Ross Whitehurst teaches “Personal Protective Grounding – Underground Applications” at the 2024 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo in Lafayette, Louisiana. He taught the class along with other members of the ElectriCities Safety & Training team.
The ElectriCities Safety and Training team brings many careers’ worth of experience and expertise to help lineworkers, meter technicians, and substation technicians throughout ElectriCities member communities gain the skills and expertise needed to work safely and advance their careers.
Next up is Ross Whitehurst, Supervisor of Safety & Training.
Ross has been a lineworker for 23 years. This month, he’s celebrating four years as an instructor at ElectriCities. Before joining ElectriCities, he served the Town of Tarboro for 19 years. That’s where he’s from. He and his wife, Kim, are the proud parents of Hailee, a junior at N.C. State University.
How did you get into linework?
I was working on a farm, doing landscaping, and coaching football at my old high school. I had just had one of those days at work when one of the assistant coaches, who was a line crew leader, asked me if I would like to try linework. So here I am.
What do you like best about teaching?
Interacting with the students and teaching the younger and older students new things about safety in linework.
Do you have a favorite class or school to teach?
At the rodeo, Ross also served as Chief Judge of an Apprentice event, “Single Phase Conductor Tie In with Armor Rods.”
Any school except transformer school. My favorite moment is when a student learns something new.
What’s the most important thing you want students to take away from class?
That they had fun and learned something from me in the school.
Ross said he likes to work, so students should expect a lot of that during class!
The American Public Power Association (APPA) presented Safety Awards of Excellence to nine ElectriCities of North Carolina member utilities for safe operating practices in 2023.
The award recognizes a utility’s comprehensive approach to safety, including its incident rate and the state of its safety program and culture.
Recipients of 2023 Safety Awards of Excellence are:
Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Gold: City of Shelby, N.C.
Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Gold: Wake Forest Power (N.C.)
Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Diamond: City of Gastonia, N.C.
Gold: City of Rock Hill, S.C.
Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Diamond: City of Concord, N.C.
Diamond: City of New Bern, N.C.
Diamond: Wilson Energy (N.C.)
Group F (systems with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Diamond: Fayetteville Public Works Commission (N.C.)
Gold: Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.)
“Safety is the top priority for ElectriCities and for our members, and creating and maintaining an exceptional safety program goes much deeper than ensuring employees wear the right equipment each day,” said Craig Batchelor, ElectriCities Manager of Safety and Training. “It takes developing an organization-wide mindset and culture of safety and then doing the work each day to maintain it. I commend these public power providers for their dedication.”
According to an APPA news release, 147 utilities nationwide earned Safety Awards of Excellence for 2023 out of the 160 utilities that entered.
To determine award winners, APPA first categorized entrants according to their number of worker-hours. APPA scored each entrant based on leading indicators—proactive, preventative, and predictive measures; lagging indicators—the occurrence and frequency of past events; and the overall state of their safety programs and culture during 2023.
For 2023, APPA evolved its safety award program “to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach in highlighting the definition of safety,” according to its website. Scores now result in certificates being awarded in three levels: Diamond, Platinum, and Gold. APPA members can find more information on 2023 updates and scoring in APPA’s Safety Awards of Excellence Application Guidebook.
“In our industry, safety has to be top of mind all day every day,” said Scott McKenzie, Chair of APPA’s Engineering and Operations Conference safety track and Senior Director of Member Training & Safety at AMP Inc. “These honored utilities have demonstrated a commitment to safety that runs through every aspect of their organizations.”
See the national list of 2023 Safety Awards of Excellence honorees at www.PublicPower.org.
Ten ElectriCities of North Carolina member utilities have earned the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.
The RP3 designation lasts for three years and recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines:
Reliability
Safety
Workforce development
System improvement
Receiving it demonstrates to community leaders, governing board members, suppliers, and service providers a utility’s commitment to its employees, customers, and community, according to APPA.
RP3 designations are awarded in three levels based on the number of points a utility earns in each of the four disciplines. Diamond is for 98-100 points, Platinum is for 90-<98 points, and Gold is for 80-<90 points.
Congratulations to these 2024 RP3 designees:
Diamond Level
Town of Granite Falls, N.C.
High Point Electric Utility (N.C.)
Platinum Level
Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.)
City of Kinston, N.C.
Town of Smithfield, N.C.
Wake Forest Power (N.C.)
Gold Level
City of Gastonia, N.C.
City of Shelby, N.C.
Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities (S.C.)
Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.)
