is whether Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures.  Oral argument before the Supreme Court is scheduled for December 2, 2008. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness. Depending on the results of such studies, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of the Second Circuit’s decision, the EPA’s further rulemaking and any action taken by the states exercising BPJ,best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.

Regulation of Hazardous Waste

As a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated. Certain fossil-fuel combustion waste products, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation. The EPA subsequently determined that regulation of coal ash as a hazardous waste is unnecessary. In April 2000, the EPA announced that it will develop national standards regulating disposal of coal ash under its authority to regulate non-hazardous waste.

 
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Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities.  As of March 31,September 30, 2008, FirstEnergy had approximately $2.0$1.9 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As part of the application to the NRC to transfer the ownership of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley and Perry to NGC in 2005, FirstEnergy agreed to contribute another $80 million to these trusts by 2010. Consistent with NRC guidance, utilizing a “real” rate of return on these funds of approximately 2% over inflation, these trusts are expected to exceed the minimum decommissioning funding requirements set by the NRC. Conservatively, these estimates do not include any rate of return that the trusts may earn over the 20-year plant useful life extensions that FirstEnergy (and Exelon for TMI-1 as it relates to the timing of the decommissioning of TMI-2) seeks for these facilities.

The CompaniesUtilities have been named as PRPs at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all PRPs for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Therefore, environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,September 30, 2008, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Companies'Utilities' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $92$94 million (JCP&L - $65$68 million, TE - $1 million, CEI - $1 million and FirstEnergy Corp. - $25$24 million) have been accrued through March 31,September 30, 2008. Included in the total for JCP&L are accrued liabilities of approximately $56$57 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants in New Jersey;Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.

(C)    OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Power Outages and Related Litigation

In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L's territory. In an investigation into the causes of the outages and the reliability of the transmission and distribution systems of all four of New Jersey’s electric utilities, the NJBPU concluded that there was not a prima facie case demonstrating that, overall, JCP&L provided unsafe, inadequate or improper service to its customers. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages arising from the July 1999 service interruptions in the JCP&L territory.

In August 2002, the trial courtCourt granted partial summary judgment to JCP&L and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and strict product liability. In November 2003, the trial courtCourt granted JCP&L's motion to decertify the class and denied plaintiffs' motion to permit into evidence their class-wide damage model indicating damages in excess of $50 million. These class decertification and damage rulings were appealed to the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division issued a decision in July 2004, affirming the decertification of the originally certified class, but remanding for certification of a class limited to those customers directly impacted by the outages of JCP&L transformers in Red Bank, NJ, based on a common incident involving the failure of the bushings of two large transformers in the Red Bank substation resulting in planned and unplanned outages in the area during a 2-3 day period. In 2005, JCP&L renewed its motion to decertify the class based on a very limited number of class members who incurred damages and also filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, breach of contract and punitive damages. In July 2006, the New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the punitive damage claim and again decertified the class based on the fact that a vast majority of the class members did not suffer damages and those that did would be more appropriately addressed in individual actions. Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the New Jersey Appellate Division which, in March 2007, reversed the decertification of the Red Bank class and remanded this matter back to the Trial Court to allow plaintiffs sufficient time to establish a damage model or individual proof of damages. JCP&L filed a petition for allowance of an appeal of the Appellate Division ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court which was denied in May 2007.  Proceedings are continuing in the Superior Court and a case management conference with the presiding Judge is scheduled forwas held on June 13, 2008.  FirstEnergyAt that conference, the plaintiffs stated their intent to drop their efforts to create a class-wide damage model and, instead of dismissing the class action, expressed their desire for a bifurcated trial on liability and damages. The judge directed the plaintiffs to indicate, on or before August 22, 2008, how they intend to proceed under this scenario. Thereafter, the judge expects to hold another pretrial conference to address plaintiffs' proposed procedure. JCP&L has received the plaintiffs’ proposed plan of action, and intends to file its objection to the proposed plan, and also file a renewed motion to decertify the class. JCP&L is defending this class action but is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.outcome. No liability has been accrued as of March 31,September 30, 2008.

 
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Nuclear Plant Matters

On May 14, 2007, the Office of Enforcement of the NRC issued a DFI to FENOC, following FENOC’s reply to an April 2, 2007 NRC request for information about two reports prepared by expert witnesses for an insurance arbitration (the insurance claim was subsequently withdrawn by FirstEnergy in December 2007) related to Davis-Besse. The NRC indicated that this information was needed for the NRC “to determine whether an Order or other action should be taken pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, to provide reasonable assurance that FENOC will continue to operate its licensed facilities in accordance with the terms of its licenses and the Commission’s regulations.” FENOC was directed to submit the information to the NRC within 30 days. On June 13, 2007, FENOC filed a response to the NRC’s DFI reaffirming that it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes and omissions leading up to the damage to the reactor vessel head and that it remains committed to operating Davis-Besse and FirstEnergy’s other nuclear plants safely and responsibly. FENOC submitted a supplemental response clarifying certain aspects of the DFI response to the NRC on July 16, 2007. On August 15, 2007, the NRC issued a confirmatory order imposing these commitments. FENOC must inform the NRC’s Office of Enforcement after it completes the key commitments embodied in the NRC’s order. FENOC has conducted the employee training required by the confirmatory order and a consultant has performed follow-up reviews to ensure the effectiveness of that training.  The NRC continues to monitor FENOC’s compliance with theseall the commitments made in the confirmatory order.

In August 2007, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC to renew the operating licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) for an additional 20 years. The NRC is subjectrequired by statute to futureprovide an opportunity for members of the public to request a hearing on the application. No members of the public, however, requested a hearing on the Beaver Valley license renewal application. On September 24, 2008, the NRC review.issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Beaver Valley. FENOC will continue to work with the NRC Staff as it completes its environmental and technical reviews of the license renewal application, and expects to obtain renewed licenses for the Beaver Valley Power Station in 2009. If renewed licenses are issued by the NRC, the Beaver Valley Power Station’s licenses would be extended until 2036 and 2047 for Units 1 and 2, respectively.

Other Legal Matters

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy's normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.

On August 22, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against OE in Jefferson County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial based on claims of negligence and eight other tort counts alleging damages from W.H. Sammis Plant air emissions. The two named plaintiffs are also seeking injunctive relief to eliminate harmful emissions and repair property damage and the institution of a medical monitoring program for class members. On April 5, 2007, the Court rejected the plaintiffs’ request to certify this case as a class action and, accordingly, did not appoint the plaintiffs as class representatives or their counsel as class counsel. On July 30, 2007, plaintiffs’ counsel voluntarily withdrew their request for reconsideration of the April 5, 2007 Court order denying class certification and the Court heard oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, which OE opposed. On August 2, 2007, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint. The plaintiffs have appealed the Court’s denial of the motion for certification as a class action and motion to amend their complaint.complaint and oral argument was held on November 5, 2008.

JCP&L's bargaining unit employees filed a grievance challenging JCP&L's 2002 call-out procedure that required bargaining unit employees to respond to emergency power outages. On May 20, 2004, an arbitration panel concluded that the call-out procedure violated the parties' collective bargaining agreement. At the conclusion of the June 1, 2005 hearing, the arbitration panel decided not to hear testimony on damages and closed the proceedings. On September 9, 2005, the arbitration panel issued an opinion to award approximately $16 million to the bargaining unit employees. On February 6, 2006, a federal district courtCourt granted a union motion to dismiss, as premature, a JCP&L appeal of the award filed on October 18, 2005. A final order identifying the individual damage amounts was issued on October 31, 2007. The award appeal process was initiated. The union filed a motion with the federal courtCourt to confirm the award and JCP&L filed its answer and counterclaim to vacate the award on December 31, 2007. JCP&L and the union filed briefs in June and July of 2008 and oral arguments were held in the fall. The court held a scheduling conference in April 2008 where it set a briefing schedule with all briefsCourt has yet to be concluded by July 2008.render its decision. JCP&L recognized a liability for the potential $16 million award in 2005.

The union employees at the Bruce Mansfield Plant have been working without a labor contract since February 15, 2008. The parties are continuing to bargain with the assistance of a federal mediator. FirstEnergy has a strike mitigation plan ready in the event of a strike.

FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 
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11.12.  REGULATORY MATTERS

(A)    RELIABILITY INITIATIVES

In late 2003 and early 2004, a series of letters, reports and recommendations were issued from various entities, including governmental, industry and ad hoc reliability entities (PUCO,(the PUCO, the FERC, the NERC and the U.S. – Canada Power System Outage Task Force) regarding enhancements to regional reliability. The proposed enhancements were divided into two groups:  enhancements that were to be completed in 2004; and enhancements that were to be completed after 2004.  In 2004, FirstEnergy completed all of the enhancements that were recommended for completion in 2004. FirstEnergy is also proceeding with the implementation of the recommendations that were to be completed subsequent to 2004 and will continue to periodically assess the FERC-ordered Reliability Study recommendations for forecasted 2009 system conditions, recognizing revised load forecasts and other changing system conditions which may impact the recommendations. Thus far, implementation of the recommendations has not required, nor is expected to require, substantial investment in new or material upgrades to existing equipment. The FERC or other applicable government agencies and reliability coordinators may, however, take a different view as to recommended enhancements or may recommend additional enhancements in the future that could require additional material expenditures.

As a result of outages experienced in JCP&L’s service area in 2002 and 2003, the NJBPU performed a review of JCP&L’s service reliability. On June 9, 2004, the NJBPU approved a stipulation that addresses a third-party consultant’s recommendations on appropriate courses of action necessary to ensure system-wide reliability. The stipulation incorporates the consultant’s focused audit of, and recommendations regarding, JCP&L’s Planning and Operations and Maintenance programs and practices. On June 1, 2005, the consultant completed his work and issued his final report to the NJBPU. On July 14, 2006, JCP&L filed a comprehensive response to the consultant’s report with the NJBPU. JCP&L will complete the remaining substantive work described in the stipulation in 2008.  JCP&L continues to file compliance reports with the NJBPU reflecting JCP&L’s activities associated with implementing the stipulation.

In 2005, Congress amended the Federal Power Act to provide for federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards. The mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk power system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the CompaniesUtilities and ATSI. The NERC is charged with establishing and enforcing these reliability standards, although it has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of its responsibilities to eight regional entities, including the ReliabilityFirst Corporation.  All of FirstEnergy’s facilities are located within the ReliabilityFirst region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and ReliabilityFirst stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards.

FirstEnergy believes that it is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards.  Nevertheless, it is clear that the NERC, ReliabilityFirst and the FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time. However, the 2005 amendments to the Federal Power Act provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the new reliability standards be recovered in rates. Still, any future inability on FirstEnergy’s part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties and thus have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2007, ReliabilityFirst performed a routine compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the Midwest ISO region and found it to be in full compliance with all audited reliability standards.  Similarly, ReliabilityFirst has scheduled a compliance audit of FirstEnergy’s bulk-power system within the PJM region in October 2008. FirstEnergy currently does not expect any material adverse financial impact as a result of these audits.

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(B)    OHIO

On January 4, 2006, the PUCO issued an order authorizing the Ohio Companies to recover certain increased fuel costs through a fuel rider and to defer certain other increased fuel costs to be incurred from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008, including interest on the deferred balances. The order also provided for recovery of the deferred costs over a twenty-five-year period through distribution rates. On August 29, 2007, the Supreme Court of Ohio concluded that the PUCO violated a provision of the Ohio Revised Code by permitting the Ohio Companies “to collect deferred increased fuel costs through future distribution rate cases, or to alternatively use excess fuel-cost recovery to reduce deferred distribution-related expenses” and remanded the matter to the PUCO for further consideration. On September 10, 2007 the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO that requested the implementation of two generation-related fuel cost riders to collect the increased fuel costs that were previously authorized to be deferred. On January 9, 2008 the PUCO approved the Ohio Companies’ proposed fuel cost rider to recover increased fuel costs to be incurred in 2008 commencing January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which is expected to be approximately $189 million. In addition, the PUCO ordered the Ohio Companies to file a separate application for an alternate recovery mechanism to collect the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs. On February 8, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed an application proposing to recover $226 million of deferred fuel costs and carrying charges for 2006 and 2007 pursuant to a separate fuel rider, with alternative options forrider. Recovery of the deferred fuel costs is addressed in the Ohio Companies’ comprehensive ESP filing, as described below. If the recovery period ranging from five to twenty-five years. This second applicationof the deferred fuel costs is currently pending beforenot resolved in the ESP, or in the event the MRO is implemented, recovery of the deferred fuel costs will be resolved in the proceeding that was instituted with the PUCO and a hearing has been set for July 15, 2008.on February 8, 2008, as referenced above.

