Archives: Press Releases

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 1, 2026) — From Oct. 4 to 10, ElectriCities joins its more than 90 member communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia in celebrating Public Power Week.

The annual observance during the first full week of October recognizes the value of municipally owned electric systems, also known as public power utilities, and the people dedicated to keeping them running. Public Power Week provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the unique benefits these utilities provide their customers and communities—advantages like being locally owned and operated, unbeaten reliability, and a focus on people, not profit.

Like public schools and libraries, public power utilities are led by local officials and accountable to the people they serve. That local leadership gives communities a direct voice in decisions about their electric service.

“With public power, electric utility decisions are made locally, with the community’s input and collective priorities in mind,” said Paul Hauser, ElectriCities Chief Operating Officer. ElectriCities provides power supply and related critical services to its member communities.

“Public power customers can rest assured that their local neighbors are the lineworkers, engineers, customer service representatives, and other specialists keeping their utility running. When neighbors are serving neighbors, there is a genuine commitment to keeping the community safely powered,” Hauser said.

ElectriCities member communities are among more than 2,000 public power providers across the country, illuminating the homes and businesses of nearly 55 million customers. And 1.6 million of those public power customers live in North Carolina, benefiting from a reliability rating of 99.99%, higher than that of other power providers in the state.

When disaster strikes and the power goes out, public power communities are part of a mutual aid network that stands ready to send resources and responders where needed to get the power flowing again. Mutual aid networks span the state, region, and country, providing invaluable support during hurricanes, ice storms, and other natural disasters while maintaining superior reliability and safety records.

“During Public Power Week and throughout the year, ElectriCities proudly highlights what sets public power providers apart: local decision-making, unmatched reliability, and a commitment to community well-being,” Hauser said.

RALEIGH, N.C. (SEPTEMBER 28, 2026) — ElectriCities of North Carolina announced today that it has named Tara Young Chief Legal Officer. Young has more than 22 years of legal experience, including 11 as an in-house attorney within the energy industry. Most recently, Young served as General Counsel at Spearmint Energy, a utility-scale battery storage company.

“Tara brings a deep understanding of the energy industry, the regulatory and compliance landscape, and the complex legal issues impacting utilities,” said Roy Jones, ElectriCities’ Chief Executive Officer. “Her legal expertise, strategic perspective, and commitment to service will be invaluable as ElectriCities continues to support our members and strengthen the public power communities they serve.”

As Chief Legal Officer, Young will be responsible for all legal matters, including advising the organization’s internal staff, ElectriCities’ Board of Directors, and the Board of Commissioners for North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 (NCMPA1) and North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) on legal, regulatory, and legislative matters. Young will also provide counsel on corporate legal strategy and provide oversight and legal perspective on all compliance matters.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team at ElectriCities to support its important work on behalf of public power communities and the people they serve,” said Young. “ElectriCities plays a vital role in helping community-owned utilities navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape, and I look forward to contributing my experience to advance its mission, support its members, and help strengthen the communities that rely on public power every day.”

Young earned her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Energy from the University of Oklahoma.

RALEIGH, N.C. — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., presented 19 public power communities with Public Power Awards of Excellence at the 2026 ElectriCities Annual Conference in Hot Springs, Virginia. Public power providers are electric utilities that are owned and operated by local governments. Like public schools and libraries, they are run by boards of local officials who are accountable to the people they serve.

Public Power Awards of Excellence reflect public power’s five Strategic Priorities, recognizing local providers for developing a future-focused mindset, strengthening public power, providing superior power, delivering customer-centered innovation, and prioritizing their people as their greatest asset.

“These award winners reflect the deep commitment public power utilities bring to the communities they serve,” said ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones. “With their customers and communities at the heart of everything they do, these utilities make the decisions and investments needed to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to their neighbors. We are honored to celebrate their dedication and the impact they make in their hometowns—today and well into the future.”

The FUTURE-FOCUSED AWARD recognizes communities with a future-focused mindset. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Apex
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Monroe
• New River Light & Power
• Statesville
• Western Carolina University

The STRENGTHEN PUBLIC POWER AWARD celebrates communities that build public and political support for public power. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Greer Commission of Public Works
• Kinston
• Maiden
• Monroe
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Tarboro
• Wake Forest
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The PROVIDE SUPERIOR POWER AWARD highlights communities that deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. This year’s winners are:

• Apex
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• High Point
• Monroe
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Tarboro
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The CUSTOMER-CENTERED INNOVATION AWARD recognizes public power providers that innovate and invest to better serve their customers and communities. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Clayton
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The PEOPLE AWARD distinguishes cities and towns that leverage their people as their greatest asset. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Apex
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Monroe
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Wake Forest
• Wilson

“While these award winners vary in community size, geography, and needs, they are united by a shared commitment to providing locally owned, reliable power and investing in their communities’ future,” Jones said. “Their work reflects the dedication, innovation, and community spirit behind public power, and we’re proud to celebrate them.”

