11 miles of Trumbull Co. electric lines to be upgraded, insulators replaced

TRUMBULL COUNTY — An electrical transmission line in Trumbull County may soon get some much needed upgrades to its insulators.

FirstEnergy has filed an application with the Ohio EPA to replace old, degraded insulators along the Masury to Maysville 69kV transmission line.

A 69kV transmission line handles 69,000 volts of energy and essentially functions like a regional highway for electricity between communities — it can manage higher levels of electricity and allow it to travel at quicker rates than smaller neighborhood lines.

Insulators are vital pieces of electrical transmission lines, keeping power running in a focused direction and maintaining consistent energy levels in a given area.

Power outages are some of the most common side effects of aging electrical infrastructure. Outages can be reduced, however, if insulators are regularly maintained and aging portions are replaced when necessary.

Depending on their material, insulators handling 69,000 volts can last upward of 30 to 40 years.

The lines being upgraded run from the Bull Moose Tube manufacturing company’s substation in Masury, Ohio to a Sharon, Pennsylvania industrial park.

According to the permit from the Ohio EPA, FirstEnergy will be allowed to work on the 11 miles of transmission line insulators from May 2026 until April 2028. EPA permission is required for any work that may require heavy cranes or trucks through natural areas.