The
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On June 7, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application and rate request for an increase in electric distribution rates with the PUCO on June 7, 2007. The requested increase is expected to be more than offset by the elimination or reduction of transition charges at the time the rates go into effect and, would result in lowering the overall non-generation portion of the average electric bill for most Ohio customers.  The distribution rate increases reflect capital expenditures since the Ohio Companies’ last distribution rate proceedings, increases in operation and maintenance expenses and recovery of regulatory assets that were authorized in prior cases. Onon August 6, 2007, the Ohio Companies updated their filing supportingto support a distribution rate increase of $332 million. On December 4, 2007, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Reports containing the results of theirits investigation into the distribution rate request. In its reports, the PUCO Staff recommended a distribution rate increase in the range of $161 million to $180 million, with $108 million to $127 million for distribution revenue increases and $53 million for recovery of costs deferred under prior cases. This amount excludes the recovery of deferred fuel costs, whose recovery is now being sought in a separate proceeding before the PUCO, discussed above. On January 3, 2008, the Ohio Companies and intervening parties filed objections to the Staff Reports and on January 10, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed supplemental testimony. Evidentiary hearings began on January 29, 2008 and continued through February 25, 2008. During the evidentiary hearings and filing of briefs, the PUCO Staff submitted testimony decreasingdecreased their recommended revenue increase to a range of $114$117 million to $132$135 million. Additionally, in testimony submitted on February 11, 2008, the PUCO Staff adopted a position regarding interest deferred for RCP-related deferrals, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals that, if upheld by the PUCO, would result in the write-off of approximately $45$58 million of interest costs deferred through March 31,September 30, 2008 ($0.090.12 per share of common stock). The PUCOOhio Companies’ electric distribution rate request is expected to render its decision during the second or third quarter of 2008. The new rates would become effective January 1, 2009 for OE and TE, and approximately May 2009 for CEI.addressed in their comprehensive ESP filing, as described below.

On July 10, 2007, the Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO requesting approval of a comprehensive supply plan for providing retail generation service to customers who do not purchase electricity from an alternative supplier, beginning January 1, 2009. The proposed competitive bidding process would average the results of multiple bidding sessions conducted at different times during the year. The final price per KWH would reflect an average of the prices resulting from all bids. In their filing, the Ohio Companies offered two alternatives for structuring the bids, either by customer class or a “slice-of-system” approach. A slice-of-system approach would require the successful bidder to be responsible for supplying a fixed percentage of the utility’s total load notwithstanding the customer’s classification. The proposal provides the PUCO with an option to phase in generation price increases for residential tariff groups who would experience a change in their average total price of 15 percent or more. The PUCO held a technical conference on August 16, 2007 regarding the filing. Initial and reply comments on the proposal were filed by various parties in September and October 2007, respectively. The proposal is currently pending before the PUCO.

On April 22, 2008, an amended version of Substitute SB221 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and sent back to the Ohio Senate for concurrence. On April 23, 2008, the Ohio Senate approved the House's amendments to Substitute SB221 and forwarded the bill to the Governor for signature, which he signed on May 1, 2008, Governor Strickland signed SB221, which became effective on July 31, 2008. Amended Substitute SB221The bill requires all electric distribution utilities to file an RSP, now called an ESP with the PUCO. AnA utility also may file an MRO in which it would have to prove the following objective market criteria:

·  the utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC approved RTO, or there is comparable and nondiscriminatory access to the electric transmission grid;

·  the RTO has a market-monitor function and the ability to mitigate market power or the utility’s market conduct, or a similar market monitoring function exists with the ability to identify and monitor market conditions and conduct; and

·  a published source of information is available publicly or through subscription that identifies pricing information for traded electricity products, both on- and off-peak, scheduled for delivery two years into the future.

On July 31, 2008, the Ohio Companies filed with the PUCO a comprehensive ESP and MRO. The MRO outlines a CBP that would be implemented if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO. Under SB221, a PUCO ruling on the ESP filing is required within 150 days and an MRO decision is required within 90 days. The ESP proposes to containphase in new generation rates for customers beginning in 2009 for up to a proposal forthree-year period and would resolve the supplyOhio Companies’ collection of fuel costs deferred in 2006 and pricing of retail generation2007, and may include proposals, without limitation, related to one or morethe distribution rate request described above. Major provisions of the following:ESP include:

·  a phase-in of new generation rates for up to a three-year period, whereby customers would receive a 10% phase-in credit; related costs (expected to approximate $429 million in 2009, $488 million in 2010 and $553 million in 2011) would be deferred for future collection over a period not to exceed 10 years;

·  a reconcilable rider to recover fuel transportation cost surcharges in excess of $30 million in 2009, $20 million in 2010 and $10 million in 2011;

·  generation rate adjustments to recover any increase in fuel costs in 2011 over fuel costs incurred in 2010 for FES’ generation assets used to support the ESP;

·  generation rate adjustments to recover the costs of complying with new requirements for certain renewable energy resources, new taxes and new environmental laws or new interpretations of existing laws that take effect after January 1, 2008 and exceed $50 million during the plan period;

·  an RCP fuel rider to recover the 2006 and 2007 deferred fuel costs and carrying charges (described above) over a period not to exceed 25 years;

·  the resolution of outstanding issues pending in the Ohio Companies’ distribution rate case (described above), including annual electric distribution rate increases of $75 million for OE, $34.5 million for CEI and $40.5 million for TE. The new distribution rates would be effective January 1, 2009, for OE and TE and May 1, 2009 for CEI, with a commitment to maintain distribution rates through 2013. CEI also would be authorized to defer $25 million in distribution-related costs incurred from January 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009;

·  an adjustable delivery service improvement rider, effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2013, to ensure the Ohio Companies maintain and improve customer standards for service and reliability;

·  the waiver of RTC charges for CEI’s customers as of January 1, 2009, which would result in CEI’s write-off of approximately $485 million of estimated unrecoverable transition costs ($1.01 per share of common stock);

 
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·  automatic
the continued recovery of prudentlytransmission costs, including MISO, ancillary services and congestion charges, through an annually adjusted transmission rider; a separate rider will be established to recover costs incurred fuel, purchased power, emission allowanceannually between May 1st and September 30th for capacity purchases required to meet FERC, NERC, MISO and other applicable standards for planning reserve margin requirements in excess of amounts provided by FES as described in the ESP (the separate application for the recovery of these costs and federally mandated energy taxes;was filed on October 17, 2008);

·  construction worka deferred transmission cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010 to recover transmission costs deferred by the Ohio Companies in progress for2005 and accumulated carrying charges through December 31, 2008; a deferred distribution cost recovery rider effective January 1, 2011, to recover distribution costs deferred under the RCP, CEI’s additional $25 million of constructing an electric generating facility or environmental expenditure for any electric generating facility;cost deferrals in 2009, line extension deferrals and transition tax deferrals;

·  the deferral of annual storm damage expenses in excess of $13.9 million, certain line extension costs, of an electric generating facility;

·  terms relatedas well as depreciation, property tax obligations and post in-service carrying charges on energy delivery capital investments for reliability and system efficiency placed in service after December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2014, a rider will be established to customer shopping, bypassability, standby, back-upcollect the deferred balance and default service;

·  accounting for deferrals related to stabilizing retail electric service;

·  automatic increases or decreases in standard service offer price;

·  phase-in and securitization;

·  transmission service and related costs;

·  distribution service and related costs;associated carrying charges over a 10-year period; and

·  a commitment by the Ohio Companies to invest in aggregate at least $1 billion in capital improvements in their energy delivery systems through 2013 and fund $25 million for energy efficiency programs and $25 million for economic development and energy efficiency.job retention programs through 2013.

Evidentiary hearings in the ESP case concluded on October 31, 2008 and no further hearings are scheduled. The parties are required to submit initial briefs by November 21, 2008, with all reply briefs due by December 12, 2008.
A utility
The Ohio Companies’ MRO filing outlines a CBP for providing retail generation supply if the ESP is not approved by the PUCO or is changed and not accepted by the Ohio Companies. The CBP would use a “slice-of-system” approach where suppliers bid on tranches (approximately 100 MW) of the Ohio Companies’ total customer load. If the Ohio Companies proceed with the MRO option, successful bidders (including affiliates) would be required to post independent credit requirements and could also simultaneously file an MRO in which it would havebe subject to demonstratesignificant collateral calls depending upon power price movement. On September 16, 2008, the following objective market criteria: The utility or its transmission service affiliate belongs to a FERC-approved RTO having a market-monitor functionPUCO staff filed testimony and the ability to mitigate market power, and a published source exists that identifies information for traded electricity and energy products that are contracted for delivery two years into the future.evidentiary hearings were held. The PUCO would testfailed to act on October 29, 2008 as required under the statute.  The Ohio Companies are unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding.

The Ohio Companies included an interim pricing proposal as part of their ESP filing, if additional time is necessary for final PUCO approval of either the ESP and its pricing and all other terms and conditions againstor MRO. FES will be required to obtain FERC authorization to sell electric capacity or energy to the MRO and may only approveOhio Companies under the ESP if itor MRO, unless a waiver is found to be more favorable to customers. As part of an ESP with a plan period longer than three years, the PUCO shall prospectively determine every fourth year of the plan whether it is substantially likely the plan will provide the electric distribution utility a return on common equity significantly in excess of the return likely to be earned by publicly traded companies, including utilities, that face comparable business and financial risk (comparable companies)obtained (see FERC Matters). If so, the PUCO may terminate the ESP. Annually under an ESP, the PUCO shall determine whether an electric distribution utility's earned return on common equity is significantly in excess of returns earned on common equity during the same period by comparable companies, and if so, shall require the utility to return such excess to customers by prospective adjustments. Amended Substitute SB221 also includes provisions dealing with advanced and renewable energy standards that contemplate 25% of electrical usage from these sources by 2025. Energy efficiency measures in the bill require energy savings in excess of 22% by 2025. Requirements are in place to meet annual benchmarks for renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, subject to review by the PUCO. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating this legislation and expects to file an ESP in the second or third quarter of 2008.

(C)    PENNSYLVANIA

Met-Ed and Penelec purchase a portion of their PLR and default service requirements from FES through a fixed-price partial requirements wholesale power sales agreement. The agreement allows Met-Ed and Penelec to sell the output of NUG energy to the market and requires FES to provide energy at fixed prices to replace any NUG energy sold to the extent needed for Met-Ed and Penelec to satisfy their PLR and default service obligations. The fixed price under the agreement is expected to remain below wholesale market prices during the term of the agreement. If Met-Ed and Penelec were to replace the entire FES supply at current market power prices without corresponding regulatory authorization to increase their generation prices to customers, each company would likely incur a significant increase in operating expenses and experience a material deterioration in credit quality metrics. Under such a scenario, each company's credit profile would no longer be expected to support an investment grade rating for their fixed income securities. Based on the PPUC’s January 11, 2007 order described below, if FES ultimately determines to terminate, reduce, or significantly modify the agreement prior to the expiration of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation rate caps in 2010, timely regulatory relief is not likely to be granted by the PPUC. See FERC Matters below for a description of the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, executed by the parties on October 31, 2008, that limits the amount of energy and capacity FES must supply to Met-Ed and Penelec. In the event of a third party supplier default, the increased costs to Met-Ed and Penelec could be material.

