The following is a letter from Commissioner Delrico J. Loyd. It was written and provided to the Courier after Consumers Energy announced plans for a power outage overnight tonight – then said they would postpone the outage.
December 6, 2024
To my friends and neighbors —
I hope this message finds you well. Today, I want to address this morning’s announcement from
Consumers Energy regarding the planned power outage that was set to impact thousands of residents
in Flint, including in District 1 of Genesee County, which I am proud to represent. I’m pleased to share
that, after our collective advocacy, Consumers Energy has chosen to postpone this outage.
This decision reflects the power of collective action and my commitment to being responsive to the
needs of our residents. As I stated when taking office, I am committed to community collaboration to
improve the quality of life for all residents. This is just one example of what it looks like when we
prioritize the needs of our residents and work together, as friends and neighbors should, for the benefit
of all.
I want to extend a hand of friendship and gratitude to Consumers Energy for their willingness to work
with our community in finding a solution that minimizes the impact on residents. This experience is
proof positive of what we can do when we stand united in the face of a challenge. By working together
in this manner, we can address issues and find solutions before they become a significant burden on
our most vulnerable populations.
As I thank Consumers Energy responding quickly to our concerns, I call upon Consumers Energy to adopt additional community-sensitive approaches including:
Future and frequent engagement sessions in the City of Flint and surrounding communities to keep lines of communication open and to seek out new ideas.
Conducting maintenance during daytime hours when temperatures are higher and residents are awake to address issues.
Providing advance notice and temporary resources, such as warming centers and free alternative heating and energy sources to mitigate the impact of outages.
Developing advance plans to ensure that critical care facilities and those dependent on medical devices remain protected during outages.
Thank you to all residents, community advocates and leaders in our community for coming together atma moment’s notice for a common cause. I hope everyone continues to remain engaged as we work toward a brighter future for residents across Flint and Genesee County.
In your service,
Delrico J. Loyd
Genesee County Commissioner – District 1