“Earning RP3 designation is a significant achievement,” said Andy Fusco, ElectriCities Chief Strategy Officer. “The rigorous application process not only measures a utility’s current state, it also ensures that the utility has the sound business practices in place to continue safely delivering reliable electricity to its customers for years to come.”
The 10 ElectriCities member utilities are part of 91 utilities nationwide that earned the designation in 2024. In North Carolina, 23 public power communities hold RP3 designations—more than in any other state, and 28 ElectriCities members across the Carolinas and Virginia are RP3 designees.
“Congratulations to all our RP3-designated members,” Andy said. “Their efforts reflect their commitment to their customers and communities and will help them successfully work through the strategic plan for public power in our region.”
Congratulations to the 25 ElectriCities of North Carolina member utilities that received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2023:
City of Albemarle, N.C.
City of Gastonia, N.C.
City of Laurinburg, N.C.
City of Lumberton, N.C.
City of Monroe, N.C.
City of Newberry, S.C.
City of Newton, N.C.
City of Rocky Mount, N.C.
Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.)
Martinsville Electric Department (Va.)
New River Light & Power (N.C.)
North Carolina State University (N.C.)
Seneca Light & Water (S.C.)
Town of Apex, N.C.
Town of Clayton, N.C.
Town of Cornelius, N.C.
Town of Front Royal, Va.
Town of Huntersville, N.C.
Town of Landis, N.C.
Town of Louisburg, N.C.
Town of Maiden, N.C.
Town of Pineville, N.C.
Town of Tarboro, N.C.
Town of Wake Forest, N.C.
Wilson Energy (N.C.)
Each earned a Certificate of Excellence in Reliability from the American Public Power Association (APPA).
“Our member utilities’ devotion to their local communities is best expressed through their relentless efforts to keep the lights on through any storm, challenge, or natural disaster,” said Sherri Callery, Manager of Grid Innovation at ElectriCities. “We congratulate these utilities and commend them for their unwavering commitment to maintaining safe and reliable electric service.”
Honorees have been tracking their power outage and restoration data through APPA’s eReliability Tracker. Using the web-based subscription service—an ElectriCities member benefit—utilities can collect, categorize, and summarize outage and restoration data and run reports throughout the year.
Once a year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics that the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) tracks for all types of electric utilities. APPA awards Certificates of Excellence in Reliability to those utilities that have a System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) in the top 25% of utilities nationally.
“This year, we had an impressive increase in the number of ElectriCities members achieving this recognition—56% more than last year,” Sherri said. “That illuminates the effectiveness of our members’ leadership, collaboration, and mutual support, resulting in improved public power reliability across the region.”
Public power customers are without power for less than half the amount of time customers of other power providers are, according to national averages reported to the EIA.
North Carolina’s public power customers fare even better. They experience 41.5% fewer outages than customers of other power providers in the state. And when the power does go out, the outage lasts, on average, only about one-third as long as those with other providers.
“Tracking outages unlocks valuable, actionable data,” Sherri said. “It enables you to benchmark your utility’s reliability, uncover areas you can improve, and showcase outstanding reliability as part of the critical value your public power utility provides.”
If you’re an ElectriCities member interested in tracking your utility’s reliability, please contact Sherri Callery.
Jeff Freeman goes over a job briefing in the training yard during an ElectriCities class
The ElectriCities Safety and Training team brings several careers’ worth of experience and expertise to help lineworkers, meter technicians, and substation technicians throughout ElectriCities member communities gain the skills and expertise needed to work safely and advance their careers.
Next up is Senior Safety & Training Specialist Jeff Freeman.
Jeff is from the northwest part of Gaston County, in the Bessemer City and Cherryville areas. He and his wife have three kids. Their two girls are 24 and 26, their son is 12, and they have a 15-month-old granddaughter. A huge fan of the outdoors, Jeff loves working outside, hunting, fishing, and seeing the world.
He’s been a lineworker for 29 years. This May, he’ll celebrate four years as an instructor at ElectriCities.
How did you get into linework?
I was raised working on a farm. When I graduated from high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My friend’s dad said I would make a good hand on an electric underground residential crew for Pike Electric and gave me a job. I had no idea about electricity or how it worked.
What do you like best about teaching?
Lineworkers demonstrate their skills in ElectriCities’ Climbing School, instructed by Jeff Freeman (blue shirt)
When I see a student pick up on something they didn’t know or understand. This makes me feel like I’m helping them succeed and making them better.
Do you have a favorite class or school to teach?
Basic classes are usually my favorite. These guys are usually new to the industry and are eager to learn. They are sponges soaking up everything you give them.
What’s the most important thing you want students to take away from class?