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Met-Ed and Penelec made a comprehensive transition rate filing with the PPUC on April 10, 2006 to address a number of transmission, distribution and supply issues. If Met-Ed's and Penelec's preferred approach involving accounting deferrals had been approved, annual revenues would have increased by $216 million and $157 million, respectively. That filing included, among other things, a request to charge customers for an increasing amount of market-priced power procured through a CBP as the amount of supply provided under the then existing FES agreement was to be phased out. Met-Ed and Penelec also requested approval of a January 12, 2005 petition for the deferral of transmission-related costs incurred during 2006. In this rate filing, Met-Ed and Penelec requested recovery of annual transmission and related costs incurred on or after January 1, 2007, plus the amortized portion of 2006 costs over a ten-year period, along with applicable carrying charges, through an adjustable rider. Changes in the recovery of NUG expenses and the recovery of Met-Ed's non-NUG stranded costs were also included in the filing. On May 4, 2006, the PPUC consolidated the remand of the FirstEnergy and GPU merger proceeding, related to the quantification and allocation of merger savings, with the comprehensive transition rate filing case.

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The PPUC entered its opinion and order in the comprehensive rate filing proceeding on January 11, 2007. The order approved the recovery of transmission costs, including the transmission-related deferral for January 1, 2006 through January 10, 2007, and determined that no merger savings from prior years should be considered in determining customers’ rates. The request for increases in generation supply rates was denied as were the requested changes to NUG expense recovery and Met-Ed’s non-NUG stranded costs. The order decreased Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s distribution rates by $80 million and $19 million, respectively. These decreases were offset by the increases allowed for the recovery of transmission costs. Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s request for recovery of Saxton decommissioning costs was granted and, in January 2007, Met-Ed and Penelec recognized income of $15 million and $12 million, respectively, to establish regulatory assets for those previously expensed decommissioning costs. Overall rates increased by 5.0% for Met-Ed ($59 million) and 4.5% for Penelec ($50 million).

On March 30, 2007, MEIUG and PICA filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania asking the courtCourt to review the PPUC’s determination on transmission (including congestion) and the transmission deferral. Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition for Review on April 13, 2007 on the issues of consolidated tax savings and the requested generation rate increase. The OCA filed its Petition for Review on April 13, 2007, on the issues of transmission (including congestion) and recovery of universal service costs from only the residential rate class. From June through October 2007, initial responsive and reply briefs were filed by various parties. Oral arguments are scheduled to take placeThe Commonwealth Court issued its decision on November 7, 2008, which affirmed the PPUC's January 11, 2007 order in September 2008. If Met-Edall respects, including the deferral and Penelec do not prevail on the issuerecovery of transmission and congestion it could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations of Met-Ed, Penelec and FirstEnergy.related costs.

On April 14,May 22, 2008, the PPUC approved the Met-Ed and Penelec filed annual updates to the TSC rider for the period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009. Various intervenors filed complaints against Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s TSC filings.  In addition, the PPUC ordered an investigation to review the reasonableness of Met-Ed’s TSC, while at the same time allowing the company to implement the rider June 1, 2008, subject to refund. On July 15, 2008, the PPUC directed the ALJ to consolidate the complaints against Met-Ed with its investigation and a litigation schedule was adopted with hearings for both companies scheduled to begin in January 2009. The proposed TSCs include a component for under-recovery of actual transmission costs incurred during the prior period (Met-Ed - $144 million and Penelec - $4 million) and future transmission cost projections for June 2008 through May 2009 (Met-Ed - $258 million and Penelec - $92 million). Met-Ed has proposedreceived approval from the PPUC of a transition approach that would recover past under-recovered costs plus carrying charges through the new TSC over thirty-one months and defer a portion of the projected costs ($92 million) plus carrying charges for recovery through future TSCs by December 31, 2010.

On March 13, 2008, the PPUC approved the residential procurement process in Penn’s Joint Petition for Settlement. This RFP process calls for load-following, full-requirements contracts for default service procurement for residential customers for the period covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2011. The PPUC had previously approved the default service procurement processes for commercial and industrial customers. The default service procurement for small commercial customers was conducted through multiple RFPs, while the default service procurement for large commercial and industrial customers will utilize hourly pricing. Bids in the two RFPs for small commercial load were approved by the PPUC on February 22, 2008, and March 20, 2008. On March 28, 2008, Penn filed compliance tariffs with the new default service generation rates based on the approved RFP bids for small commercial customers which the PPUC then certified on April 4, 2008. On April 14, 2008, the first RFP for residential customers’ load was held consisting of tranches for both 12 and 24-month supply. The PPUC approved the bids on April 16, 2008. The second RFP is scheduled to be held on May 14, 2008, after which time the PPUC is expected to approve the new rates to go into effect June 1, 2008.

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On February 1, 2007, the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed an EIS. The EIS includes four pieces of proposed legislation that, according to the Governor, is designed to reduce energy costs, promote energy independence and stimulate the economy. Elements of the EIS include the installation of smart meters, funding for solar panels on residences and small businesses, conservation and demand reduction programs to meet energy growth, a requirement that electric distribution companies acquire power that results in the “lowest reasonable rate on a long-term basis,” the utilization of micro-grids and a three year phase-in of rate increases. On July 17, 2007 the Governor signed into law two pieces of energy legislation. The first amended the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 to, among other things, increase the percentage of solar energy that must be supplied at the conclusion of an electric distribution company’s transition period. The second law allows electric distribution companies, at their sole discretion, to enter into long term contracts with large customers and to build or acquire interests in electric generation facilities specifically to supply long-term contracts with such customers. A special legislative session on energy was convened in mid-September 2007 to consider other aspects of the EIS. The Pennsylvania House and Senate on March 11, 2008 and December 12, 2007, respectively, passed different versions of bills to fund the Governor’s EIS proposal. Neither chamber has formally consideredAs part of the other’s bill.2008 state budget negotiations, the Alternative Energy Investment Act was enacted creating a $650 million alternative energy fund to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.  On February 12,October 8, 2008, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 2200 as amended, was voted out of the full Senate and adopted by the House. On October 15, 2008, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 2200 into law which provides forbecomes effective on November 14, 2008 as Act 129 of 2008.  The bill addresses issues such as: energy efficiency and demand management programs and targets as well as the installation ofpeak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters within ten years. Otherand alternative energy.  Act 129 requires utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan by July 1, 2009 and a smart meter procurement and installation plan by August 14, 2009.

Major provisions of the legislation has been introduced to address generationinclude:

·  power acquired by utilities to serve customers after rate caps expire will be procured through a competitive procurement process that must include a mix of long-term and short-term contracts and spot market purchases;

·  the competitive procurement process must be approved by the PPUC and may include auctions, request for proposals, and/or bilateral agreements;

·  utilities must provide for the installation of smart meter technology within 15 years;

·  a minimum reduction in peak demand of 4.5% by May 31, 2013;


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·  minimum reductions in energy consumption of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively; and

·  an expanded definition of alternative energy to include additional types of hydroelectric and biomass facilities.

The current legislative session ends on November 30, 2008, and any pending legislation addressing rate mitigation and the expiration of rate caps conservationnot enacted by that time must be re-introduced in order to be considered in the next legislative session which begins in January 2009.  While the form and renewable energy. The final formimpact of this pendingsuch legislation is uncertain. Consequently, FirstEnergy is unableuncertain, several legislators and the Governor have indicated their intent to predict what impact, if any, such legislation may haveaddress these issues next year.

On September 25, 2008, Met-Ed and Penelec filed for Commission approval of a Voluntary Prepayment Plan that would provide an opportunity for residential and small commercial customers to pre-pay an amount, which would earn interest at 7.5%, on its operations.their monthly electric bills in 2009 and 2010, to be used to reduce electric rates in 2011 and 2012. Met-Ed and Penelec also intend to file a generation procurement plan for 2011 and beyond with the PPUC later this year or early next year. Met-Ed and Penelec requested that the PPUC approve the Plan by mid-December 2008 and are currently awaiting a decision.

(D)    NEW JERSEY

JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers and costs incurred under NUG agreements exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUGC rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the accumulated deferred cost balance totaled approximately $264$210 million.

In accordance with an April 28, 2004 NJBPU order, JCP&L filed testimony on June 7, 2004 supporting continuation of the current level and duration of the funding of TMI-2 decommissioning costs by New Jersey customers without a reduction, termination or capping of the funding. On September 30, 2004, JCP&L filed an updated TMI-2 decommissioning study. This study resulted in an updated total decommissioning cost estimate of $729 million (in 2003 dollars) compared to the estimated $528 million (in 2003 dollars) from the prior 1995 decommissioning study. The DRA filed comments on February 28, 2005 requesting that decommissioning funding be suspended. On March 18, 2005, JCP&L filed a response to those comments. JCP&L responded to additional NJBPU staff discovery requests in May and November 2007 and also submitted comments in the proceeding in November 2007. A schedule for further NJBPU proceedings has not yet been set.

On August 1, 2005, the NJBPU established a proceeding to determine whether additional ratepayer protections are required at the state level in light of the repeal of the PUHCA pursuant to the EPACT. The NJBPU approved regulations effective October 2, 2006 that prevent a holding company that owns a gas or electric public utility from investing more than 25% of the combined assets of its utility and utility-related subsidiaries into businesses unrelated to the utility industry. These regulations are not expected to materially impact FirstEnergy or JCP&L. Also, in the same proceeding, the NJBPU Staff issued an additional draft proposal on March 31, 2006 addressing various issues including access to books and records, ring-fencing, cross subsidization, corporate governance and related matters. With the approval of the NJBPU Staff, the affected utilities jointly submitted an alternative proposal on June 1, 2006. The NJBPU Staff circulated revised drafts of the proposal to interested stakeholders in November 2006 and again in February 2007. On February 1, 2008, the NJBPU accepted proposed rules for publication in the New Jersey Register on March 17, 2008. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held on April 23, 2008 withand comments from interested parties due onwere submitted by May 16,19, 2008.

New Jersey statutes require that the state periodically undertake a planning process, known as the EMP, to address energy related issues including energy security, economic growth, and environmental impact. The EMP is to be developed with involvement of the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and is to be prepared by a Master Plan Committee, which is chaired by the NJBPU President and includes representatives of several State departments. In October 2006, the current EMP process was initiated through the creation of a number of working groups to obtain input from a broad range of interested stakeholders including utilities, environmental groups, customer groups, and major customers. In addition, public stakeholder meetings were held in 2006, 2007 and the fallfirst half of 2006 and in early 2007.2008.

On April 17, 2008, a draft EMP was released for public comment. The draftfinal EMP was issued on October 22, 2008 and establishes fourfive major goals:

·  maximize energy efficiency to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020;

·  reduce peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020 (amounting to about a 22% reduction in projected demand);2020;

·  meet 30% of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;

 
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·  meet 22.5% ofexamine smart grid technology and develop additional cogeneration and other generation resources consistent with the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2020;greenhouse gas targets; and

·  develop low carbon emitting, efficient power plantsinvest in innovative clean energy technologies and closebusinesses to stimulate the gap between the supply and demand for electricity.industry’s growth in New Jersey.

Following the public comment period which is expected to extend into July 2008, aThe final EMP will be issued to be followed by appropriate legislation and regulation as necessary. At this time, FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this process nor determine the impact, if any, such legislation or regulation may have on its operations or those of JCP&L.

On February 13, 2007, the NJBPU Staff informally issued a draft proposal relating to changes to the regulations addressing electric distribution service reliability and quality standards. Meetings between the NJBPU Staff and interested stakeholders to discuss the proposal were held and additional, revised informal proposals were subsequently circulated by the Staff. On September 4, 2007, proposed regulations were published in the New Jersey Register, which proposal will be subsequently considered by the NJBPU following comments that were submitted in September and October 2007. Final regulations (effective upon publication) were published in the New Jersey Register March 17, 2008. Upon preliminary review of the new regulations, FirstEnergy does not expect a material impact on its operations or those of JCP&L.