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 20, 2026) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., announced today that the North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 (NCMPA1) extended its power supply contracts through 2043, preserving reliable, affordable power supply for the 19 public power communities and customers that make up NCMPA1.

Extension of the two contracts—the Project Power Sales Agreement and the Supplemental Power Sales Agreement—was subject to approval by all 19 NCMPA1 public power city and town councils. The extensions mean customers in NCMPA1 communities will continue to benefit from electric power that’s more reliable than other power providers in the state and less expensive than nearby competitors.

“At a time when energy reliability and affordability are daily news headlines, these extensions bring positive news for public power customers,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities. “Now more than ever, the 19 public power communities that make up NCMPA1 are well positioned to meet customer and community needs that lie ahead.”

NCMPA1 is made up of 19 public power communities—cities and towns that own and operate their local electric utility—in piedmont and western North Carolina. NCMPA1 provides wholesale power to those communities. A division of local government, public power utilities are owned by the community and run by boards of local officials who are accountable to the citizens.

With all 19 city and town councils voting to approve the contracts, both agreements are now in alignment with the current license expiration for Catawba Nuclear Station of 2043. Catawba Nuclear Station, the generating asset at the heart of the Project Power Sales Agreement, provides NCMPA1 communities with a power supply that is more than 93% nuclear energy, a carbon emissions-free generation source. As a majority owner of the Catawba Nuclear Station, NCMPA1 has benefitted from the asset since the 1980s.

About NCMPA1

NCMPA1 is made up of 19 participating cities and towns in piedmont and western North Carolina and provides wholesale power to those participants. The 19 NCMPA1 participants are Albemarle, Bostic, Cherryville, Cornelius, Drexel, Gastonia, Granite Falls, High Point, Huntersville, Landis, Lexington, Lincolnton, Maiden, Monroe, Morganton, Newton, Pineville, Shelby, and Statesville.

RALEIGH, N.C. (APRIL 27, 2026) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., announced today that it has named Paul Hauser Chief Operating Officer.

Hauser has more than 34 years of experience serving public power communities nationwide, including eight early-career years serving the North Carolina public power communities of Washington, New Bern, and Ayden, as well as serving as electric systems manager for ElectriCities. Most recently, he served as General Manager for Trinity Public Utilities District in Weaverville, CA for 15 years. Following his prior time in North Carolina, Hauser served as the Electric Director for the City of Kirkwood in Kirkwood, MO. In 2008, he joined the City of Redding in Redding, CA as the Assistant Electric Director-Distribution and was later promoted to Electric Utility Director.

“Paul’s deep power supply expertise and background in public power will be a significant asset to our members as we look toward the future,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities. “His strong track record of improving reliability, maintaining affordability, and upholding high safety standards is well aligned with ElectriCities’ and public power’s values. We look forward to Paul joining the organization and welcoming him back home to his native North Carolina.”

As Chief Operating Officer, Hauser will be responsible for all operations matters, including advising the organization’s internal staff, ElectriCities’ Board of Directors, and the North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 and North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Boards of Commissioners on power supply and planning, wholesale rate setting, transmission and delivery point planning, and distribution operations matters.

“I’m honored and excited to continue my career in public power at ElectriCities in my home state of North Carolina,” said Hauser. “The energy industry is at a pivotal moment, and ElectriCities—and its member communities across the Carolinas and Virginia—is well positioned to continue delivering on reliable and affordable power. I look forward to supporting public power communities and building on a strong foundation of success here in the region.”

Throughout his career, Hauser has served in several industry leadership capacities including two terms on the Board for the California Municipal Utilities Association, a Commissioner for the Balancing Authority of Northern California, and the Board of Directors for the Golden State Power Cooperative.

A North Carolina native, Hauser earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He is also a licensed professional engineer.

Paul will officially begin his role at ElectriCities in June.

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 8, 2026) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., joins its member communities and public power utilities nationwide in celebrating and honoring the dedication and service of public power lineworkers during the month of April.

Monday, April 13, is North Carolina Lineworker Appreciation Day, and Saturday, April 18, is National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Both days are designated to recognize and celebrate the professionals who maintain and strengthen the electric grid in local communities across the country.

“Working safely with high-voltage electricity takes specialized expertise and skill combined with unwavering commitment to industry standards and safety protocols,” said Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety & Training at ElectriCities, the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virgina. Collectively, those locally owned and operated utilities are known as public power.

Lineworkers within ElectriCities’ membership regularly participate in safety training and career development programs like ElectriCities’ Apprenticeship Program to enhance their skills and ensure that they are ready for the evolving energy needs of their communities.

