To address the persistent power outages affecting both Lakewood and parts of Cleveland’s west side, city officials, including Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George and Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy of Ward 16, recently met with executives from FirstEnergy.
Notably, in a recent meeting that also involved State Representative Tristan Rader and Lakewood Council President Sarah Kepple, FirstEnergy admitted the problem had nothing to do with unpredictable forces of nature or human accident but rather with their failing equipment. According to a statement released by the City of Lakewood, the utility provider has committed to a $3 million overhaul of its infrastructure. This includes replacing the transformer, along with the addition of new breakers, aimed at stabilizing the electricity supply to affected areas.
These improvements are essential, as Mayor George highlighted the community’s loss of confidence in FirstEnergy due to their historical shortcomings. “While their track record of failure to our community does not give me much faith in FirstEnergy, I was glad to leave the meeting with clear commitments from them that PUCO can hold them accountable to,” Mayor George told the City of Lakewood’s official website. Furthermore, FirstEnergy promised to maintain a mobile substation at its Lakewood facility to the south until these upgrades have been fully implemented…