FirstEnergy Corp.                For Release:  December 17, 1998
76 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308-1890

News Media Contact:
David C. Poeppelmeier
(330-3845813)

   MILD WEATHER WILL IMPACT FIRSTENERGY'S FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS

          FirstEnergy Corp. today reported during a meeting with 
financial analysts in New York that the company's fourth quarter 
earnings would be adversely affected by lower heating-load sales 
brought on by unusually mild weather in the Midwest.

          "Based on our sales analysis, we are projecting that 
earnings per share in the fourth quarter could be reduced by as 
much as 15 to 20 cents below what earnings would be under normal 
weather conditions," said Willard R. Holland, chairman and chief 
executive officer of FirstEnergy.

          According to First Call, a research company that 
provides financial data to the investment community, the average 
of financial analysts' estimates for earnings is 60 cents per 
share of common stock for FirstEnergy in the fourth quarter and 
$2.14 per share for the year. For the nine-months ended 
September 30, 1998, the Company reported income before 
extraordinary charges was $346.7 million, or $1.54 per share.

    The number of heating degree-days accumulated during October 
and November were approximately nine percent below normal. A 
heating degree-day is a unit used in estimating quantities of 
fuel or power consumption, based on a daily ratio of consumption 
and the mean temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

          This announcement contains forward-looking statements 
which are subject to various uncertainties.  Discussion of the 
factors that could cause actual earnings results to differ 
materially from FirstEnergy's forecasts and expectations is 
contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

          FirstEnergy is a diversified energy services holding 
company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its four electric utility 
operating companies -  Ohio Edison and its subsidiary, 
Pennsylvania Power Company, The Illuminating Company and Toledo 
Edison Company -  comprise the nation's 12th largest investor-
owned electric system serving 2.2 million customers within 
13,200 square miles of northern and central Ohio and Western 
Pennsylvania.
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