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Spotlight on ElectriCities Safety Instructor Anthony Michaels

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.

ElectriCities Safety and Training team members Ross Whitehurst, Nick Whitley, and Anthony Michaels at the 2023 NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo in Greenville, North Carolina.

To give you a peek into that experience and expertise, we’re introducing you to each of our instructors.

So far, you’ve met:

Now let’s get to know Anthony Michaels, Senior Safety & Training Specialist.

Anthony has been a lineworker for 29 years, starting right out of high school. This month he’s celebrating two years as an instructor with ElectriCities. Before joining ElectriCities, he served the Town of Dallas for almost 23 years, working his way up from lineworker to supervisor.

Born and raised in the Gastonia area, Anthony says the love for linework runs in his family. His brother, nephew, and his niece’s husband are all lineworkers. That makes family gatherings full of interesting stories and conversations.

How did you get into linework?

At the store one day, a guy asked me if I was looking for work. I asked him what kind of work, and he said “linework.” I wasn’t sure what he meant and asked him, “What’s linework?” He pointed up to the sky and said, “See those wires on top of the pole?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “Working on them.” So, I went to work for Pike Electric and was there a little over four years.

What do you like best about teaching?

I enjoy seeing the excitement in the younger guys who are just starting their career and their eagerness to learn and work.

Anthony Michaels (left) teaches equipotential grounding during a hands-on session at the 2024 NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo in Concord, North Carolina.

Do you have a favorite class or school to teach?

I like teaching all the schools. Climbing is a good school because you really get to help the students learn what linework is all about. In the advanced schools, you can see the progression of the students as they have come through the ElectriCities Apprenticeship Program.

What’s the most important thing you want students to take away from class?

To be able to perform their jobs safely and have the know-how to do it.

Anthony’s connection with his students doesn’t end when class is over. He tells them, “If I could ever help you in any way—even once you’re through the Apprenticeship Program, don’t hesitate to call me.”

He mainly teaches at our Newberry, South Carolina, facility. He helps at the other training locations when needed, as does everyone on the Safety and Training team, he said.

Coming up, Anthony will be teaching Basic Underground (ELT 211), Aug. 19-23, in Newberry and Advanced Underground (ELT 212), Oct. 7-11, in Newberry.

View the full training schedule here. If you have questions about classes or registration, contact Susanne Taylor, Member Training and Engagement Specialist at ElectriCities.

Public Power Communities Prepare for Hurricane Season Year-round

Nobody looks forward to hurricane season and the destruction storms can bring.

At the Climate Prediction Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service forecasters have predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin in 2024.

But residents and business owners in public power communities can be confident that their locally based electric utility crews are ready to respond to storms and to keep their lights shining.

Public power communities prepare for hurricane season all year to ensure that local electric grids are reliable and resilient when adverse weather strikes.

All year long, electric utility employees in public power communities focus on performing maintenance and removing dangers to the electric grid. That includes replacing aging utility poles and trimming trees that threaten to interfere with power lines.

Public power communities also benefit from a mutual aid network that enables them to give and receive support from lineworkers in public power communities nearby or across the country.

Nick Whitley is Supervisor of Safety and Training with ElectriCities, a membership organization that supports public power communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Whitley coordinates mutual aid for ElectriCities member communities.

“When a storm ravages a community, mutual aid crews work with local crews as the first responders who safely and quickly restore power in dangerous conditions,” says Whitley. “Prioritizing hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, and other critical infrastructure, crews work circuit-by-circuit to get every light back on.”

After a storm passes and once the lights are back on, public power communities remain focused on maintaining a resilient electric grid.

“From hurricane training drills to tree trimming maintenance, public power communities are always preparing for the threat of a storm,” says Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety and Training at ElectriCities. “By preparing year-round, public power communities set themselves up for success in the face of dangerous storms and remain ready to support other communities through mutual aid.”

Transitioning to Summer Load Management

Whether your community’s load management programs use switches, generators, or both, if you haven’t already prepared for the summer heat, it’s time. Details may differ for each community, but the goal is the same: Reduce your wholesale power costs by decreasing the demand on your electric system when demand for electricity is highest.

Residential Load Management

Participating in a residential load management program involves having a remotely controlled switch attached to customers’ appliances that have the most impact on peak demand.

“Now is a good time to inform those customers who aren’t participating in load management about how your program works and the value of it—especially with the extreme heat North Carolina summers can bring,” says Jason Thigpen, Manager of Power Supply Operations at Electricities.

