EXHIBIT 12.1 Page 1 FIRSTENERGY CORP. CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------- 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (Dollars in Thousands) EARNINGS AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S-K: Income before extraordinary items $317,241 $315,170 $318,166 $ 441,396 $ 568,299 Interest and other charges, before reduction for amounts capitalized 273,719 255,572 299,606 608,618 585,648 Provision for income taxes 199,307 201,295 207,985 321,699 394,827 Interest element of rentals charged to income 111,534 114,093 142,363 283,869 279,519 -------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- Earnings as defined $901,801 $886,130 $968,120 $1,655,582 $1,828,293 ======== ======== ======== ========== ========== FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S-K: Interest expense $266,514 $240,146 $284,180 $ 542,819 $ 509,169 Subsidiaries' preferred stock dividend requirements 7,205 15,426 15,426 65,299 76,479 Adjustments to subsidiaries' preferred stock dividends to state on a pre-income tax basis 2,956 2,910 2,918 43,370 44,829 Interest element of rentals charged to income 111,534 114,093 142,363 283,869 279,519 -------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- Fixed charges as defined $388,209 $372,575 $444,887 $ 935,357 $ 909,996 ======== ======== ======== ========== ========== CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 2.32 2.38 2.18 1.77 2.01 ==== ==== ==== ==== ====