Teams with the Electric Power Research
Institute to help protect bats
HOLMDEL,
N.J., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company Jersey Central Power & Light
(JCP&L) has installed 64 artificial, free-standing bat roosts
along two transmission rights-of-way that run through Warren, Morris and Union counties as part of the company's
ongoing efforts to protect endangered species near electrical
infrastructure.
This work is part of a collaborative research study with the
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) aimed at preserving the
Indiana, northern long-eared and
little brown bat species – all endangered due to deforestation over
the past few decades. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of
these structures in offsetting the loss of natural roosting
habitats, such as trees, while identifying ideal conditions for bat
occupation.
Photos of JCP&L's bat roost installations are
available to view or download on FirstEnergy's Flickr
page.
A bat roost is a location where bats take shelter or protection,
often found in trees, attics and barns. Built on 4-by-4 wooden
posts, the clusters of newly installed structures are 16 feet tall
and built about 10 feet apart. The roosting posts are installed
along the outer sections of the JCP&L rights-of-way at varying
distances from the wooded edges of the properties. Half of the new
structures are situated between Pohatcong, Warren County, and Wharton, Morris
County, and the remaining structures were installed between
Summit, Union County, and East Hanover, Morris
County.
Michelle Dellinger, Advanced
Forestry Specialist at JCP&L's parent company
FirstEnergy: "When we build a new transmission line, there
is potential to cut down trees that bats could have used in spring
and summer months for roosting. This research project is installing
artificial habitat to replace some of what has been removed. We are
excited to be at the forefront of electric companies helping to
mitigate the impact on threatened and endangered bat species."
EPRI researchers installed acoustic monitors near the poles and
will observe the roosts for two years. A guano catcher installed at
each pole will collect evidence of bat presence and provide samples
to determine species and other information about the roost
dwellers. Researchers will use the information to assess what
conditions are better suited to creating artificial habitats,
including location, temperature, solar exposure and more.
JCP&L has been a staunch supporter of protecting wildlife
and preserving their environment. Since 2016, JCP&L has safely
relocated approximately 20 osprey nests, most of which have
successfully produced osprey over several seasons. This year alone,
JCP&L crews are monitoring more than 60 nesting sites,
including 30 active nests, with the remainder of the sites showing
intermittent activity this season. The company has also installed
nesting platforms on top of wood utility poles to keep nesting
birds away from energized equipment and out of harm's way.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of
Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X,
formerly known as Twitter, @JCP_L, on Facebook at
facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.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 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 on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at
firstenergycorp.com.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.