Extended Blackouts are the Consequence of the Climate Crisis Added to Historic Neglect 

For Immediate Release: August 27, 2026
Contact: Gabrielle Levy, glevy@cacampaign.org

CAC’s Alt: Extended Blackouts are the Consequence of the Climate Crisis Added to Historic Neglect 

WASHINGTON – Residents in two majority-black cities this month were without power for days thanks to severe storms. In Gary, Indiana, thousands of people were without power for more than two weeks following severe storms that downed power lines and left at least seven people dead. On Saturday, high winds left tens of thousands in Memphis, TN, in the dark, and forced school closures. CAC Director Margie Alt issued the following statement: 

“Tens of thousands of residents in Gary and Memphis have gone days, in some cases weeks, without power following recent storms. Overwhelmingly, these lingering outages have been concentrated in Black neighborhoods, where residents have been left to sit in the dark, their food spoiling, their medications unrefrigerated, and their lives at risk, even as power was restored far sooner in the whiter parts of both cities. Whether the cause is aging infrastructure or outright discrimination, the result is the same: Black communities are left waiting longer for the lights to come back on.

"The Trump administration, fossil fuel executives, and their allies in Congress have repeatedly chosen to prioritize profit over people, neglecting critical infrastructure and rolling out the welcome mat for polluters. The climate crisis amplifies these harms as does environmental racism. The people of Gary and Memphis deserve to have their power restored now. These communities and communities across the country must see real investments in climate resilience and clean energy so they can better withstand grid-straining extreme storms and heat as they happen and stave off even worse climate impacts in the future. Congress — everyone should be demanding answers and holding those responsible for this gross neglect to account."

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About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.