FirstEnergy on Sunday released its top lawyer and chief ethics officer in the aftermath of the alleged $61 million bribery scheme resulting in the passage of Ohio House Bill 6.

Chief Legal Officer Robert Reffner and Chief Ethics Officer Ebony Yeboah-Amankwah “separated” from the company, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The moves came before a Monday announcement in which FirstEnergy pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The company issued a climate position and strategy statement to go along with the announcement.

Acting CEO Steven Strah — who received a pay raise to $950,000 per year, according to the SEC filing — said FirstEnergy was dedicating itself to achieve ambitious environmental goals.

“We believe climate change is among the most important issues of our time,” Strah said. “We will help address this challenge by building a more climate-resilient energy system and supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.”

Internal Moves

FirstEnergy did not provide a reason for the departures of Reffner and Yeboah-Amankwah. A company spokesperson said there would be no further comments on the leadership changes.

Reffner was appointed to his position in May when the company announced other major changes to its management, including Strah as president. Yeboah-Amankwah was also appointed to her position in the same round of changes, reporting to Reffner. (See Strah Named New President of FirstEnergy.)

In a press release issued Oct. 29, FirstEnergy announced the termination of CEO Charles Jones, along with two other executives: Dennis Chack, senior vice president of product development, marketing and branding; and Michael Dowling, senior vice president of external affairs. Officials said an internal review related to “government investigations” determined the executives “violated certain FirstEnergy policies and its code of conduct.” (See FirstEnergy Fires Jones over Bribe Probe.)

FirstEnergy is alleged to have supported the election of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R) and his associates in a three-year scheme that resulted in the approval of zero-emission credits for the company’s money-losing Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants.

More Compensation

Also included in the new SEC filing was a salary of $75,000 a month for Director Christopher Pappas, who was named executive director of the board in the aftermath of the termination of Jones and the promotion of Strah. Pappas will receive three months advanced payment, the filing said.

Non-executive board Chairman Donald Misheff will be paid a cash stipend of $62,500 a month, with three months advanced payment.

And Leslie Turner, a former executive with The Hershey Co. who was named chair of a new subcommittee set to review FirstEnergy’s compliance programs, will receive $3,750 a quarter in her new role and a pro-rated amount of $2,500 for November and December, according to the filing.

In a second filing Monday, FirstEnergy told the SEC it cannot file its latest 10-Q on time because of the ongoing criminal investigations. The utility released financial results for the third quarter on Nov. 2. (See FirstEnergy Earnings Call Overshadowed by Probes.)

“In connection with the ongoing government investigations, the company’s re-evaluation of its controls framework, which could include identifying one or more material weaknesses, the company requires additional time to complete its quarterly review and closing procedures and to provide appropriate disclosure in the Form 10-Q,” FirstEnergy said.

Environmental Goals

Besides the management moves, FirstEnergy said it was busy moving forward with its carbon-neutrality plan. The company set an interim goal of a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its direct operational control by 2030, based on 2019 levels, and full carbon neutrality by 2050.

FirstEnergy’s strategy calls for several environmental initiatives to reach the goals, including:

• hardening transmission and distribution systems to reduce physical risks of climate change;
• replacing conventional utility trucks with electric and hybrid vehicles;
• preparing for a transition away from coal-fired power in West Virginia by 2050;
• seeking approval next year to construct a solar generation source of at least 50 MW in West Virginia;
• utilizing advanced technology to allow customers to manage their energy use; and
• integrating carbon pricing into financial forecasting.

The company also plans on creating an executive steering committee partnering with the board and leadership for “oversight, accountability and risk mitigation for the climate policy.”

“Our ambitious new carbon goal and comprehensive climate strategy are fully aligned with our regulated business strategy and support our commitments to our customers, communities and investors, as well as environmental stewardship,” Strah said.