NCEMPA members can use our Load Management Switch Program bill insert to educate customers. These and other bill inserts are free for ElectriCities members.

Customers already participating in residential load management need a different message. Transitioning from winter to summer means:

  1. Different appliances are affected. Water heaters are typically controlled year-round, but air conditioners replace heat strips in the summer months.
  2. Load management time of day changes. In winter, peak demand is usually 6-8 a.m. Summer peak periods are longer and typically in the afternoon—about 2-7 p.m., with most occurring 3-6 p.m.

Utility, Commercial, and Industrial Load Management

Much of non-residential load management involves generators on both sides of the meter. Whether your program involves generators the city or town owns or the customer owns, take time now to get them ready for summer.

Jack Yox, Supervisor of Distributed Resources at ElectriCities, advises:

  1. Walk around the generator to check for leaks, puddles, or other issues that need attention.
  2. Top off the radiator coolant.
  3. Inspect fan belts for condition and proper tension.
  4. Inspect fluid hoses for leaks and possible defects.
  5. Ensure battery chargers are working properly and batteries are fully charged.
  6. Ensure enclosure louvers operate correctly.
  7. Top off storage fuel tanks to prevent condensation.
  8. Treat fuel with anti-gel/antimicrobial additives.
  9. Polish stored fuels to extract contaminants, including microbials, particulates, and water, that can cause significant engine problems.

No matter the season, Jack recommends these ongoing practices to ensure generators are in top shape and ready when you need them—whether for load management or emergency operation:

  1. Change oil regularly and replace fuel, oil, and air filters.
  2. Perform periodic switchgear maintenance.
  3. Regularly lubricate breakers.
  4. Calibrate DOC equipment annually and ensure it works.
  5. Complete monthly above-ground fuel tank inspections in accordance with the SP001 AST Inspection Standard.

“Almost every member in North Carolina participates in load management in some form, which collectively saves members millions of dollars each year,” says Jason. “Taking steps now to prepare to manage the summer demand peaks ensures your utility and your customers don’t miss out on those savings.”

Sharing information about load management is another way to show your customers that their hometown public power utility is working to help them reduce energy use and save money.
For more information about load management or transitioning to summer load management, contact Jason Thigpen.

Energy Efficiency Experts Share Money-Saving Tips for Summer

Yes, you can reduce your energy bill, even in the sweltering summer heat.

That’s according to John Keever, Lead Energy Services Specialist, and Alan Miller, Energy Advisor, both with ElectriCities of North Carolina.

Keever and Miller conduct energy audits for public power customers throughout North Carolina.

When it comes to saving energy, they say small actions can add up to big results. With these tips, you can beat the heat this summer and reduce your risk of getting scorched by a high electric bill.

Close the window shades. Blocking the sun is a simple way to cool your home, especially during the hottest times of the day.

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%.

“It surprises people when I tell them that their cooling system is not designed to stay at 68° in the summer,” Keever says.

Use a ceiling fan along with your AC. A fan can make you feel 4° cooler and only costs pennies.

But, Miller says, “Remember: Fans cool people, not rooms. For more savings, turn them off when you’re not around.”

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.

Change dirty air filters. Dirty filters make your HVAC unit work 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.

That doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. “Cheap filters work just as well as the more expensive kind,” Miller says.

Clean up around your HVAC unit. Don’t let foliage or debris pile up. It forces your unit to work harder to pull in outside air.

Get your central AC system checked by a professional once a year. An improperly running unit can bump up your monthly bill.

Ask your electric provider for an energy audit. Unlock personalized tips for using electricity efficiently by inviting an expert to inspect your home.

“Concerns over high bills drive most energy audits, so we focus on reducing your utility bill, increasing energy efficiency, and improving comfort in your home,” says Keever.

For more ways to use less energy and reduce your electric bill, visit energy.gov/save.

NCAMES Hall of Fame Gets a New Member

Congratulations to New Bern’s Mike Harper, the latest public power legend inducted into the NCAMES Hall of Fame.

Enthusiastic hard worker, teammate, leader, fierce competitor, teacher, mentor, and friend—all words that come up when talking about Mike.

After working as a groundman for various contractors, Mike joined the City of New Bern as a 2nd class lineman back in November 1991. He retired in December 2022 as the Transmission and Distribution Manager, and he continues to share his expertise through consulting.

Charles Bauschard, Director of Public Utilities for the City of New Bern, nominated Mike for the Hall of Fame.