(E)    FERC MATTERS

Transmission Service between MISO and PJM

On November 18, 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate so-called “pancaking” ofmultiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered the MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as the Seams Elimination Cost Adjustment or “SECA”) during a 16-month transition period. The FERC issued orders in 2005 setting the SECA for hearing. The presiding judge issued an initial decision on August 10, 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision is subject to review and approval by the FERC. Briefs addressing the initial decision were filed on September 11, 2006 and October 20, 2006. A final order could be issued by the FERC by year-end 2008.  In the meantime, FirstEnergy affiliates have been negotiating and entering into settlement agreements with other parties in the second quarterdocket to mitigate the risk of 2008.lower transmission revenue collection associated with an adverse order.  On September 26, 2008, the MISO and PJM transmission owners filed a motion requesting that the FERC approve the pending settlements and act on the initial decision.

PJM Transmission Rate Design

On January 31, 2005, certain PJM transmission owners made filings with the FERC pursuant to a settlement agreement previously approved by the FERC. JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec were parties to that proceeding and joined in two of the filings. In the first filing, the settling transmission owners submitted a filing justifying continuation of their existing rate design within the PJM RTO. Hearings were held and numerous parties appeared and litigated various issues concerning PJM rate design; notably AEP, which proposed to create a "postage stamp", or average rate for all high voltage transmission facilities across PJM and a zonal transmission rate for facilities below 345 kV. This proposal would have the effect of shifting recovery of the costs of high voltage transmission lines to other transmission zones, including those where JCP&L, Met-Ed, and Penelec serve load. On April 19, 2007, the FERC issued an order finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, the FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a “beneficiary pays” basis. The FERC found that PJM’s current beneficiary-pays cost allocation methodology is not sufficiently detailed and, in a related order that also was issued on April 19, 2007, directed that hearings be held for the purpose of establishing a just and reasonable cost allocation methodology for inclusion in PJM’s tariff.

On May 18, 2007, certain parties filed for rehearing of the FERC’s April 19, 2007 order. On January 31, 2008, the requests for rehearing were denied. The FERC’s orders on PJM rate design will prevent the allocation of a portion of the revenue requirement of existing transmission facilities of other utilities to JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec. In addition, the FERC’s decision to allocate the cost of new 500 kV and above transmission facilities on a PJM-wide basis will reduce the costs of future transmission revenue recoveryto be recovered from the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec zones. A partial settlement agreement addressing the “beneficiary pays” methodology for below 500 kV facilities, but excluding the issue of allocating new facilities costs to merchant transmission entities, was filed on September 14, 2007. The agreement was supported by the FERC’s Trial Staff, and was certified by the Presiding Judge. The FERC’s action onJudge to the FERC. On July 29, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally approving the settlement agreement is pending.subject to the submission of a compliance filing.  The compliance filing was submitted on August 29, 2008, and the FERC issued an order accepting the compliance filing on October 15, 2008.  The remaining merchant transmission cost allocation issues will proceed towere the subject of a hearing at the FERC in May 2008.  An initial decision was issued by the Presiding Judge on September 18, 2008.  PJM and FERC trial staff each filed a Brief on Exceptions to the initial decision on October 20, 2008.  Briefs Opposing Exceptions are due on November 10, 2008. On February 13,11, 2008, AEP appealed the FERC’s April 19, 2007 and January 31, 2008 orders to the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the PUCO and Dayton Power & Light have also appealed these orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals of these parties and others have been consolidated for argument in the Seventh Circuit.

 
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Post Transition Period Rate Design

The FERC had directed MISO, PJM, and the respective transmission owners to make filings on or before August 1, 2007 to reevaluate transmission rate design within MISO, and between MISO and PJM. On August 1, 2007, filings were made by MISO, PJM, and the vast majority of transmission owners, including FirstEnergy affiliates, which proposed to retain the existing transmission rate design. These filings were approved by the FERC on January 31, 2008. As a result of the FERC’s approval, the rates charged to FirstEnergy’s load-serving affiliates for transmission service over existing transmission facilities in MISO and PJM are unchanged. In a related filing, MISO and MISO transmission owners requested that the current MISO pricing for new transmission facilities that spreads 20% of the cost of new 345 kV and higher transmission facilities across the entire MISO footprint (known as the RECB methodology) be retained.

On September 17, 2007, AEP filed a complaint under Sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act seeking to have the entire transmission rate design and cost allocation methods used by MISO and PJM declared unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory, and to have the FERC fix a uniform regional transmission rate design and cost allocation method for the entire MISO and PJM “Super Region” that recovers the average cost of new and existing transmission facilities operated at voltages of 345 kV and above from all transmission customers. Lower voltage facilities would continue to be recovered in the local utility transmission rate zone through a license plate rate. AEP requested a refund effective October 1, 2007, or alternatively, February 1, 2008. On January 31, 2008, the FERC issued an order denying the complaint. The effect of this order is to prevent the shift of significant costs to the FirstEnergy zones in MISO and PJM. A rehearing request by AEP is pending before the FERC.

Distribution of MISO Network Service Revenues

Effective February 1, 2008, the MISO Transmission Owners Agreement provides for a change in the method of distributing transmission revenues among the transmission owners. MISO and a majority of the MISO transmission owners filed on December 3, 2007 to change the MISO tariff to clarify, for purposes of distributing network transmission revenue to the transmission owners, that all network transmission service revenues, whether collected by MISO or directly by the transmission owner, are included in the revenue distribution calculation.  This clarification was necessary because some network transmission service revenues are collected and retained by transmission owners in states where retail choice does not exist, and their “unbundled” retail load is currently exempt from MISO network service charges. The tariff changes filed with the FERC ensure that revenues collected by transmission owners from bundled load are taken into account in the revenue distribution calculation, and that transmission owners with bundled load do not collect more than their revenue requirements. Absent the changes, transmission owners, and ultimately their customers, with unbundled load or in retail choice states, such as ATSI, would subsidize transmission owners with bundled load, who would collect their revenue requirement from bundled load, plus share in revenues collected by MISO from unbundled customers. This would result in a large revenue shortfall for ATSI, which would eventually be passed on to customers in the form of higher transmission rates as calculated pursuant to ATSI’s Attachment O formula under the MISO tariff.

Numerous parties filed in support of the tariff changes, including the public service commissions of Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Ameren filed a protest on December 26, 2007, arguing that the December 3, 2007 filing violates the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement as well as an agreement among Ameren (Union Electric), MISO, and the Missouri Public Service Commission, which provides that Union Electric’s bundled load cannot be charged by MISO for network service. On February 2, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the tariff amendment subject to a minor compliance filing, which was made on March 3, 2008. This order ensures that ATSI will continue to receive transmission revenues from MISO equivalent to its transmission revenue requirement. A rehearing request by Ameren is pending before the FERC.

On February 1, 2008, MISO filed a request to continue using the existing revenue distribution methodology on an interim basis pending amendment of the MISO Transmission Owners’ Agreement. This request was accepted by the FERC on March 13, 2008. On that same day, MISO and the MISO transmission owners made a filing to amend the Transmission Owners’ Agreement to effectively continue the distribution of transmission revenues that was in effect prior to February 1, 2008. This matter is currently pending before the FERC.

MISO Ancillary Services Market and Balancing Area Consolidation

MISO made a filing on September 14, 2007 to establish an ASM for regulation, spinning and supplemental reserves, to consolidate the existing 24 balancing areas within the MISO footprint, and to establish MISO as the NERC registered balancing authority for the region. This filingThese markets would permit load servinggenerators to sell, and load-serving entities to purchase, their operating reserve requirements in a competitive market. FirstEnergy supports the proposal to establish markets for Ancillary Services and consolidate existing balancing areas. On February 25, 2008, the FERC issued an order approving the ASM subject to certain compliance filings. MISO has since notifiedNumerous parties filed requests for rehearing on March 26, 2008. On June 23, 2008, the FERC that the start of its ASM is delayed until September of 2008.issued an order granting in part and denying in part rehearing.

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On February 29, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing setting forth MISO’s Readiness Advisor ASM and Consolidated Balancing Authority Initiative Verification plan and status and Real-Time Operations ASM Reversion plan. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On March 26, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 30-day directives in the February 25 order. Numerous parties submitted comments and protests on April 16, 2008. The FERC issued an order accepting the revisions pending further compliance on June 23, 2008. On April 25, 2008, MISO submitted a tariff filing in compliance with the FERC’s 60-day directives in the February 25 order. FERC action on this compliance filing remains pending. On May 23, 2008, MISO submitted its amended Balancing Authority Agreement. On July 21, 2008, the FERC issued an order conditionally accepting the amended Balancing Authority Agreement and requiring a further compliance filing. On August 19, 2008, MISO submitted its compliance filing to the FERC. On July 25, 2008, MISO submitted another Readiness Certification.  The FERC has not yet acted on this submission.  MISO announced on August 26, 2008 that the startup of its market is postponed indefinitely.  MISO commits to make a filing giving at least sixty days notice of the new effective date. The latest announced effective date for market startup is January 6, 2009.

Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio

On May 29, 2008, TE filed with the FERC a proposed Notice of Cancellation effective midnight December 31, 2008, of the Interconnection Agreement with AMP-Ohio. AMP-Ohio protested this filing. TE also filed a Petition for Declaratory Order seeking a FERC ruling, in the alternative if cancellation is not accepted, of TE's right to file for an increase in rates effective January 1, 2009, for power provided to AMP-Ohio under the Interconnection Agreement. AMP-Ohio filed a pleading agreeing that TE may seek an increase in rates, but arguing that any increase is limited to the cost of generation owned by TE affiliates.  On August 18, 2008, the FERC issued an order that suspended the cancellation of the Agreement for five months, to become effective on June 1, 2009, and established expedited hearing procedures on issues raised in the filing and TE’s Petition for Declaratory Order.   On October 14, 2008, the parties filed a settlement agreement and mutual notice of cancellation of the Interconnection Agreement effective midnight December 31, 2008.  Upon acceptance by the FERC, this filing will terminate the litigation and the Interconnection Agreement, among other effects.

Duquesne’s Request to Withdraw from PJM

On November 8, 2007, Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne) filed a request with the FERC to exit PJM and to join the MISO. In its filing, Duquesne asked the FERC to be relieved of certain capacity payment obligations to PJM for capacity auctions conducted prior to its departure from PJM, but covering service for planning periods through May 31, 2011. Duquesne asserted that its primary reason for exiting PJM is to avoid paying future obligations created by PJM’s forward capacity market. FirstEnergy believes that Duquesne’s filing did not identify or address numerous legal, financial or operational issues that are implicated or affected directly by Duquesne’s proposal. Consequently, FirstEnergy submitted responsive filings that, while conceding Duquesne’s rights to exit PJM, contested various aspects of Duquesne’s proposal. FirstEnergy particularly focused on Duquesne’s proposal that it be allowed to exit PJM without payment of its share of existing capacity market commitments. FirstEnergy also objected to Duquesne’s failure to address the firm transmission service requirements that would be necessary for FirstEnergy to continue to use the Beaver Valley Plant to meet existing commitments in the PJM capacity markets and to serve native load. Other market participants also submitted filings contesting Duquesne’s plans.

On January 17, 2008, the FERC conditionally approved Duquesne’s request to exit PJM. Among other conditions, the FERC obligated Duquesne zone load-serving entities to pay thetheir PJM capacity obligations through May 31, 2011. The FERC’s order took notice of the numerous transmission and other issues raised by FirstEnergy and other parties to the proceeding, but did not provide any responsive rulings or other guidance. Rather, the FERC ordered Duquesne to make a compliance filing in forty-five days detailing how Duquesne will satisfy its obligations under the PJM Transmission Owners’ Agreement. The FERC likewise directed the MISO to submit detailed plans to integrate Duquesne into the MISO. Finally, the FERC directed MISO and PJM to work together to resolve the substantive and procedural issues implicated by Duquesne’s transition into the MISO. These issues remain unresolved. If Duquesne satisfies all of the obligations set by the FERC, its planned transition date is October 9, 2008.

