Barberton Mayor William B. Judge has raised urgent concerns regarding the rising number of power outages affecting the city, emphasizing the need for action from regulatory authorities and First Energy. In a letter addressed to Chair French, PUCO Commissioners, and First Energy CEO Brian Tierney, Mayor Judge highlighted a troubling trend of consistent and unexplained outages, which have persisted and intensified in recent times.
The letter outlines how these outages jeopardize the health and safety of residents, particularly those with medical devices that rely on power. Additionally, the inconvenience extends to residents who find themselves trapped in multi-story buildings due to elevator failures, as well as those working from home who are unable to perform their jobs effectively. The disruption has also led to the failure of traffic lights and street lighting, creating hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and drivers.
Economic repercussions are also severe, as local businesses face shutdowns, further impacting Barberton’s overall economic climate and its connection to the global economy. Mayor Judge pointed out that although First Energy has been responsive when contacted, there is a concerning lack of proactive communication and solutions aimed at mitigating the root causes of these outages.
The mayor has formally requested that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) investigate the increasing frequency and duration of these outages. He also called for improved transparency in reporting and solutions to prevent future disruptions. He mentioned his request for SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) and SAIFI (System Average Interruption Frequency Index) reports for Barberton, which have yet to be provided.
By urging regulators and the utility company to address these systemic issues, Mayor Judge is advocating for a collaborative effort to ensure a reliable power supply for Barberton’s residents and businesses. This situation illustrates the critical importance of accountability and communication in maintaining public utilities and the welfare of the community.