Lakewood, Ohio, has taken a significant step in its pursuit of enhanced power reliability by officially joining Barberton in a motion to intervene in a case before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). This case involves FirstEnergy’s request to reduce its obligations for providing safe and reliable electricity to its customers.
FirstEnergy has responded to the situation with a statement outlining its commitment to upgrade Ohio’s electrical infrastructure, pledging an investment of more than $3 billion through 2029. The utility emphasizes that these enhancements will improve service reliability for residents in Lakewood and Barberton.
FirstEnergy’s Commitment to Infrastructure Improvements
In a statement provided to cleveland.com, FirstEnergy articulated its focus on modernizing the electrical grid. The company stated, “These upgrades are designed to deliver more reliable, resilient service to customers for years to come.” It acknowledged that while benefits from this investment will take time to materialize, its request to adjust reliability standards should not be perceived as a retreat from its commitment to service excellence.
FirstEnergy expressed confidence in the ongoing projects and reiterated its dedication to the communities it serves, asserting that “Lakewood, Barberton, and all Ohio customers deserve a modern grid that’s built for the future.”
Lakewood’s concerns regarding FirstEnergy also extend to ongoing issues with chronic power outages that began in late 2022 and have continued to affect residents. The situation escalated to the point where FirstEnergy held a town hall meeting on August 11, which attracted around 100 attendees. During this meeting, the utility announced plans to invest $12.5 million in infrastructure improvements, which includes $6.9 million allocated for the installation of smart meters.
Lakewood Officials Advocate for Residents
Following FirstEnergy’s statement, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George expressed optimism about the utility’s commitment to improving the town’s electrical infrastructure. She stated, “We’re encouraged by FirstEnergy’s pledge to invest in Lakewood’s electrical infrastructure and are eager to see the completed work.”
Mayor George also emphasized her administration’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the best interests of Lakewood’s residents and businesses, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring that the community’s needs are addressed during this transition.
As Lakewood and Barberton navigate their involvement in the PUCO case, the outcome will hold significant implications for the future of electrical service in these communities. The collaboration between local officials and FirstEnergy may pave the way for a more reliable power supply, addressing longstanding issues and enhancing infrastructure to meet modern demands. The focus remains on achieving improvements that benefit all stakeholders involved.