On March 18, 2008, the PJM Power Providers Group filed a request for emergency clarification regarding whether Duquesne-zone generators (including the Beaver Valley Plant) could participate
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FirstEnergy desires to continue to use its Duquesne zone generation resources to serve load in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year. FirstEnergy and the other Duquesne-zone generators filed responsive pleadings.PJM. On April 18, 2008, the FERC issued its Order on Motion for Emergency Clarification whereinon whether Duquesne-zone generators could participate in PJM’s May 2008 auction for the 2011-2012 planning year. In the order, the FERC ruled that although the status of the Duquesne-zone generators will change to “External Resource” upon Duquesne’s exit from PJM, these generators cancould contract with PJM for the transmission reservations necessary to participate in the May 2008 auction. FirstEnergy has complied with the FERC’s order by obtaining executed transmission service agreements for firm point-to-point transmission service for the 2011-2012 delivery year and, as such, FirstEnergy satisfiessatisfied the criteria to bid the Beaver Valley Plant into the May 2008 RPM auction. Notwithstanding these events, on April

The FERC also directed MISO and PJM to resolve the substantive and procedural issues associated with Duquesne’s transition into MISO. As directed, PJM filed thirteen load-serving entity Capacity Payment Agreements and a Capacity Portability Agreement with the FERC. The Capacity Payment Agreements addressed Duquesne Zone load-serving entity obligations through May 31, 2011 with regards to RPM Capacity while the Capacity Portability Agreement addressed operational issues associated with the portability of such capacity. On September 30, 2008, the FERC approved both agreements, subject to conditions, taking notice of many operational and procedural issues brought forth by FirstEnergy and other market participants.

Several issues surrounding Duquesne’s transition into MISO continue to be contested at the FERC. Specifically, Duquesne’s obligation to pay for transmission expansion costs allocated to the Duquesne zone when they were a member of PJM, and other issues in which market participants wish to be held harmless by Duquesne’s transition. FirstEnergy filed for rehearing on these issues on October 3, 2008. Duquesne’s transition into MISO is also contingent upon the start of MISO’s ancillary services market and consolidation of its balancing authorities, currently scheduled for January 6, 2009.

Complaint against PJM RPM Auction

On May 1,30, 2008, certain membersa group of PJM load-serving entities, state commissions, consumer advocates, and trade associations (referred to collectively as the RPM Buyers) filed a complaint at the FERC against PJM alleging that three of the four transitional RPM auctions yielded prices that are unjust and unreasonable under the Federal Power Act. Most of the parties comprising the RPM Buyers group were parties to the settlement approved by the FERC that established the RPM. In the complaint, the RPM Buyers request that the total projected payments to RPM sellers for the three auctions at issue be materially reduced. On July 11, 2008, PJM Power Providers Group filed further pleadingsits answer to the complaint, in which it denied the allegation that the rates are unjust and unreasonable. Also on these issues. On May 2, 2008,that date, FirstEnergy filed a responsive pleading. FirstEnergy is participatingmotion to intervene. 

On September 19, 2008, the FERC denied the RPM Buyers complaint. However, the FERC did grant the RPM Buyers request for a technical conference to review aspects of the RPM. The FERC also ordered PJM to file on or before December 15, 2008, a report on its progress on contemplating adjustments to the RPM as suggested by the Brattle Group in its report reviewing the MayRPM. The technical conference will take place in February, 2009. On October 20, 2008, the RPM auctionBuyers filed a request for rehearing of the 2011-2012 RPM delivery year.FERC’s September 19, 2008 order.

MISO Resource Adequacy Proposal

MISO made a filing on December 28, 2007 that would create an enforceable planning reserve requirement in the MISO tariff for load servingload-serving entities such as the Ohio Companies, Penn Power, and FES. This requirement is proposed to become effective for the planning year beginning June 1, 2009. The filing would permit MISO to establish the reserve margin requirement for load servingload-serving entities based upon a one day loss of load in ten years standard, unless the state utility regulatory agency establishes a different planning reserve for load servingload-serving entities in its state. FirstEnergy generally supportsbelieves the proposal as it promotes a mechanism that will result in long-term commitments from both load-serving entities and resources, including both generation and demand side resources that are necessary for reliable resource adequacy and planning in the MISO footprint. Comments on the filing were filed on January 28, 2008. The FERC conditionally approved MISO’s Resource Adequacy proposal on March 26, 2008.2008, requiring MISO to submit to further compliance filings. Rehearing requests are pending on the FERC’s March 26 Order. AOn May 27, 2008, MISO submitted a compliance filing to address issues associated with planning reserve margins. On June 17, 2008, various parties submitted comments and protests to MISO’s compliance filing. FirstEnergy submitted comments identifying specific issues that must be clarified and addressed. On June 25, 2008, MISO submitted a second compliance filing establishing the enforcement mechanism for the reserve margin requirement is due on or before June 25, 2008.

Organized Wholesale Power Markets

which establishes deficiency payments for load-serving entities that do not meet the resource adequacy requirements. Numerous parties, including FirstEnergy, protested this filing.   On February 21,October 20, 2008, the FERC issued three orders essentially permitting the MISO Resource Adequacy program to proceed with some modifications.  First, the FERC accepted MISO's financial settlement approach for enforcement of Resource Adequacy subject to a NOPR through which it proposes to adoptcompliance filing modifying the cost of new rules that it states will “improve operations in organized electric markets, boost competition and bring additional benefits to consumers.” The proposed rule addresses demand response and market pricing during reserve shortages, long-term power contracting, market-monitoring policies, and responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to stakeholders and customers. FirstEnergy does not believe thatentry penalty. Second, the proposed rule will have a significant impact on its operations. CommentsFERC conditionally accepted MISO's compliance filing on the NOPRqualifications for purchase power agreements to be capacity resources, load forecasting, loss of load expectation, and planning reserve zones. Additional compliance filings were fileddirected on April 18, 2008.accreditation of load modifying resources and price responsive demand. Finally, the FERC largely denied rehearing of its March 26 order with the exception of issues related to behind the meter resources and certain ministerial matters. Issuance of these orders is not expected to delay the June 1, 2009 start date for MISO Resource Adequacy.

 
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12.Organized Wholesale Power Markets

The FERC issued a final rule on October 17, 2008, amending its regulations to “improve the operation of organized wholesale electric markets in the areas of: (1) demand response and market pricing during periods of operating reserve shortage; (2) long-term power contracting; (3) market-monitoring policies; and (4) the responsiveness of RTOs and ISOs to their customers and other stakeholders.” The RTOs and ISOs were directed to submit amendments to their respective tariffs to address these market operation improvements.  The final rule directs RTOs to adopt market rules permitting prices to increase during periods of supply shortages and to permit enhanced participation by demand response resources.  It also codifies and defines for the first time the roles and duties of independent market monitors within RTOs.  Finally, it adopts requirements for enhanced access by stakeholders to RTO boards of directors.  RTOs are directed to make compliance filings six months from the effective date of the final rule.  The final rule is not expected to have any material effect on FirstEnergy's operations within MISO and PJM.

FES Sales to Affiliates

On October 24, 2008, FES, on its own behalf and on behalf of its generation-controlling subsidiaries, filed an application with the FERC seeking a waiver of the affiliate sales restrictions between FES and the Ohio Companies. The purpose of the waiver is to ensure that FES will be able to continue supplying a material portion of the electric load requirements of the Ohio Companies in January 2009 pursuant to either an ESP or MRO as filed with the PUCO. FES previously obtained a similar waiver for electricity sales to its affiliates in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.  A ruling by the FERC is expected the week of December 15, 2008.

On October 31, 2008, FES executed a Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement with Met-Ed, Penelec, and The Waverly Power and Light Company (Waverly) effective November 1, 2008.  The Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement limits the amount of capacity and energy required to be supplied by FES in 2009 and 2010 to roughly two-thirds of these affiliates’ power supply requirements. Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly have committed resources in place for the balance of their expected power supply during 2009 and 2010.  Under the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement, Met-Ed, Penelec, and Waverly are responsible for obtaining additional power supply requirements created by the default or failure of supply of their committed resources. Prices for the power provided by FES were not changed in the Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement.
13.  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS

SFAS 141(R) – “Business Combinations”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), whichwhich: (i) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; (ii) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) attempts to reduce the complexity of existing GAAP related to business combinations. The Standard includes both core principles and pertinent application guidance, eliminating the need for numerous EITF issues and other interpretative guidance. SFAS 141(R) will affect business combinations entered into by FirstEnergy that close after January 1, 2009. In addition, the Standard also affects the accounting for changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties made after January 1, 2009, that were established as part of a business combination prior to the implementation of this Standard. FirstEnergy is currently evaluatingUnder SFAS 141(R), adjustments to the acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position balances occurring outside the measurement period will be recorded as a component of income tax expense, rather than goodwill. The impact of adoptingFirstEnergy’s application of this Standard on its financial statements.in periods after implementation will be dependent upon acquisitions at that time.

SFAS 160 - “Noncontrolling“Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on FirstEnergy’s financial statements.

136



 SFAS 161 - “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161 which requires enhancements to that enhances the current disclosure framework for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Statement requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation. This disclosure is intended to better convey the purpose of derivatives use in terms of the risks that the entity is intending to manage. The FASB believes disclosingthat additional required disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format is designed towill provide a more complete picture of the location in an entity’s financial statements of both the derivative positions existing at period end and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. Disclosing information about credit-risk-related contingent features is designed to provide financial statement users information on the potential effect on an entity’s liquidity from using derivatives. Finally, thisThis Statement also requires cross-referencing within the footnotes which is intended to help users of financial statements locate important information about derivative instruments. The Statement is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FirstEnergy is currently evaluating the impact of adoptingexpects this Standard onto increase its financial statements.disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

13.14.  SEGMENT INFORMATION

FirstEnergy has three reportable operating segments: energy delivery services, competitive energy services and Ohio transitional generation services. The “Other” segment primarily consists of telecommunications services. The assets and revenues for theall other business operations are below the quantifiable threshold for operating segments for separate disclosure as “reportable operating segments.”

The energy delivery services segment designs, constructs, operates and maintains FirstEnergy's regulated transmission and distribution systems and is responsible for the regulated generation commodity operations of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania and New Jersey electric utility subsidiaries. Its revenues are primarily derived from the delivery of electricity, cost recovery of regulatory assets, and default service electric generation sales to non-shopping customers in its Pennsylvania and New Jersey franchise areas. Its results reflect the commodity costs of securing electric generation from FES under partial requirements purchased power agreements and from non-affiliated power suppliers as well as the net PJM transmission expenses related to the delivery of that generation load.

The competitive energy services segment supplies electric power to its electric utility affiliates, provides competitive electricelectricity sales primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Michigan, owns or leases and operates FirstEnergy’s generating facilities and purchases electricity to meet its sales obligations. The segment's net income is primarily derived from the affiliated company PSA sales and the non-affiliated electric generation sales revenues less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission (including congestion) and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO to deliver electricity to the segment’s customers. The segment’s internal revenues represent the affiliated company PSA sales.

116



The Ohio transitional generation services segment represents the regulated generation commodity operations of FirstEnergy’s Ohio electric utility subsidiaries. Its revenues are primarily derived from electric generation sales to non-shopping customers under the PLR obligations of the Ohio Companies. Its results reflect the purchase of electricity from the competitive energy services segment through full-requirements PSA arrangements, the deferral and amortization of certain fuel costs authorized for recovery by the energy delivery services segment and the net MISO transmission revenues and expenses related to the delivery of generation load. This segment’s total assets consist of accounts receivable for generation revenues from retail customers.

