{"id":511960,"date":"2021-07-12T15:45:15","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T19:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/toledo-edison-recognized-as-a-most-trusted-top-performing-u-s-utility\/"},"modified":"2021-07-12T15:45:15","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T19:45:15","slug":"toledo-edison-recognized-as-a-most-trusted-top-performing-u-s-utility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/toledo-edison-recognized-as-a-most-trusted-top-performing-u-s-utility\/","title":{"rendered":"Toledo Edison Recognized as a “Most Trusted,” Top Performing U.S. Utility"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Company earns spot on Escalent’s 2021 Most Trusted Utility Brands list<\/h2>\n

PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n TOLEDO, Ohio<\/span>, July 12, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ — Toledo Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company, has been recognized by residential customers as a trusted and top performing utility in customer satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study evaluating the performance of electric, natural gas and combination utilities across the country.<\/p>\n

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Escalent, a consumer research firm, named Toledo Edison to its 2021 Most Trusted Utility Brands list within the Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement\u2122: Residential study<\/a>, which is based on a nationwide survey of more than 76,000 residential customers of the 140 largest U.S. utility companies. Survey feedback is used to determine a Brand Trust Index score that rates customer focus, community support, communications effectiveness, reliability, environmental dedication and company reputation. <\/p>\n

Customer trust in utility companies spiked to the highest score ever on Escalent’s utility Brand Trust Index \u2013 706 on a 1,000-point scale. Toledo Edison earned a score of 713 and was recognized among the top 38 most trusted utilities. <\/p>\n

“Our team’s commitment to customers extends far beyond the delivery of safe and reliable electricity, and it’s an honor to be recognized by Escalent after what has been a challenging year for everyone,” said Rich Sweeney<\/span>, regional president of Toledo Edison. “We were glad to be able to help our customers get back on their feet by temporarily suspending service shutoffs, offering additional financial assistance programs and supporting community organizations that help those impacted by the pandemic, all while delivering the power our customers depended on more than ever as they worked and learned from home.”<\/p>\n

The study found that utilities that focused on communications about customer programs, community partnerships during the pandemic and environmental efforts saw the highest increase in customer satisfaction and trust last year. Utilities that offer digital options, like an online account portal and customer support on social media, were rated more favorably by customers. <\/p>\n

“Starting active conversations with customers on how their utility can partner with and support them throughout the challenges faced this past year has strongly positioned utilities as trusted energy advisers and great corporate citizens,” said Chris Oberle<\/span>, senior vice president at Escalent. “The most trusted utility brands include utilities that are making a positive impact on their customers, communities and financials.”<\/p>\n

From the start of the pandemic, FirstEnergy and its electric companies continued to deliver uninterrupted service to customers while prioritizing the health and safety of customers and employees by implementing safety protocols for field crews, utilizing personal protective equipment and following social distancing guidelines. Customer service teams continued to handle customer inquiries from remote workstations.<\/p>\n

The FirstEnergy Foundation also infused $2 million<\/span> into the communities served by its 10 electric companies to provide\u00a0timely\u00a0assistance to families and organizations impacted by the pandemic. In 2020, the Foundation accelerated approximately $1.5 million<\/span> in matching contributions to 116 United Way agencies throughout the company’s six-state territory to help support vital health and human services organizations during the pandemic. Additionally, the FirstEnergy Foundation donated $500,000<\/span> to 42 local food banks and hunger centers in Ohio<\/span>, Pennsylvania<\/span>, New Jersey<\/span>, West Virginia<\/span> and Maryland<\/span>, which included $25,000<\/span> for the Toledo Northwest Ohio Foodbank.<\/p>\n

Beyond the support the company provided throughout the pandemic, Toledo Edison offers the following resources, services and programs year round:<\/p>\n