READING, PA — A new project aimed at boosting electric service reliability is underway in Adams County, promising stronger and more resilient power for nearly 2,300 residents and businesses, including Hanover Hospital, Alpha Fire Company, and WellSpan Health.
The East Germantown–Germantown Reliability Project, led by Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), a FirstEnergy company, involves construction of a new substation and a 115-kilovolt transmission line. Both are designed to improve service reliability and accommodate future growth in the region, which is served locally by Met-Ed.
The new East Germantown Substation is expected to be operational by March 2026. It will connect with the existing Germantown Substation through a high-voltage line supported primarily by wood poles, with steel structures used as needed. Once complete, the system will provide an additional power source, expand switching capabilities, and allow crews to reroute electricity more efficiently during outages.
“Earlier this summer, we saw how high temperatures and increased demand can strain the system and lead to outages,” said John Hawkins, president of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania. “By adding a second power source and improving switching capabilities, we’re building a stronger grid that can better handle peak loads and reduce the frequency and duration of outages.”
For southern Adams County, the project is expected to reduce outages, shorten restoration times, and support essential services such as hospitals and first responders. Officials compare the upgrades to having a backup generator for an entire community, ensuring reliability even during severe weather or surges in demand.
Route planning was carried out to limit impacts on environmentally sensitive areas and property owners. Vegetation restoration and environmental work will continue into 2026 as part of the final phase.
The initiative is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s $28 billion program to modernize the electric grid between 2025 and 2029. The broader effort aims to build a smarter, more secure energy system to meet customer needs today and support growth in the years ahead.
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