FirstEnergy Builds Greener Communities with 30,000+ Trees Planted in 2025, 26,000 Planned for 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) reported that employees and community partners planted more than 30,000 trees in 2025, exceeding its annual goal, and plans to plant and donate more than 26,000 trees in 2026. Since 2020, Green Teams have helped put 131,000 trees in the ground.

In 2025 staff volunteered at 151 events for 3,438 hours, planted 26 community gardens (113,289 sq ft), and prioritized native species and underserved communities across its six-state service territory.

Key Figures

Trees planted 2025: more than 30,000 trees Trees planned 2026: more than 26,000 trees Total trees since 2020: 131,000 trees +5 more

8 metrics

Trees planted 2025 more than 30,000 trees Companywide tree planting across six-state service territory in 2025

Trees planned 2026 more than 26,000 trees Planned donations and plantings for 2026

Total trees since 2020 131,000 trees Cumulative plantings by Green Teams since 2020

Employee volunteers 2025 nearly 800 employees Volunteers participating in tree-planting efforts

Volunteer events 2025 151 events Tree-planting events across service territory in 2025

Volunteer hours 2025 3,438 hours Employee time contributed to tree-planting efforts

Community gardens 2025 26 gardens Green Teams community gardens supporting pollinators

Garden area 2025 113,289 square feet Total area of 2025 community gardens

Market Reality Check

Price: $46.40 Vol: Volume 8,210,365 vs 20-da...

high vol

$46.40 Last Close

Volume Volume 8,210,365 vs 20-day avg 4,746,911 (relative volume 1.73) ahead of this ESG update. high

Technical Price $46.89 is above 200-day MA $43.83 and 2.72% below 52-week high $48.20.

Peers on Argus

FE slipped 0.21% while several regulated electric peers like AEE, ES, EIX and WE...

1 Up

FE slipped 0.21% while several regulated electric peers like AEE, ES, EIX and WEC showed gains between about 1–2%, and PPL was modestly lower. With only 1 peer (PCG) in the momentum scanner and no broad same-direction moves, trading appeared more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 30 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 30	Customer bill credits	Positive	+0.0%	Maryland customers receive state-funded energy relief bill credits based on usage tiers.
Jan 28	Grid upgrade	Positive	-0.2%	Underground cable upgrade for 1,000+ customers under larger LTIIP III and Energize365 plans.
Jan 23	Storm preparedness	Neutral	-1.0%	Crews staged and systems prepared for winter storm across six-state service area.
Jan 13	Earnings call notice	Neutral	+1.9%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 results release and earnings webcast schedule.
Jan 09	Charitable donation	Positive	-0.1%	$25,000 foundation grant to support milk donations through Fill a Glass with Hope.

Pattern Detected

Recent company and community-focused news has typically produced modest price reactions, with a mix of small alignments and divergences relative to generally constructive operational headlines.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, FE news has focused on customer support, grid reliability and community initiatives. Items included Maryland energy relief bill credits on Jan 30, underground cable upgrades tied to a broader $28 billion Energize365 plan, winter storm preparedness, and philanthropy such as a $25,000 milk program grant. Price moves following these releases were generally small, suggesting incremental sentiment shifts rather than major re-ratings; today’s tree-planting announcement fits that pattern of ESG and community engagement updates.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights FE’s ongoing ESG and community strategy, with more than 30,000 trees pl...

Analysis

This announcement highlights FE’s ongoing ESG and community strategy, with more than 30,000 trees planted in 2025 and over 26,000 planned for 2026, building on 131,000 trees since 2020. It complements earlier reliability upgrades and customer-support efforts seen in recent news. Investors may watch how these initiatives intersect with long-term plans like the $28 billion Energize365 program and upcoming financial disclosures when assessing overall impact.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is growing its commitment to healthier, greener communities by donating and planting tens of thousands of trees across its six-state service territory each year. In 2025, employees and community partners helped plant more than 30,000 trees, surpassing the company's annual goal. In 2026, FirstEnergy plans to build on that momentum by planting and donating more than 26,000 additional trees, continuing a program that began in 2020.

Strong Roots in Service
Much of the planting was done by FirstEnergy's local Green Teams, groups of employees who volunteer their time together to environmental causes. Since launching the initiative in 2020, the Green Teams have helped put 131,000 trees in the ground, partnering with parks, schools and local organizations to choose safe locations and native species well-suited to local environments.

Jessica Shaffer, Advanced Scientist and Lead of FirstEnergy's Green Teams: "Nearly 800 FirstEnergy employees volunteered their time to help make our communities greener, cleaner and a more beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. These trees are planted in strategic locations, safely away from power lines. We live and work in some of the most beautiful states in the country, and we're committed to giving back by creating greener, cleaner and healthier communities."

A Growing Impact in 2025
FirstEnergy employees volunteered at 151 events in 2025, contributing 3,438 hours to support tree‑planting efforts. More than half of these events took place in underserved communities.

Across FirstEnergy's service territory, 2025 tree donations and plantings included:

• Ohio: Nearly 14,000 trees donated and planted by 440 employees at 70 events.
• Pennsylvania: More than 6,000 trees donated and planted by 62 employees at 16 events.
• West Virginia & Maryland: More than 7,000 trees donated and planted by 227 employees at 50 events.
• New Jersey: More than 2,000 trees donated and planted by 68 employees at 15 events.

In addition to the tree-planting events, FirstEnergy's Green Teams planted 26 community gardens in 2025, totaling 113,289 square feet, helping support pollinators that are essential to healthy ecosystems.

Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 goal of planting more than 26,000 trees reflects FirstEnergy's continued commitment to providing cleaner air, stronger ecosystems and improved green spaces where customers live, work and play.

Native varieties – including red maple, hickory, oak and dogwood – will be planted in partnership with nonprofits and community groups. These trees offer natural shade, support watershed health, add beauty to neighborhoods and provide fruit for local schools and food banks.

For more information about FirstEnergy's environmental and corporate responsibility efforts, visit fecorporateresponsibility.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of FirstEnergy tree planting events are available for download on Flickr.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstenergy-builds-greener-communities-with-30-000-trees-planted-in-2025--26-000-planned-for-2026--302679425.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How many trees did FirstEnergy (FE) plant in 2025 and what is the 2026 target?

FirstEnergy planted more than 30,000 trees in 2025 and plans to plant over 26,000 trees in 2026. According to the company, this continues a program started in 2020 that has totaled 131,000 trees to date.

Where did FirstEnergy (FE) focus its 2025 tree-planting efforts and volunteer resources?

FirstEnergy focused planting across six states, with >50% of events in underserved communities. According to the company, volunteers ran 151 events and contributed 3,438 hours in 2025.

What native species will FirstEnergy (FE) plant in 2026 and why are they chosen?

FirstEnergy plans to plant native trees like red maple, hickory, oak, and dogwood for shade and watershed support. According to the company, native species were selected to suit local environments and community needs.

How many employees volunteered for FirstEnergy (FE) tree-planting in 2025 and how many events were held?

Nearly 800 employees volunteered in 2025 across 151 events. According to the company, those volunteers helped exceed planting goals and supported community gardens totaling 113,289 square feet.

What broader community and environmental benefits does FirstEnergy (FE) cite from its tree-planting program?

FirstEnergy says the program provides cleaner air, stronger ecosystems, and improved green spaces for communities. According to the company, trees also support pollinators, shade, watershed health, and food for schools and food banks.