That they work in a hazardous industry and, by the choices they make by following all safety rules and procedures, they will be safe.
Are you looking to beat the heat and hold on to more of your hard-earned cash? We’ve got you covered! The following tips can reduce your electric use and lower your monthly energy bill.
Change dirty air filters. Dirty filters make your HVAC unit work up to 15% harder. That means it uses more energy to get results. And using more energy means a higher bill! Ditch the dirty filter and swap it for a fresh, clean one each month. Cheap filters work just as well as the more expensive kind. Your unit (and your monthly bill) will thank you!
Set your thermostat to 78°F. For every degree above 78°, you’ll save 3-5% on cooling costs. The reverse is also true, so for every degree below 78°, your bill will increase by 3-5%.
Use a ceiling fan along with your AC. A fan can make you feel 4° cooler and costs only pennies to operate. But remember: Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you’re not in the room.
Close the window shades. Blocking the sun is a simple way to cool your home, especially during the hottest times of the day.
Check the weather stripping around your doors and windows. Try the dollar test. Close a door or window on a dollar bill and try to pull it loose. If it slides out easily, you need to replace your weatherstripping. A 1/8-inch gap around a door or window lets out the same amount of air as a 2 1/2-inch hole in your wall. Yikes! Keep the cool air inside your home!
Get your central AC system checked by a professional once a year. An improperly running unit can bump up your monthly bill.
These tips only touch the surface. For a full spectrum of ideas on using less energy—and reducing the risk of getting scorched by a high electric bill, visit energy.gov/save.
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., has again been named one of the nation’s top utilities by Business Facilities, a leading economic development and site selection magazine.
Since 2017, the publication has selected its annual list of the country’s leading utilities based on their work in advancing the industry, engaging the community, and helping bring economic development to their coverage areas. ElectriCities has been on the list every year.
Announcing ElectriCities as a top utility for 2024, Business Facilities highlighted ElectriCities’ Industrial Electrification & Efficiency Grant Program, “a powerful new tool available to support existing business and industry within North Carolina’s public power communities,” Business Facilities editors wrote.
The competitive grant program enables commercial and industrial electric customers to make energy efficiency improvements within their facilities. ElectriCities piloted the program in 2023 and is considering expanding it in 2024.
Business Facilities also highlighted two recent ElectriCities-driven economic development successes in North Carolina public power communities:
1) Redevelopment of an abandoned and previously contaminated former furniture manufacturing site in the public power community of Drexel, North Carolina.
“ElectriCities assembled a group of partners, including federal, state, and local level agencies and grantors, to acquire the property, clean up the environmental contamination, and raise more than $6 million to add the infrastructure required for a modern, rail-served industrial site,” wrote Business Facilities editors.
2) Siemens Mobility breaking ground on its $220 million advanced manufacturing and rail services facility at one of ElectriCities’ shovel-ready Smart Sites in the public power community of Lexington, North Carolina.
“ElectriCities also helped Siemens meet its environmental and sustainability goals by working with the company to develop a strategy to support facility operations with renewable energy,” wrote the editors.
“The projects Business Facilities cited exemplify the diverse opportunities in public power communities across North Carolina, where one size does not fit all,” said Carl Rees, Manager of Economic and Community Development at ElectriCities. “ElectriCities works with each community to attract businesses and grow their economies according to each community’s unique strengths.”
Learn more about how ElectriCities supports economic development in North Carolina public power communities at www.ElectriCities.com/EconDev.
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., presented 15 North Carolina communities with Public Power Awards of Excellence at ElectriCities’ 2023 Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The awards reflect public power’s strategic priorities, recognizing exceptional achievement in the following categories: Future-focused, Strengthen Public Power, Provide Superior Power, Customer-centered Innovation, and People.
To continue the celebration, we’re sharing more about each award category and highlighting a few of the communities whose efforts stand out. As you learn about the endeavors in public power communities throughout our region, it becomes clear that excellence lives here.
The People Award celebrates communities that leverage our people as our greatest asset. Maintaining a culture of service excellence in the face of a changing workforce and technology landscape demands that communities attract, develop, and retain a new, diverse generation of utility leaders.
2022 Winners:
Albemarle
Fayetteville PWC
Greenville Utilities Commission
Kinston
Maiden
New Bern
New River Light and Power
Rocky Mount
Statesville
Wilson
Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) promotes success for their People through several initiatives that expand career pathways for employees at all levels.
To expand early-career pathways, Fayetteville PWC attends career fairs and school-organized events to teach students about careers in public power. Fayetteville PWC partners with Cumberland County Schools to employ students for six weeks during the summer and offers a summer intern program for college students.
