GREENSBURG, Pa. – October 29, 2026 -- FirstEnergy subsidiary Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company (KATCo) has been selected for an estimated $20.8 million federally funded grid modernization project led by EPRI, aimed at squeezing more capacity out of existing transmission lines in western Pennsylvania.
KATCo was picked through the U.S. Department of Energy's Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program. The Advanced Transmission Technologies for Reliable and Efficient Energy Supply (ATREES) project will evaluate technologies intended to improve reliability and increase transmission capacity as electricity demand grows in Pennsylvania and nationally.
KATCo will install monitoring and control equipment on the Butler-Karns City line
KATCo plans to place advanced equipment on an existing transmission line between Butler and Karns City. The pilot will test two technologies:
- Dynamic Line Ratings: sensors and real-time data to give a more accurate picture of how transmission lines are performing.
- Advanced Power Flow Controllers: devices that direct power toward less-congested transmission paths.
The stated aim is to reduce congestion and test whether existing infrastructure can meet future demand before additional upgrades or new lines are required.
Higher local power flows in northern Pennsylvania drove the Butler County site choice
The Butler County area was selected because certain operating conditions in northern Pennsylvania can create higher power flows on local transmission lines. KATCo will assess how the technologies perform under real-world conditions and whether they can be applied elsewhere on its system.
Project investment totals about $20.2 million, shared with the Department of Energy
The project represents an approximately $20.2 million investment, with funding split between KATCo and the Department of Energy. Work is expected to begin in early 2027 and run over multiple years while participants evaluate performance and potential applications.
The company expects the results to inform future grid investments in Pennsylvania, with the goal of keeping customer costs to a minimum.
Ohio and West Virginia pilots are slated to start next year
KATCo's project is one of several FirstEnergy transmission projects selected for Department of Energy funding. Similar pilots in Ohio and West Virginia are expected to begin next year, allowing FirstEnergy to share lessons across its transmission network.
"Strong partnerships are essential to building the grid of the future," said Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission for FirstEnergy, who cited collaboration with EPRI, the Department of Energy and other industry partners.
John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, said the project is intended to help the company get more from transmission infrastructure already serving its communities.