Akron, Ohio, December 30, 2011 — Many customers of FirstEnergy Corp.'s electric utilities can make a resolution to spend more time with family and friends in 2012 — and less time dealing with paperwork — by signing up for paperless electronic billing.

The free service is a fast, convenient and environmentally friendly way to receive monthly electric bills and make payments online. Paperless billing reduces mailbox clutter, helps protect personal information from possible theft and eliminates the need for checks or stamps. 

Customers of Ohio Edison Co., The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. and The Toledo Edison Co. in Ohio; Pennsylvania Electric Co. (Penelec), Pennsylvania Power Co. (Penn Power) and Metropolitan Edison Co. (Met-Ed) in Pennsylvania; and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) in New Jersey can sign up for paperless billing online.

Participants receive a monthly email notification when their bill is ready, and can make payments online or select from other convenient payment options. They also have electronic access to their account information, including billing and payment history.

FirstEnergy's website also provides information about a variety of programs that can help customers budget monthly payments, pay winter heating bills, or receive other assistance. Customers can also use the Home Energy Analyzer to better understand their household energy use, and they can sign up to follow their local utility on Twitter.