Cleveland Public Power (CPP), the city‑owned electric utility serving about 74,000 customers, has yet to release a detailed modernization plan after a summer of heat waves, storms and widespread outages. The utility, founded in 1906, was described in a 2020 consulting report as “mired in systemic, performance and financial issues” and operating in an “unacceptable, unsafe” condition.

City officials expect a council briefing

Mayor Justin Bibb announced a “transformation plan” to modernize CPP, but the specifics have not been shared publicly. Cleveland City Council Member Brian Kazy, chair of the Utilities Committee, said he has reviewed the plan and expects the council to receive a presentation on October 29.

Cost estimates and funding options

The city’s utilities director has warned that necessary infrastructure upgrades could exceed $250 million. City spokesperson Marie Zickefoose described the effort as a long‑term roadmap covering reliability, customer experience, workforce development, operational fundamentals and the utility’s financial health, without a single price tag.

CPP Commissioner Ammon Danielson acknowledged the utility’s “very old distribution system” and the need to back up substations. He cautioned that higher costs could lead to rate increases, and noted legislation introduced in September to restructure rates over the next three years.

One proposed revenue source is expanding service to new customers, such as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The utility has also studied the feasibility of generating clean, locally sourced energy, while the city moves forward with solar projects on two landfills and a battery storage study.

Customer concerns and communication gaps

Residents have voiced frustration over reliability, billing transparency and communication during outages. “Keeping the lights on is the first thing,” said Sharon Rose, a Glenville landlord who uses both CPP and FirstEnergy. She highlighted the “power supply recovery charge” that makes up roughly half of her bill and called for clearer explanations.

CPP’s outage map and call center have been criticized for inadequate real‑time information. Dr. Jeremiah Escajeda, an emergency‑medicine physician, described the lack of communication during the Fourth of July outage as “totally inexcusable,” noting that patients relying on medical equipment were left without timely updates.

Community input and next steps

Local advocacy group Our CPP, led by Ohio City resident Jonathan Welle, is pushing for a resident advisory board and greater transparency on infrastructure needs. Residents also want the utility to address tree limbs contacting power lines and to improve billing clarity.

While some customers, like Glenville resident Charlene Patterson, report satisfactory service and express loyalty to the city‑owned utility, the overall consensus underscores a pressing need for upgrades, better communication and a clear financial plan.

The upcoming council presentation on October 29 will be the first public look at the comprehensive strategy to bring CPP into the 21st century.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.