Calfee Energy and Utilities Attorney Jim Lang Quoted in Ideastream Public Media Article on Municipal Streetlight Challenges

Mentioned and Quoted

Calfee Partner and Co-Chair of the Energy and Utilities practice group Jim Lang was quoted in the September 5, 2025, Ideastream Public Media article, “In Warren, Akron, Council Members Are on a Quest to Keep Their Streetlights On,” which explores how local officials are working to hold utilities accountable for streetlight outages impacting public safety and neighborhood visibility. 

In the article written by Amy Eddings, Jim commented on the cost-recovery structure utilities use when billing municipalities for streetlight service. “To the average consumer, it may seem unfair to pay something for nothing,” said Jim. “But it’s standard practice for utilities, which have invested tens of millions of dollars on energy infrastructure and seek to recoup that money.” 

The article highlights efforts by Akron and Warren city council members to document outages and push for repairs, underscoring broader concerns about infrastructure reliability and utility responsiveness. 

Read the full Ideastream Public Media article. 

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