Segment Financial Information                
        Ohio          
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional          
  Delivery  Energy  Generation     Reconciling    
Three Months Ended Services  Services  Services  Other  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
March 31, 2008                  
External revenues $2,212  $329  $707  $40  $(11) $3,277 
Internal revenues  -   776   -   -   (776)  - 
Total revenues  2,212   1,105   707   40   (787)  3,277 
Depreciation and amortization  255   53   4   -   5   317 
Investment income  45   (6)  1   -   (23)  17 
Net interest charges  103   27   -   -   41   171 
Income taxes  119   58   15   14   (19)  187 
Net income  179   87   23   22   (35)  276 
Total assets  23,211   8,108   257   281   558   32,415 
Total goodwill  5,582   24   -   -   -   5,606 
Property additions  255   462   -   12   (18)  711 
                         
March 31, 2007                        
External revenues $2,040  $321  $619  $12  $(19) $2,973 
Internal revenues  -   714   -   -   (714)  - 
Total revenues  2,040   1,035   619   12   (733)  2,973 
Depreciation and amortization  220   51   (15)  1   6   263 
Investment income  70   3   1   -   (41)  33 
Net interest charges  107   49   1   2   21   180 
Income taxes  148   65   15   5   (33)  200 
Net income  218   98   24   1   (51)  290 
Total assets  23,526   7,089   246   254   675   31,790 
Total goodwill  5,874   24   -   -   -   5,898 
Property additions  155   124   -   1   16   296 
137


Segment Financial Information                
        Ohio          
  Energy  Competitive  Transitional          
  Delivery  Energy  Generation     Reconciling    
Three Months Ended Services  Services  Services  Other  Adjustments  Consolidated 
  (In millions) 
September 30, 2008                  
External revenues $2,657  $460  $813  $5  $(31) $3,904 
Internal revenues  -   786   -   -   (786)  - 
Total revenues  2,657   1,246   813   5   (817)  3,904 
Depreciation and amortization  286   67   46   1   1   401 
Investment income  48   13   1   -   (22)  40 
Net interest charges  101   31   1   -   44   177 
Income taxes  188   109   14   (46)  (27)  238 
Net income  283   164   19   48   (43)  471 
Total assets  23,088   9,360   270   457   387   33,562 
Total goodwill  5,559   24   -   -   -   5,583 
Property additions  170   285   -   85   20   560 
                         
September 30, 2007                        
External revenues $2,520  $370  $723  $9  $19  $3,641 
Internal revenues  -   806   -   -   (806)  - 
Total revenues  2,520   1,176   723   9   (787)  3,641 
Depreciation and amortization  299   51   (16)  1   8   343 
Investment income  58   5   -   1   (34)  30 
Net interest charges  117   39   -   1   37   194 
Income taxes  175   99   11   (2)  (10)  273 
Net income  269   148   16   6   (26)  413 
Total assets  23,308   7,182   268   232   663   31,653 
Total goodwill  5,585   24   -   -   -   5,609 
Property additions  209   199   -   3   19   430 
                         
Nine Months Ended                        
                         
September 30, 2008                        
External revenues $7,051  $1,164  $2,203  $65  $(57) $10,426 
Internal revenues  -   2,266   -   -   (2,266)  - 
Total revenues  7,051   3,430   2,203   65   (2,323)  10,426 
Depreciation and amortization  782   179   61   2   10   1,034 
Investment income  133   (1)  1   6   (66)  73 
Net interest charges  303   86   1   -   133   523 
Income taxes  436   212   42   (33)  (72)  585 
Net income  655   317   62   96   (120)  1,010 
Total assets  23,088   9,360   270   457   387   33,562 
Total goodwill  5,559   24   -   -   -   5,583 
Property additions  621   1,430   -   106   20   2,177 
                         
September 30, 2007                        
External revenues $6,655  $1,089  $1,968  $29  $(18) $9,723 
Internal revenues  -   2,210   -   -   (2,210)  - 
Total revenues  6,655   3,299   1,968   29   (2,228)  9,723 
Depreciation and amortization  767   153   (80)  3   20   863 
Investment income  190   13   1   1   (112)  93 
Net interest charges  340   131   1   3   97   572 
Income taxes  464   259   46   -   (74)  695 
Net income  695   388   69   13   (124)  1,041 
Total assets  23,308   7,182   268   232   663   31,653 
Total goodwill  5,585   24   -   -   -   5,609 
Property additions  609   462   -   6   50   1,127 

Reconciling adjustments to segment operating results from internal management reporting to consolidated external financial reporting primarily consist of interest expense related to holding company debt, corporate support services revenues and expenses and elimination of intersegment transactions.

14.  SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION
138



15.  SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION

On July 13, 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases. The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty. This transaction is classified as an operating lease under GAAP for FES and FirstEnergy and a financing for FGCO.

The consolidating statements of income for the three monthsthree-month and nine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, consolidating balance sheets as of March 31,September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 for FES (parent and guarantor), FGCO and NGC (non-guarantor) are presented below. Investments in wholly owned subsidiaries are accounted for by FES using the equity method. Results of operations for FGCO and NGC are, therefore, reflected in FES’ investment accounts and earnings as if operating lease treatment was achieved. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and reflect operating lease treatment associated with the 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction.

 
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FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
REVENUES $1,222,783  $574,394  $267,017  $(822,590) $1,241,604 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Fuel  8,177   307,646   34,123   -   349,946 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  221,493   -   -   -   221,493 
Purchased power from affiliates  815,243   7,347   15,821   (822,590)  15,821 
Other operating expenses  35,596   110,701   120,697   12,190   279,184 
Provision for depreciation  1,978   33,432   30,559   (1,336)  64,633 
General taxes  4,829   10,768   6,139   -   21,736 
Total expenses  1,087,316   469,894   207,339   (811,736)  952,813 
   -   -   -   -     
OPERATING INCOME  135,467   104,500   59,678   (10,854)  288,791 
                     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                    
Miscellaneous income (expense), including                    
net income from equity investees  102,777   (515)  13,287   (97,122)  18,427 
Interest expense - affiliates  (120)  (4,963)  (2,932)  -   (8,015)
Interest expense - other  (8,464)  (23,447)  (17,183)  16,325   (32,769)
Capitalized interest  41   11,376   978   -   12,395 
Total other income (expense)  94,234   (17,549)  (5,850)  (80,797)  (9,962)
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  229,701   86,951   53,828   (91,651)  278,829 
                     
INCOME TAXES  44,046   31,863   14,995   2,270   93,174 
                     
NET INCOME $185,655  $55,088  $38,833  $(93,921) $185,655 


FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
REVENUES $1,099,848  $567,701  $325,684  $(894,117) $1,099,116 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Fuel  2,138   291,239   28,312   -   321,689 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  206,724   -   -   -   206,724 
Purchased power from affiliates  891,979   2,138   25,485   (894,117)  25,485 
Other operating expenses  37,596   107,167   139,595   12,188   296,546 
Provision for depreciation  307   26,599   24,194   (1,358)  49,742 
General taxes  5,415   11,570   6,212   -   23,197 
Total expenses  1,144,159   438,713   223,798   (883,287)  923,383 
                     
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)  (44,311)  128,988   101,886   (10,830)  175,733 
                     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                    
Miscellaneous income (expense), including                    
net income from equity investees  121,725   (1,208)  (6,537)  (116,884)  (2,904)
Interest expense to affiliates  (82)  (5,289)  (1,839)  -   (7,210)
Interest expense - other  (3,978)  (25,968)  (11,018)  16,429   (24,535)
Capitalized interest  21   6,228   414   -   6,663 
Total other income (expense)  117,686   (26,237)  (18,980)  (100,455)  (27,986)
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  73,375   102,751   82,906   (111,285)  147,747 
                     
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)  (16,609)  39,285   32,764   2,323   57,763 
                     
NET INCOME $89,984  $63,466  $50,142  $(113,608) $89,984 
 
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FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                              
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOMECONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
                              
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
                              
REVENUES $1,019,387  $551,355  $234,091  $(786,540) $1,018,293  $1,180,449  $496,204  $280,072  $(785,817) $1,170,908 
                                        
EXPENSES:                                        
Fuel  2,367   201,231   29,937   -   233,535   10,944   261,759   29,083   -   301,786 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  186,203   2,367   -   (2,367)  186,203   228,755   -   -   -   228,755 
Purchased power from affiliates  784,172   59,069   17,415   (784,173)  76,483   774,873   57,927   15,525   (785,817)  62,508 
Other operating expenses  51,249   99,095   113,252   -   263,596   41,828   75,985   117,220   -   235,033 
Provision for depreciation  453   24,936   22,621   -   48,010   650   24,669   23,181   -   48,500 
General taxes  4,934   10,568   6,216   -   21,718   5,406   11,788   5,048   -   22,242 
Total expenses  1,029,378   397,266   189,441   (786,540)  829,545   1,062,456   432,128   190,057   (785,817)  898,824 
                                        
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)  (9,991)  154,089   44,650   -   188,748 
OPERATING INCOME  117,993   64,076   90,015   -   272,084 
                                        
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                                        
Miscellaneous income (expense), including                    
Miscellaneous income, including                    
net income from equity investees  113,948   916   5,200   (100,332)  19,732   82,870   2,375   3,935   (76,525)  12,655 
Interest expense to affiliates  -   (24,331)  (5,115)  -   (29,446)
Interest expense - affiliates  (676)  (4,769)  (4,196)  -   (9,641)
Interest expense - other  (1,385)  (6,760)  (9,213)  -   (17,358)  (808)  (21,274)  (9,712)  -   (31,794)
Capitalized interest  5   2,099   1,105   -   3,209   9   3,889   1,233   -   5,131 
Total other income (expense)  112,568   (28,076)  (8,023)  (100,332)  (23,863)  81,395   (19,779)  (8,740)  (76,525)  (23,649)
                                        
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  102,577   126,013   36,627   (100,332)  164,885   199,388   44,297   81,275   (76,525)  248,435 
                                        
INCOME TAXES  73   49,289   13,019   -   62,381   44,624   19,850   29,197   -   93,671 
                                        
NET INCOME $102,504  $76,724  $23,608  $(100,332) $102,504  $154,764  $24,447  $52,078  $(76,525) $154,764 

 
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FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
                
As of March 31, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS               
                
CURRENT ASSETS:               
Cash and cash equivalents $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 
Receivables-                    
Customers  125,116   -   -   -   125,116 
Associated companies  285,350   231,049   96,852   (295,511)  317,740 
Other  1,174   1,050   -       2,224 
Notes receivable from associated companies  668,376   -   69,011   -   737,387 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  2,849   264,501   207,275   -   474,625 
Prepayments and other  107,798   26,208   1,728   -   135,734 
   1,190,665   522,808   374,866   (295,511)  1,792,828 
                     
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:                    
In service  35,302   5,359,381   3,700,973   (391,896)  8,703,760 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  7,810   2,655,103   1,537,747   (168,115)  4,032,545 
   27,492   2,704,278   2,163,226   (223,781)  4,671,215 
Construction work in progress  10,792   881,899   165,389   -   1,058,080 
   38,284   3,586,177   2,328,615   (223,781)  5,729,295 
                     
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:                    
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  -   -   1,263,338   -   1,263,338 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  -   -   62,900   -   62,900 
Investment in associated companies  2,598,022   -   -   (2,598,022)  - 
Other  2,529   21,657   202   -   24,388 
   2,600,551   21,657   1,326,440   (2,598,022)  1,350,626 
                     
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:                    
Accumulated deferred income taxes  10,518   495,131   -   (248,666)  256,983 
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies  -   67,256   -   -   67,256 
Goodwill  24,248       -   -   24,248 
Property taxes  -   25,007   22,767   -   47,774 
Pension assets  3,214   12,856   -   -   16,070 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  -   38,120   -   47,575   85,695 
Other  18,177   49,393   5,188   (37,939)  34,819 
   56,157   687,763   27,955   (239,030)  532,845 
  $3,885,657  $4,818,405  $4,057,876  $(3,356,344) $9,405,594 
                     
