FirstEnergy’s financial predicament didn’t spring up overnight.

The company has spent years asking Ohio lawmakers and regulators for extra money from ratepayers. Its lawyers and lobbyists have urged the federal government to give preferences to coal and nuclear plants to protect them from competition.  And now the company is a major creditor in the bankruptcy case of its generation subsidiaries.

Here’s a “picture book” look at developments that took place and decisions FirstEnergy made in the years leading up to its latest calls for relief.

More: FirstEnergy Solutions bankruptcy could shed light on affiliate dealings

Kathi is the author of 25 books and more than 600 articles, and writes often on science and policy issues. In addition to her journalism career, Kathi is an alumna of Harvard Law School and has spent 15 years practicing law. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the National Association of Science Writers. Kathi covers the state of Ohio.