FirstEnergy Corp. is conducting high-tech aerial inspections of high-voltage power lines across Pennsylvania, including areas that serve Berks County, in an effort to prevent power outages during the upcoming summer months.
The inspections cover more than 2,200 miles of transmission lines across the state and are about halfway complete, according to the company. Although FirstEnergy did not list specific counties in its announcement, Berks County is part of the Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT) network, a FirstEnergy subsidiary that serves southeastern Pennsylvania.
The patrols use helicopters equipped with infrared and ultraviolet cameras to detect early signs of equipment failure—issues that aren’t visible during traditional inspections. The effort is part of a broader preventive maintenance program that includes on-the-ground inspections and vegetation management.
“The transmission system is the first line of defense in preventing power outages because it supplies the electricity that flows into substations and along power lines to every single one of our customers,” said Mark Mroczynski, President of FirstEnergy Transmission. “This work supports the vast investments we’re making to strengthen our power system to meet the country’s growing energy needs.”
Helicopters fly at low speeds—between 25 and 35 mph—while trained thermographers onboard scan for “hot spots” that may indicate loose connections, corrosion, or other defects. When issues are found, crews can be dispatched to address them before they lead to service disruptions.
“Helicopters provide a view of electrical equipment that we can’t get from the ground, allowing inspection of miles of power lines in a single day,” Mroczynski added. “However, on-the-ground inspections are still necessary and underway to ensure our neighborhood power lines and equipment are ready to meet the high demand for electricity when customers crank up their air conditioning units to stay cool and comfortable this summer.”
The inspections are part of FirstEnergy’s Energize365 program, a planned $28 billion investment in grid modernization between 2025 and 2029.
FirstEnergy operates one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems and serves customers across six states, including Pennsylvania.
