Welcome to the City of Lakewood’s electricity and power outage information hub. To help you navigate your utility services, it is important to know how our power grid is structured. Electricity throughout Lakewood is provided, maintained, and delivered by FirstEnergy (operating locally as The Illuminating Company).
As a private utility provider, FirstEnergy’s operations and service standards are regulated at the state level by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Because the grid is funded entirely through customer utility bills rather than local property taxes, FirstEnergy is directly responsible for all infrastructure upkeep and repairs.
If you are currently experiencing an outage, please use the direct reporting tools below to ensure that FirstEnergy is aware of the issue.
Every time your power goes out, report it to FirstEnergy using one of the following methods:
If you feel that your outage is without cause (e.g. not from a severe storm or other unavoidable incident) or if it is taking an unreasonable amount of time for the outage to be fixed, you can file a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). It is the state agency responsible for regulating providers of essential utility services across Ohio.
Customers filing complaints with PUCO is very helpful when the City takes action against FirstEnergy. The large number of PUCO complaints that were lodged in 2025 were key to PUCO finding FirstEnergy to be in probable non-compliance, and again when PUCO rejected FirstEnergy’s appeal to loosen reliability standards in 2026.
Cove Community Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM and serves as a cooling center during heat waves, and as a warming center during severe cold weather. During extreme weather events, Cove Community Center’s hours of operation are extended to offer additional assistance. Call (216) 529-6685 or email humanservices@lakewoodoh.gov for the most up-to-date information.
The Center is equipped with air conditioning and heat, device charging, restrooms, and facilities to fill water bottles.
The Lakewood Community Services Center offers food assistance, housing assistance, and senior services.
If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and have been without power for four hours or more, you may be eligible for replacement benefits. Verification of the outage from your utility company is required.
Download and fill out the Statement Requesting Replacement of SNAP Benefits Form.
More information on how to submit applications and verifications can be found on the Cuyahoga County SNAP webpage.
If you lose your food due to a power outage, learn how to get food assistance from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
This county-wide program pools residents that are interested in installing rooftop solar panels onto their homes to secure discounted pricing on installation. The program is available to anyone living in Cuyahoga County.
Read more and register here: Cuyahoga County Solar Co-Op
Mayor George partners with City of Cleveland Councilman Slife and Councilman Kazy to formally petition PUCO for an investigation into the outages that occurred the week of June 23, 2025.
PUCO investigation results in letter of probable non-compliance to FirstEnergy.
FirstEnergy leadership holds a town hall meeting in Lakewood for the public. Residents share their experiences and feelings about the numerous outages.
August 11, 2025 - FirstEnergy Meeting Recording (credit: Lakewood Observer)
PUCO formally orders FirstEnergy to install two new transformers at a Lakewood substation, and complete inspection and repair of pole equipment no later than the end of 2026.
PUCO Staff Letter to Resolve Probable Non-Compliance - October 1, 2025City of Lakewood files legal intervention to oppose FirstEnergy’s application to lower its reliability standards with PUCO.
City Council issues resolution supporting intervention in FirstEnergy’s petition to lower reliability standards.
Mayor George submits affidavit and supporting evidence in opposition to FirstEnergy’s petition to lower its reliability standards.
Lakewood Law Director Ernie Vargo participates in PUCO hearings on reliability standards and cross-examines FirstEnergy officials.
New transformer delivered to Lakewood substation (Athens Avenue) in direct response to PUCO order from October 1.
Illuminating Company Delivers First of Two Transformers to Lakewood SubstationPUCO sides with Lakewood and denies FirstEnergy’s application to lower reliability standards.
Mayor George submits complaint to PUCO to reopen its investigation in response to multi-day blackouts during extreme summer heat (100°F heat index) caused by equipment failures.
PUCO Chair Jenifer French responds to Mayor George's July 6 complaint.