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION                    
                     
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                    
Currently payable long-term debt $-  $738,087  $887,265  $(16,896) $1,608,456 
Notes payable-                    
Associated companies  -   885,760   260,199   -   1,145,959 
Other  700,000   -   -   -   700,000 
Accounts payable-                    
Associated companies  554,844   1,419   119,773   (270,368)  405,668 
Other  55,614   130,090   -   -   185,704 
Accrued taxes  3,378   116,383   47,292   (24,219)  142,834 
Other  85,100   107,791   9,731   45,484   248,106 
   1,398,936   1,979,530   1,324,260   (265,999)  4,436,727 
                     
CAPITALIZATION:                    
Common stockholder's equity  2,460,215   1,011,907   1,579,614   (2,591,521)  2,460,215 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  -   1,320,773   62,900   (1,305,717)  77,956 
   2,460,215   2,332,680   1,642,514   (3,897,238)  2,538,171 
                     
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:                    
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  -   -   -   1,051,871   1,051,871 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  -   -   244,978   (244,978)  - 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  -   35,350   24,619   -   59,969 
Asset retirement obligations  -   24,947   798,739   -   823,686 
Retirement benefits  9,332   56,016   -   -   65,348 
Property taxes  -   25,329   22,766   -   48,095 
Lease market valuation liability  -   341,881   -   -   341,881 
Other  17,174   22,672   -   -   39,846 
   26,506   506,195   1,091,102   806,893   2,430,696 
  $3,885,657  $4,818,405  $4,057,876  $(3,356,344) $9,405,594 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
REVENUES $3,387,258  $1,707,320  $879,729  $(2,562,309) $3,411,998 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Fuel  13,920   876,077   92,188   -   982,185 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  648,556   -   -   -   648,556 
Purchased power from affiliates  2,549,892   12,417   75,834   (2,562,309)  75,834 
Other operating expenses  103,034   342,041   381,826   36,567   863,468 
Provision for depreciation  3,885   90,058   80,646   (4,054)  170,535 
General taxes  14,971   33,842   15,915   -   64,728 
Total expenses  3,334,258   1,354,435   646,409   (2,529,796)  2,805,306 
                     
OPERATING INCOME  53,000   352,885   233,320   (32,513)  606,692 
                     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                    
Miscellaneous income (expense), including                    
net income from equity investees  323,092   (1,234)  (2,699)  (305,710)  13,449 
Interest expense - affiliates  (252)  (18,172)  (7,529)  -   (25,953)
Interest expense - other  (19,105)  (73,112)  (38,833)  49,241   (81,809)
Capitalized interest  90   27,460   2,049   -   29,599 
Total other income (expense)  303,825   (65,058)  (47,012)  (256,469)  (64,714)
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  356,825   287,827   186,308   (288,982)  541,978 
                     
INCOME TAXES  13,092   109,615   68,597   6,941   198,245 
                     
NET INCOME $343,733  $178,212  $117,711  $(295,923) $343,733 

 
120142




FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 FES�� FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
REVENUES $3,274,694  $1,501,112  $793,255  $(2,311,129) $3,257,932 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Fuel  20,824   698,643   84,734   -   804,201 
Purchased power from non-affiliates  577,831   -   -   -   577,831 
Purchased power from affiliates  2,290,305   176,654   53,746   (2,311,129)  209,576 
Other operating expenses  123,596   240,774   367,404   -   731,774 
Provision for depreciation  1,572   74,844   68,614   -   145,030 
General taxes  15,942   31,406   17,522   -   64,870 
Total expenses  3,030,070   1,222,321   592,020   (2,311,129)  2,533,282 
                     
OPERATING INCOME  244,624   278,791   201,235   -   724,650 
                     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                    
Miscellaneous income, including                    
net income from equity investees  271,599   2,669   13,350   (239,862)  47,756 
Interest expense - affiliates  (676)  (47,090)  (14,138)  -   (61,904)
Interest expense - other  (7,966)  (34,150)  (28,729)  -   (70,845)
Capitalized interest  20   9,044   3,699   -   12,763 
Total other income (expense)  262,977   (69,527)  (25,818)  (239,862)  (72,230)
                     
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  507,601   209,264   175,417   (239,862)  652,420 
                     
INCOME TAXES  98,917   82,031   62,788   -   243,736 
                     
NET INCOME $408,684  $127,233  $112,629  $(239,862) $408,684 

143



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited) 
                
As of September 30, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
ASSETS               
CURRENT ASSETS:               
Cash and cash equivalents $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 
Receivables-                    
Customers  137,126   -   -   -   137,126 
Associated companies  267,777   195,005   100,481   (299,484)  263,779 
Other  910   1,595   20,419   -   22,924 
Notes receivable from associated companies  118,526   38,400   -   -   156,926 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  3,519   288,623   205,134   -   497,276 
Prepayments and other  64,585   84,138   30,807   -   179,530 
   592,445   607,761   356,841   (299,484)  1,257,563 
                     
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:                    
In service  108,733   5,413,310   4,704,478   (391,859)  9,834,662 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  10,990   2,712,638   1,658,863   (170,774)  4,211,717 
   97,743   2,700,672   3,045,615   (221,085)  5,622,945 
Construction work in progress  2,827   1,225,381   157,444   -   1,385,652 
   100,570   3,926,053   3,203,059   (221,085)  7,008,597 
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:                    
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  -   -   1,145,384   -   1,145,384 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  -   -   62,900   -   62,900 
Investment in associated companies  3,581,979   -   -   (3,581,979)  - 
Other  2,124   38,247   202   -   40,573 
   3,584,103   38,247   1,208,486   (3,581,979)  1,248,857 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:                    
Accumulated deferred income taxes  9,655   471,718   -   (251,032)  230,341 
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies  -   71,356   -   -   71,356 
Goodwill  24,248   -   -   -   24,248 
Property taxes  -   25,007   22,767   -   47,774 
Pension assets  3,208   11,556   -   -   14,764 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  -   8,445   -   48,920   57,365 
Other  18,343   59,511   18,717   (46,869)  49,702 
   55,454   647,593   41,484   (248,981)  495,550 
  $4,332,572  $5,219,654  $4,809,870  $(4,351,529) $10,010,567 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION                    
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                    
Currently payable long-term debt $4,679  $873,562  $1,077,289  $(17,315) $1,938,215 
Short-term borrowings-                    
Associated companies  -   147,108   164,642   -   311,750 
Other  1,000,000   -   -   -   1,000,000 
Accounts payable-                    
Associated companies  276,155   202,678   158,215   (275,601)  361,447 
Other  36,724   126,449   -   -   163,173 
Accrued taxes  4,109   88,826   17,661   (29,877)  80,719 
Other  36,491   116,637   26,777   38,009   217,914 
   1,358,158   1,555,260   1,444,584   (284,784)  4,073,218 
CAPITALIZATION:                    
Common stockholder's equity  2,916,934   1,813,911   1,755,054   (3,568,965)  2,916,934 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  40,333   1,364,207   451,365   (1,296,982)  558,923 
   2,957,267   3,178,118   2,206,419   (4,865,947)  3,475,857 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:                    
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  -   -   -   1,035,013   1,035,013 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  -   -   235,811   (235,811)  - 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  -   40,209   23,759   -   63,968 
Asset retirement obligations  -   24,148   825,327   -   849,475 
Retirement benefits  9,745   57,822   -   -   67,567 
Property taxes  -   25,328   22,767   -   48,095 
Lease market valuation liability  -   319,129   -   -   319,129 
Other  7,402   19,640   51,203   -   78,245 
   17,147   486,276   1,158,867   799,202   2,461,492 
  $4,332,572  $5,219,654  $4,809,870  $(4,351,529) $10,010,567 

144

 


FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                             
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETSCONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS 
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) 
                             
As of December 31, 2007 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated  FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
ASSETS                             
              
CURRENT ASSETS:                             
Cash and cash equivalents $2  $-  $-  $- $2  $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 
Receivables-                                       
Customers  133,846   -   -   -  133,846   133,846   -   -   -   133,846 
Associated companies  327,715   237,202   98,238   (286,656)  376,499   327,715   237,202   98,238   (286,656)  376,499 
Other  2,845   978   -   -  3,823   2,845   978   -   -   3,823 
Notes receivable from associated companies  23,772   -   69,012   -  92,784   23,772   -   69,012   -   92,784 
Materials and supplies, at average cost  195   215,986   210,834   -  427,015   195   215,986   210,834   -   427,015 
Prepayments and other  67,981   21,605   2,754   -  92,340   67,981   21,605   2,754   -   92,340 
  556,356   475,771   380,838   (286,656)  1,126,309   556,356   475,771   380,838   (286,656)  1,126,309 
                   
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:                                       
In service  25,513   5,065,373   3,595,964   (392,082)  8,294,768   25,513   5,065,373   3,595,964   (392,082)  8,294,768 
Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation  7,503   2,553,554   1,497,712   (166,756)  3,892,013   7,503   2,553,554   1,497,712   (166,756)  3,892,013 
  18,010   2,511,819   2,098,252   (225,326)  4,402,755   18,010   2,511,819   2,098,252   (225,326)  4,402,755 
Construction work in progress  1,176   571,672   188,853   -  761,701   1,176   571,672   188,853   -   761,701 
  19,186   3,083,491   2,287,105   (225,326)  5,164,456   19,186   3,083,491   2,287,105   (225,326)  5,164,456 
                   
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:                                       
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts  -   -   1,332,913   -  1,332,913   -   -   1,332,913   -   1,332,913 
Long-term notes receivable from associated companies  -   -   62,900   -  62,900   -   -   62,900   -   62,900 
Investment in associated companies  2,516,838   -   -   (2,516,838)  -   2,516,838   -   -   (2,516,838)  - 
Other  2,732   37,071   201   -  40,004   2,732   37,071   201   -   40,004 
  2,519,570   37,071   1,396,014   (2,516,838)  1,435,817 
                     2,519,570   37,071   1,396,014   (2,516,838)  1,435,817 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:                                       
Accumulated deferred income taxes  16,978   522,216   -   (262,271)  276,923   16,978   522,216   -   (262,271)  276,923 
Lease assignment receivable from associated companies  -   215,258   -   -  215,258   -   215,258   -   -   215,258 
Goodwill  24,248   -   -   -  24,248   24,248   -   -   -   24,248 
Property taxes  -   25,007   22,767   -  47,774   -   25,007   22,767   -   47,774 
Pension asset  3,217   13,506   -   -  16,723   3,217   13,506   -   -   16,723 
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs  -   27,597   -   43,206  70,803   -   27,597   -   43,206   70,803 
Other  22,956   52,971   6,159   (38,133)  43,953   22,956   52,971   6,159   (38,133)  43,953 
  67,399   856,555   28,926   (257,198)  695,682   67,399   856,555   28,926   (257,198)  695,682 
TOTAL ASSETS $3,162,511  $4,452,888  $4,092,883  $(3,286,018) $8,422,264 
                    $3,162,511  $4,452,888  $4,092,883  $(3,286,018) $8,422,264 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                                       
Currently payable long-term debt $-  $596,827  $861,265  $(16,896) $1,441,196  $-  $596,827  $861,265  $(16,896) $1,441,196 
Short-term borrowings-                                       
Associated companies  -   238,786   25,278   -  264,064   -   238,786   25,278   -   264,064 
Other  300,000   -   -   -  300,000   300,000   -   -   -   300,000 
Accounts payable-                                       
Associated companies  287,029   175,965   268,926   (286,656)  445,264   287,029   175,965   268,926   (286,656)  445,264 
Other  56,194   120,927   -   -  177,121   56,194   120,927   -   -   177,121 
Accrued taxes  18,831   125,227   28,229   (836)  171,451   18,831   125,227   28,229   (836)  171,451 
Other  57,705   131,404   11,972   36,725  237,806   57,705   131,404   11,972   36,725   237,806 
  719,759   1,389,136   1,195,670   (267,663)  3,036,902   719,759   1,389,136   1,195,670   (267,663)  3,036,902 
                   
