First Energy holds Q&A session on proposed Youngstown transmission line

Controversy surrounded a proposed First Energy transmission project in Youngstown three years ago but a new proposal to upgrade and expand the electric grid appears to be easing community concerns.

A steady stream of residents, city leaders, and engineers gathered Tuesday evening to hear the details of a newly proposed six-mile, 138-kilovolt transmission line that would stretch between the Lincoln Park and Riverbend substations in Youngstown and Campbell.

The $30 million infrastructure project, led by American Transmission Systems Incorporated—or ATSI, a FirstEnergy company—aims to reinforce the region's power grid, reduce outages, and support future energy demands for about 15,000 customers.

"We went back to the drawing board and really worked with our community leaders and our residents to come up with a solution that met the needs of the community," Lauren Siburkis, spokeswoman for First Energy said. "One of the biggest changes to this project was making sure that the proposed transmission line did not go through the downtown amphitheater area. We made sure that there was minimal impact to the environment, and also just, you know, in that entertainment district, making sure that there wasn't that big transmission line and infrastructure towers that were hindering the or obstructing the view in that downtown area."

It's a direct response to community backlash that helped shut down a similar FirstEnergy proposal in 2022—rejected unanimously by the Ohio Power Siting Board. That plan would have routed high-voltage lines through Youngstown's revitalized entertainment district, sparking more than 120 public comments in opposition.

Youngstown First Ward Councilman Julius Oliver says the revised plan is a marked improvement.

"It's in a much better space than it was," Oliver said. "We avoid running it through the amphitheater. We're avoiding running it through Lincoln Park. We're avoiding running it through or in front of Sacred Heart church. It's going through less residential areas."

Oliver, both a public official and a resident, says the previous route would have threatened future growth and blocked development along the scenic Woodland hillside—a vision he likens to Pittsburgh's iconic Mount Washington.

"What we're trying to do on Woodland is opening it up," Oliver said. "So, it's kind of like Mount Washington in Pittsburgh. People can develop that hillside that overlooks our downtown, and just like running through the amphitheater, the esthetics of those lines would have ruined anything for any developer. So, it's a better alternative for not only our citizens, but the future economic development of the city."

ATSI says construction would begin in 2026, pending state approval. For now, they're taking feedback and emphasizing the project's long-term benefits.

"This is really a project that's meant to stimulate economic growth, help meet the energy needs of the future for not only our residential customers, but for businesses that are looking to start or expand here in the valley," Siburkis said.

First Energy says they will officially submit the application for the project to the Ohio Power Siting Board 90 days from today.

If you would still like to submit public comment on the project, you can do so at firstenergycorp.com/transmission. Just find the Youngstown project and check out the virtual open house. Click here to do so.