“During his 31 years with the City of New Bern, Mike set the standard for the lineman profession,” Charles said. Working his way up from groundman to manager, “he maintained an excellent safety record and expected no less from others working next to him.”

Mike served as an instructor in ElectriCities safety schools. And he assisted in numerous emergency events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods, helping restore power in communities across the state and the country.

A decorated rodeo competitor, Mike helped plan, construct, judge, and administer many rodeos for the American Public Power Association and NCAMES.

Mike is the only four-time NCAMES Overall Journeyman, and he was a member of the NCAMES rodeo team that won Overall Journeyman at the 2008 APPA rodeo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Philip Hiatt, NCAMES president and Senior Electrical Engineer for the City of High Point, worked with Mike on the NCAMES Safety and Training Committee for many years.

“Mike is one of those people you don’t forget once you meet him,” Philip said. “He always had time to talk and would tell you how he was going to run a rodeo event, but he would say, ‘You still got to beat me.’”

“I am grateful for the contributions Mike made to our industry,” Charles added. “Mike has made this world, our industry, and the local community a better place to live.”

Congratulations Mike! And thank you for your years of dedicated service.

52 ElectriCities Members Recognized for Excellent Safety Records in 2023

Congratulations to the 52 ElectriCities member utilities that had no lost workday cases due to accidents or injuries in 2023.

Recipients of the 2023 ElectriCities Municipal Electric Safety Awards are:

North Carolina

Albemarle Laurinburg
Belhaven Lexington
Benson Lincolnton
Cherryville Louisburg
Clayton Maiden
Dallas Monroe
East Carolina University Morganton
Edenton New Bern
Elizabeth City New River Light & Power
Enfield N.C. State University
Farmville Pinetops
Fayetteville Public Works Commission Pineville
Forest City Scotland Neck
Fremont Selma
Gastonia Shelby
Granite Falls Smithfield
Greenville Utilities Commission Tarboro
Hamilton Walstonburg
Hobgood Washington
Hookerton Waynesville
Kings Mountain Western Carolina University
Kinston Wilson
Landis Winterville

South Carolina

Easley

Greer Public Works

McCormick Public Works

Newberry

Westminster

Virginia

Danville

ElectriCities Senior Safety & Training Specialist Mark Todd, CUSP, recognized each member for their perfect records and safe operating practices at the North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric System (NCAMES) conference on May 9.

Reporting on-the-job accidents and injuries is required by OSHA, but Mark says it’s not just for record-keeping and awards. The reports provide an opportunity for utility employees to revisit safe work practices, often with the help of the ElectriCities Safety & Training team.

The team uses the information to tweak training classes and to ensure they emphasize certain safety practices.

“If, for example, we’re seeing a lot of lineworkers with injuries caused by trips and slips, that tells us we need to review the importance of identifying hazards before work begins and staying aware of your surroundings while you work,” Mark said.

Even when everyone is committed to creating a culture of safety, injuries and accidents can still happen, he said.

“I appreciate and thank each member utility employee who is committed to safety and who completed 2023 with no accidents or injuries—whether or not your city or town received an award.”

For more information about the ElectriCities Municipal Electric Safety Awards, contact Mark Todd. And visit the ElectriCities website to learn about upcoming ElectriCities safety training classes.

Spotlight on ElectriCities Safety Instructor Ross Whitehurst

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.

We’d like you to meet each of our instructors.

So far, we’ve introduced you to:

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!

He’ll be teaching Advanced Underground School (ELT 212), May 13-17, in Maiden, North Carolina. He’s also scheduled to teach Advanced Lineworker School (ELT 116), Oct. 21-25, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and Substation Maintenance (ELT 221), Nov. 18-22, in Greenville, North Carolina.

View the full training schedule here. If you have questions about classes or registration, contact Susanne Taylor, Member Training and Engagement Specialist at ElectriCities.

9 ElectriCities Members Earn National Award for Outstanding Safety Practices

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.

Visit the Awards and Accolades page on the ElectriCities website for a list of awards ElectriCities member utilities have won during the past few years.

10 ElectriCities Members Earn RP3 Designation

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.”

A full list of the ElectriCities member utilities with RP3 designation is available on the Awards and Accolades page on the ElectriCities website. A national list of designees is available at www.PublicPower.org.

APPA Recognizes 25 ElectriCities Members for Exceptional Reliability in 2023

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.

See the national list of 2023 Certificate of Excellence in Reliability recipients at www.PublicPower.org. For a list of awards ElectriCities member utilities have won, visit the Awards and Accolades page on the ElectriCities website.