CAPITALIZATION:                                       
Common stockholder's equity  2,414,231   951,542   1,562,069   (2,513,611)  2,414,231   2,414,231   951,542   1,562,069   (2,513,611)  2,414,231 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations  -   1,597,028   242,400   (1,305,716)  533,712   -   1,597,028   242,400   (1,305,716)  533,712 
  2,414,231   2,548,570   1,804,469   (3,819,327)  2,947,943 
                     2,414,231   2,548,570   1,804,469   (3,819,327)  2,947,943 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:                                       
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction  -   -   -   1,060,119  1,060,119   -   -   -   1,060,119   1,060,119 
Accumulated deferred income taxes  -   -   259,147   (259,147)  -   -   -   259,147   (259,147)  - 
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits  -   36,054   25,062   -  61,116   -   36,054   25,062   -   61,116 
Asset retirement obligations  -   24,346   785,768   -  810,114   -   24,346   785,768   -   810,114 
Retirement benefits  8,721   54,415   -   -  63,136   8,721   54,415   -   -   63,136 
Property taxes  -   25,328   22,767   -  48,095   -   25,328   22,767   -   48,095 
Lease market valuation liability  -   353,210   -   -  353,210   -   353,210   -   -   353,210 
Other  19,800   21,829   -   -  41,629   19,800   21,829   -   -   41,629 
  28,521   515,182   1,092,744   800,972  2,437,419   28,521   515,182   1,092,744   800,972   2,437,419 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION $3,162,511  $4,452,888  $4,092,883  $(3,286,018) $8,422,264 
 $3,162,511  $4,452,888  $4,092,883  $(3,286,018) $8,422,264 

 
121145

 


FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: $47,463  $267,933  $247,054  $(8,317) $554,133 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
New Financing-                    
Long-term debt  -   328,325   209,050   -   537,375 
Equity contribution from parent  280,000   675,000   175,000   (850,000)  280,000 
Short-term borrowings, net  700,000   -   139,363   (91,677)  747,686 
Redemptions and Repayments-                    
Long-term debt  (1,777)  (286,776)  (180,666)  8,317   (460,902)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (91,677)  -   91,677   - 
Common stock dividend payment  (43,000)  -   -   -   (43,000)
Net cash provided from financing activities  935,223   624,872   342,747   (841,683)  1,061,159 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
Property additions  (38,481)  (778,329)  (600,395)  -   (1,417,205)
Proceeds from asset sales  -   15,218   -   -   15,218 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   596,291   -   596,291 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   (624,899)  -   (624,899)
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  (94,755)  (38,399)  69,012   -   (64,142)
Investment in subsidiary  (850,000)  -   -   850,000   - 
Restricted funds for debt redemption  -   (52,090)  (29,550)  -   (81,640)
Other  550   (39,205)  (260)  -   (38,915)
Net cash used for investing activities  (982,686)  (892,805)  (589,801)  850,000   (1,615,292)
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   -   -   -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   -   -   -   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 

 
146



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR)               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES $(7,937) $350,927  $179,037  $-  $522,027 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
New Financing-                    
Long-term debt  -   1,328,919   -   (1,328,919)  - 
Equity contribution from parent  700,000   700,000   -   (700,000)  700,000 
Short-term borrowings, net  223,942   -   13,128   (237,070)  - 
Redemptions and Repayments-                    
Common stock  (600,000)  -   -   -   (600,000)
Long-term debt  -   (795,019)  (315,155)  -   (1,110,174)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (1,022,197)  -   237,070   (785,127)
Common stock dividend payment  (67,000)  -   -   -   (67,000)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  256,942   211,703   (302,027)  (2,028,919)  (1,862,301)
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
Property additions  (10,119)  (332,499)  (140,289)  -   (482,907)
Proceeds from asset sales  -   12,990   -   -   12,990 
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction  -   -   -   1,328,919   1,328,919 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   521,535   -   521,535 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   (552,779)  -   (552,779)
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net  460,023   (242,612)  292,896   -   510,307 
Investment in subsidiary  (700,000)  -       700,000   - 
Other  1,091   (509)  1,627   -   2,209 
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities  (249,005)  (562,630)  122,990   2,028,919   1,340,274 
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   -   -   -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   -   -   -   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR)               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES $273,827  $(122,171) $8,108  $188  $159,952 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
New Financing-                    
Short-term borrowings, net  400,000   646,975   234,921   -   1,281,896 
Redemptions and Repayments-                    
Long-term debt  -   (135,063)  (153,540)  -   (288,603)
Common stock dividend payments  (10,000)  -   -   -   (10,000)
     Net cash provided from financing activities  390,000   511,912   81,381   -   983,293 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
Property additions  (19,406)  (375,391)  (81,545)  (187)  (476,529)
Proceeds from asset sales  -   5,088   -   -   5,088 
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   173,123   -   173,123 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   (181,079)  -   (181,079)
Loans to associated companies, net  (644,604)  -   -   -   (644,604)
Other  183   (19,438)  12   (1)  (19,244)
   Net cash used for investing activities  (663,827)  (389,741)  (89,489)  (188)  (1,143,245)
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   -   -   -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   -   -   -   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 

 
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FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 
                
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Unaudited) 
                
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 FES  FGCO  NGC  Eliminations  Consolidated 
  (In thousands) 
                
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES $65,870  $55,003  $177,456  $-  $298,329 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
New Financing-                    
Equity contribution from parent  700,000   700,000   -   (700,000)  700,000 
Short-term borrowings, net  250,000   -   -   (52,269)  197,731 
Redemptions and Repayments-                    
Long-term debt  -   (616,728)  (128,716)  -   (745,444)
Short-term borrowings, net  -   (52,269)  -   52,269   - 
      Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities  950,000   31,003   (128,716)  (700,000)  152,287 
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
Property additions  (214)  (81,400)  (35,892)  -   (117,506)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   178,632   -   178,632 
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts  -   -   (188,076)  -   (188,076)
Loans to associated companies, net  (316,003)  -   (3,895)  -   (319,898)
Investment in subsidiary  (700,000)  -   -   700,000   - 
Other  347   (4,606)  491   -   (3,768)
   Net cash used for investing activities  (1,015,870)  (86,006)  (48,740)  700,000   (450,616)
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  -   -   -   -   - 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2   -   -   -   2 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $2  $-  $-  $-  $2 



123



ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Market Risk Information” in Item 2 above.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)  EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES – FIRSTENERGY

FirstEnergy’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures. The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of a registrant that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under that Act is accumulated and communicated to the registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, those officers have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are effective and were designed to bring to their attention material information relating to the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries by others within those entities.

(b)  CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS

During the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2008, there were no changes in FirstEnergy’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES – FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, MET-ED AND PENELEC

(a)  EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Each registrant's chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated such registrant's disclosure controls and procedures. The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of a registrant that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under that Act is accumulated and communicated to the registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, those officers have concluded that such registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are effective and were designed to bring to their attention material information relating to such registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries by others within those entities.

(b)  CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS

During the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2008, there were no changes in the registrants' internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants' internal control over financial reporting.



 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussions in Notes 10 and 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

See Item 1A RISK FACTORS in Part I of theFirstEnergy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, include a detailed discussion of its risk factors. The information presented below updates certain of those risk factors and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in FirstEnergy’s prior SEC filings.

FirstEnergy relies on access to the credit and capital markets to finance a portion of its working capital requirements and to support its liquidity needs. Access to these markets may be adversely affected by factors beyond FirstEnergy’s control, including turmoil in the financial services industry, volatility in securities trading markets and general economic downturns. In particular, recent disruptions in the variable-rate demand bond markets could require utilization of a significant portion of the sources of liquidity currently available to FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries.

FirstEnergy relies upon access to the subsidiary registrants. Forcredit and capital markets as a source of liquidity for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, there have been no material changesportion of its working capital requirements not provided by cash from operations and to these risk factors.comply with various regulatory requirements. Market disruptions such as those currently being experienced in the United States and abroad may increase FirstEnergy’s cost of borrowing or adversely affect its ability to access sources of liquidity upon which it relies to finance operations and satisfy obligations as they become due. These disruptions may include turmoil in the financial services industry, including substantial uncertainty surrounding particular lending institutions and counterparties with whom FirstEnergy does business, unprecedented volatility in the markets where FirstEnergy’s outstanding securities trade, and general economic downturns in the areas where FirstEnergy does business. If FirstEnergy is unable to access credit at competitive rates, or if its short-term or long-term borrowing costs dramatically increase, FirstEnergy’s ability to finance its operations, meet its short-term obligations and implement its operating strategy could be adversely affected.

ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c)   FirstEnergy

The table below includes information on a monthly basis regarding purchases made by FirstEnergy of its common stock.

 Period  Period 
 January 1-31, February 1-29, March 1-31, First  July 1-31, August 1-31, September 1-30, Third 
 
2008
 
2008
 
2008
 
Quarter
  
2008
 
2008
 
2008
 
Quarter
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)
 329,106 16,853 988,386 1,334,345  52,166 32,187 208,772 293,125 
Average Price Paid per Share $76.56 $71.68 $68.55 $70.57  $81.63 $71.63 $72.09 $73.74 
Total Number of Shares Purchased                  
As Part of Publicly Announced Plans
                  
or Programs (b)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
          
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar
          
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Value) of Shares that May Yet Be
                  
Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 - - - -  - - - - 

(a)Share amounts reflect purchases on the open market to satisfy FirstEnergy's obligations to deliver common stock under its 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors, Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, Savings Plan and Stock Investment Plan. In addition, such amounts reflect shares tendered by employees to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan and the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, and shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans.
(b)On December 10, 2007, FirstEnergy’s plan to repurchase up to 16 million shares of its common stock through June 30, 2008, was concluded.












 
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ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
 
  
FirstEnergy
 
 10.1$U.S. 300,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2008, among FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as Borrower, FirstEnergy Corp. and FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., as Guarantors, Credit Suisse and the other Banks parties thereto from time to time, as Banks, and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent
 12Fixed charge ratios
 15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 FES
 
FES
4.1Open-End Mortgage, General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust, dated as of June 19, 2008, of FirstEnergy Generation Corp. to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
 10.1$U.S. 300,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2008, among FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as Borrower, FirstEnergy Corp. and FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., as Guarantors, Credit Suisse and the other Banks parties thereto from time to time, as Banks, and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent
10.2Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement dated November 1, 2008
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
OE
 
 4.1Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2008, to Ohio Edison Company’s General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated as of January 1, 1998  (incorporated by reference to October 22, 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit 4.1)
 12Fixed charge ratios
 15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
CEI
 
 12Fixed charge ratios
15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
TE
 
 12Fixed charge ratios
15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
JCP&L
 
 12Fixed charge ratios
15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Met-Ed
 
10.2Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement dated November 1, 2008
12Fixed charge ratios
15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Penelec
 
10.2Third Restated Partial Requirements Agreement dated November 1, 2008
 12Fixed charge ratios
 15Letter from independent registered public accounting firm
 31.1Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 31.2Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 32Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Pursuant to reporting requirements of respective financings, FirstEnergy, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec are required to file fixed charge ratios as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q.

Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, neither FirstEnergy, FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed nor Penelec have filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q any instrument with respect to long-term debt if the respective total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of its respective total assets, but each hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC on request any such documents.

 
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SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


May 8,November 7, 2008





 FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 Registrant
  
 FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 Registrant
  
 OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 Registrant
  
 THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC
 ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 Registrant
  
 THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 Registrant
  
 METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 Registrant
  
 PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 Registrant



 
/s/  Harvey L. Wagner
 Harvey L. Wagner
 Vice President, Controller
 and Chief Accounting Officer



 JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 Registrant
  
  
  
 
/s/  Paulette R. Chatman
 Paulette R. Chatman
 Controller
 (Principal Accounting Officer)

 
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