Nuclear facility lays off workers | The News-Messenger - 0 views
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Energy Net on 07 Mar 09FirstEnergy, owner of Davis-Besse nuclear power plant and operator of seven electric utility companies, laid off 335 employees Tuesday. Advertisement FirstEnergy spokesman Mark Durbin said 29 of those worked in the Toledo area, which includes Davis-Besse, but Durbin couldn't say how many Davis-Besse employees were laid off. "Employees were notified today," Durbin said, "and severance packages were given." Durbin said packages included 1.5 weeks' pay for every full year of service as well the company's continuing contribution toward health benefits during that time. Durbin said the layoffs covered FirstEnergy's entire operation, which includes portions of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey and Maryland. "It's something we didn't want to do," he said, "but based on the current economic climate it's something we had to do." Durbin said lower energy consumption by residential, industrial and business customers meant the company had to cut its operations, as well.