Lakewood: we hear you, and we are fed up too.
For years now, we have all suffered FirstEnergy’s failure to keep the power flowing to our homes, especially during our times of greatest need. Instead of fixing the problems with a sense of urgency, FirstEnergy’s apathy and neglect of its infrastructure continues and their power grid fails us at crucial times.
In the midst of the hottest week of the year, thousands of Lakewood homes are left to swelter through dangerously high temperatures in the dark and without any ability to cool their homes.
At this point, we are all frustrated and enraged that the State of Ohio has stripped any power from cities to force utilities to meet their duties to the public. The result is that FirstEnergy has sole control over the power grid throughout the entire city, and the City cannot take any direct action to fix the problems caused by FirstEnergy.
I have personally contacted Governor DeWine’s office today as well as PUCO to once again demand that FirstEnergy be held accountable.
The City of Lakewood has done everything in our power to force FirstEnergy’s hand to date. That includes successfully opposing FirstEnergy’s ridiculous and insulting efforts to lower its performance standards with PUCO.
But we need others to take action.
The weather conditions during these outages are not unpredictable; the wind isn’t blowing, rain isn’t falling, and tree limbs aren’t knocking down any power lines. This is solely the fault of a corrupt corporation that has prioritized profit over the safety and well being of people who rely on it for basic power.
Our residents deserve better than a utility provider that repeatedly ignores its basic duty to its customers. We are demanding immediate, transparent accountability from FirstEnergy leadership, and we ask once again that PUCO uses its regulatory authority to force FirstEnergy into providing the service that we the rate-payers deserve.
In the meantime, the City of Lakewood will continue to apply pressure and do what we can to offer immediate relief to our residents. To that end, Cove Community Center will remain open next week as a public cooling center; our pools are open during daylight to cool off; and our Human Services Department and safety forces will respond to those in need of help.
Meghan F. George
Mayor, City of Lakewood