Fayetteville PWC employees receive training and resources, mentorship, and an individualized plan to help them progress in their careers.
Through these initiatives, Fayetteville PWC proves how much it values its people and exemplifies the spirit of our People-focused Public Power Award of Excellence.
The City of Kinston proves it valuesPeople as its greatest asset with a new pay scale for full-time employees, including those in the electric and customer service departments.
With the new transparent pay scale, employees receive a promotion and a salary increase for completing ElectriCities’ career development programs.
The career development programs encourage lineworkers and customer service employees to advance their careers while improving their knowledge and skills.
The ElectriCities Safety and Training team brings several careers’ worth of experience and expertise to help lineworkers, meter technicians, and substation technicians throughout ElectriCities member communities gain the skills and expertise needed to work safely and advance their careers.
Over the next several months, we’ll introduce you to each of our instructors. We kicked off February introducing you to Senior Safety & Training Specialist Mark Todd. We’ll close out the month getting to know Craig Batchelor, ElectriCities’ Manager of Safety & Training.
Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety & Training at ElectriCities
Craig is from Nashville in eastern North Carolina—the original Nashville, he said. 😉 He worked on his uncle’s farm from middle school through high school. Craig is engaged and has two children. His 12-year-old son is in middle school, and his 17-year-old daughter is heading to ECU in the fall.
Craig has been an ElectriCities instructor for nearly 7 years and a lineworker for 25. At ElectriCities, he was originally hired to teach the Lineworker Career Development Program for our member cities. After a few years, he transitioned to facilitating our safety schools at Nash Community College.
Now, as Manager, Craig oversees ElectriCities’ Safety & Training programs, including safety schools and career development programs.
How did you get into linework?
After trying college out for a year, I came home and decided that wasn’t for me. Dad told me I had to get a job. I had some high school friends who worked at Wilson Energy, and they were able to get me an interview. I started my career in linework in August 1999 at Wilson Energy and was there for almost 17 years.
What do you like best about teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is seeing students “get it.” Fortunately, our Safety & Training team shares the importance of helping students understand what’s being taught.
Do you have a favorite class or school to teach?
Craig Batchelor (right) works with an ElectriCities member to demonstrate bucket truck self-rescue techniques at the NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo in May 2023. Craig, along with ElectriCities Supervisor of Safety and Training Ross Whitehurst, also taught the crucial techniques at the 2023 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo in Kansas City, Missouri.
I have two: Climbing School and the Leadership Skills for Crew Leaders workshop.
Climbing School because most of these guys are new to linework and are sponges for the information presented to them.
Leadership Skills because these folks are prepping to take a crew leader role at their city and are no longer shielded from the public and management. We go in depth in this class about what conversations and situations may arise and how to professionally handle them. I see a different side of lineworkers in this class, because they’ve spent their career learning a trade to get to a crew leader position and sometimes don’t realize that managing a crew is just one part of what they’ll face ahead.
What’s a favorite moment from class?
My favorite moments from any class are when the students become the teachers. It’s evident as an instructor when we see students that stand out and other students reach out to get a peer perspective on what’s going on.
That lets me know two things. 1) The information and instruction are reaching the students. 2) The students are making lifelong contacts in the industry while adding to the discussion and overall effectiveness of the school.
What’s the most important thing you want students to take away from class?
The number one thing we want students to take away is the knowledge to work safely, no matter the task. We also want them to have the confidence to ask questions at their city or town when they think there could be a safety issue. Finally, I want them to know I’m available if they have questions, during the class or after they’ve returned home.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The Safety & Training staff are no different than the potential students. We started in this industry the same way they did. We can relate to and understand what it takes to get from where they are now to where they want to be.
Cooler temperatures don’t have to mean a higher energy bill. These simple tips will help you save energy and money all winter long. (Some tips might surprise you!)
68 is the magic number. Set your thermostat to 68˚F or lower when heating your home. Every degree above 68 can increase your heating costs by a whopping 3% to 5%!
Save while you’re away. Take advantage of programmable thermostats. Depending on your system, you can set your thermostat to automatically turn the heat down at night and when you’re out of the house.
Small isn’t always mighty. Despite what you might think, space heaters use a lot of energy and can increase your monthly bill. If you have energy-efficient central heating in your home, use that instead.
Hello sunshine! Sunlight helps heat your home for free. Open drapes to let the sun stream in!
Remember your maintenance. Be sure to do these three things regularly:
When you’re not using your fireplace, make sure your damper is closed.
Check or replace air filters once a month.
Clean air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators, making sure they aren’t blocked.
