PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he is working closely with utility companies to restore power.

On Wednesday, one of Pittsburgh's hottest days of the year, Shapiro visited the Homewood YMCA. While the center's air conditioning worked just fine, thousands in the area were without power due to persistent storms.

“Our PEMA, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Authority, as well as other members of my administration are in contact with your local power company and local government to try to help people without power, especially on a hot day like this,” Shapiro said, “to get the numbers down as much as possible.”

Some say utilities could respond more quickly, better prepare for storms, and adapt the power grid to 21st century climate change.

“Do you think the utilities are doing everything they can to make sure they are improving their power supply and using all alternative sources to keep the power on?” asked Jon Delano of KDKA-TV.

“I can tell you that I have confidence in our utility companies,” Shapiro said. “I think they're working very hard. We communicate with them regularly.”

Shapiro said he is working closely with utilities to support a comprehensive approach to power generation that includes the use of cleaner energy sources.

Shapiro rejects Trump's criticism of the states' electoral systems.

In a recent interview with KDKA-TV, former President Donald Trump questioned the integrity of Pennsylvania's electoral system, particularly with regard to mail-in voting.

Delano: “What are these concerns?”

Trump card: “Well, I certainly have concerns. Anytime there's mail-in voting and anytime there's things like what happened in Pennsylvania, those are not concerns. I mean, we just have to stop it.”

“The former president said it was time to eliminate mail-in voting. Are you convinced that mail-in voting will be as secure as possible?” asked Delano Shapiro.

“Yes,” Shapiro said. “Donald Trump's lies about our elections do nothing but undermine people's faith in our democracy.”

“We will again have free, fair and secure elections and the will of the people will be respected,” he added.

Shapiro said it is important to remember that mail-in voting was approved by a Republican state legislature and enjoys bipartisan support because it makes it easier for many Pennsylvanians to vote.