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FirstEnergy commits $3M for repairs, improvements to Cleveland, Lakewood substations in meeting with lawmakers

Cleveland 19 News · last updated July 9, 2025 – 5:02 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) — FirstEnergy committed $3 million for improvements and repairs to Cleveland and Lakewood substations in a Thursday meeting with lawmakers

According to a release, Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George, Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy, Lakewood Council President Sarah Kepple, and State Representative Tristan Rader met with FirstEnergy decision-makers, demanding solutions to the “chronic power failures affecting Lakewood and Cleveland’s west side neighborhoods.”

At the meeting, FirstEnergy acknowledged that the issues do not stem from weather events or accidents, but from issues with FirstEnergy equipment and infrastructure, according to the release.

FirstEnergy committed $3 million for the replacement of a transformer, new breakers, increased inspections of its equipment in the area and to maintain a mobile substation at its southern Lakewood facility until the upgrades are completed.

According to the release from Lakewood, FirstEnergy said it would improve communication with local government and the public on these matters moving forward.

On Wednesday, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) launched an investigation into the chronic and ongoing power outages by FirstEnergy in Lakewood and the west side of Cleveland.

This comes after George, Kazy and Cleveland City Councilman Charles Slife sent a joint letter demanding an investigation into the constant power outages.

In a response to the joint letter, PUCO Chair Jenifer French said, “I would like to make you aware that Staff has opened an investigation into the ongoing power outages, and the requests that you have made are already underway.”

On June 27, Cleveland City Councilmember Charles Slife took to Facebook to address the mounting concerns of recurring power outages throughout the West Park neighborhood.

In the post, Slife encouraged residents to file complaints with the PUCO.

Back in January, Slife said he and Councilmember Brian Kazy submitted a letter to the PUCO about the 10 reported power outages in West Park over a 60-day period. As of Friday, he said there has been no formal response.

According to Slife, the area has experienced three outages in just five days last week.

Back in June, 19 News also reached out to FirstEnergy for more information. The company released the following statement:

We recognize how challenging power outages can be, especially during extreme weather. The extreme heat can place significant stress on the electric grid and impact equipment performance. We have restored power to approximately 4,700 of the approximately 10,700 customers impacted and continue working as quickly and safety as possible to restore service to the others.
While I don’t have an expected restoration time for the remaining customers as this time, we will follow up when that’s available.
Reducing the frequency and duration of outages in this community through increased inspections and targeted infrastructure upgrades is part of our Energize365 initiative. We’re accelerating approximately $2 million in system upgrades at the substation and along power lines that serve customers who have been affected by frequent outages to address concerns as quickly as possible.Our goal is to be transparent about the work we’re doing and how it will improve your service. We’re committed to delivering a more reliable and modern power system, and we appreciate your ongoing patience.

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FirstEnergy commits $3M for repairs, improvements to Cleveland, Lakewood substations in meeting with lawmakers

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