FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Over the past five years Marcellus shale has taken the state of West Virginia by storm. The industry has grown faster than most ever expected.

FirstEnergy owns 10 different electric companies, including Mon Power, which provides services to customers in North Central West Virginia.

Because of the growth in the gas industry, FirstEnergy has about $250 million in investments and projects to improve services in this area.

About $100 million alone will come from Mon Power.

The projects will include new transmission facilities that will enhance service for Mon Power customers in North Central West Virginia.

Todd Meyers, FirstEnergy spokesman, said that improving transmission lines is important, because the better the network is, the more it will benefit the customers.

“Everyone ultimately depends on transmission lines, and it makes the transmission network better,” said Meyers. “Whatever you can do to make that network stronger, it will help more people.”

A lot of these projects will be centered in West Virginia because there is a lot of drilling for natural gases…