“Public power lineworkers demonstrate a tireless dedication to keeping the power flowing in their cities and towns, putting their distinctive knowledge to use, ensuring the members of their communities can enjoy the modern, essential comforts of electricity,” said Batchelor.

In North Carolina, public power lineworkers keep the electricity on for nearly 1.6 million people in more than 70 public power cities and towns throughout the state. Across the nation, public power lineworkers support about 2,000 municipalities, serving more than 55 million people, according to the American Public Power Association (APPA).

Lineworkers’ dedication doesn’t end at the edges of their communities. When the need arises, public power lineworkers travel across the state and the country within a mutual aid network to help fellow public power lineworkers restore power after disasters and other emergencies.

“In emergency situations with power outages, lineworkers are hometown heroes who light the way for other first responders by restoring electricity as quickly and safely as possible,” said Nick Whitley, Mutual Aid Coordinator and Supervisor of Safety and Training at ElectriCities.

“Lineworkers often bring the first sign of recovery to an area hit by a devastating storm or other disaster,” said Whitley.

Thanks in large part to the dedication of public power lineworkers, public power customers enjoy more reliable electricity than customers of other power providers. According to APPA, public power customers experience the shortest average outage time—getting power back on an average of 90 minutes sooner outside of major events compared to customers of other utility types.

North Carolina public power customers enjoy even better reliability. The state’s public power lineworkers keep the power on 99.99% of the time. On average, North Carolina’s public power customers experience less than one outage a year that lasts less than one hour. When the power does go out, the outage lasts less than half the time on average of other power providers.

Throughout the month of April, public power customers can write thank you messages to their local lineworkers by visiting www.electricities.com/thankalineworker.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2025) — This year, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., celebrates 60 years of service to public power communities.

ElectriCities, the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to 99 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, was created by the North Carolina General Assembly’s Electric Act of 1965 to support public power communities in the region. Sixty years later, ElectriCities and public power providers continue their mission to better serve citizens through safe, reliable, and affordable electric power.

Public power providers—electric utilities—are a division of local government. Like public schools and libraries, they are owned by the community and run by boards of local officials who are accountable to their citizens. In North Carolina, 1.6 million people are served by public power.

“Through political changes, economic highs and lows, and significant evolution in the energy industry, ElectriCities has maintained its commitment to support the success of public power,” said ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones. “ElectriCities members are in the public power business because they know they can provide better, more reliable electric service to their customers—their neighbors,” said Jones. “Public power utilities don’t answer to shareholders or investors. They answer to their community.”

ElectriCities manages the power supply for North Carolina’s two power agencies: the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) and the North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number One (NCMPA1). NCEMPA consists of 32 cities and towns in eastern North Carolina while NCMPA1 is made up of 19 cities and towns in piedmont and western North Carolina. Cities and towns that are members of NCEMPA or NCMPA1 own and operate their electric systems and provide power to their local customers.

Significant milestones mark ElectriCities’ 60-year history, including more recent successes that have saved public power communities and customers hundreds of millions of dollars while supporting increased electric reliability.

In eastern North Carolina, the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency’s 2015 $1.25 billion sale of assets to Duke Energy resulted in an average wholesale rate reduction of 19%. This past July, the eastern Power Agency made its final debt service payment, marking a major milestone signifying those communities’ commitment to providing affordable, reliable power to their public power customers.

In western North Carolina, the North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1’s wholesale power costs have reduced by 45% over the past 10 years, and NCMPA1’s 19 member communities have received an additional $275 million back from the Power Agency over the last decade.

“Public power is known for its unbeaten reliability, affordable electric rates, community focus, and passionate employees,” said Jones. “ElectriCities is honored to carry on the proud tradition of supporting public power and the people who keep their communities powered.”

Recognized as an industry leader among its peers across the country, ElectriCities continues to expand member services and programs to better support public power communities, from economic development to technology upgrades to legislative advocacy. ElectriCities’ continued success serves as a testament to its leadership, employees, Board of Directors, and member communities.

RALEIGH, N.C. (September 29, 2025) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., joins its member communities and public power utilities nationwide in recognizing Public Power Week—Oct. 5-11, 2025—an annual opportunity to shine a light on the municipally owned electric systems that power the homes and businesses in more than 2,000 communities across the country.

Recognized during the first full week of October every year, Public Power Week celebrates the unique benefits public power utilities provide to their customers and communities—advantages like unbeaten reliability, local control, and a focus on people, not profit.

“Because public power utilities are not-for-profit and community-focused, they provide tremendous value to their customers by keeping resources in the community to support local needs,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities, the membership organization that provides services and support to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power.

“These strengths, combined with unbeaten reliability, are some of the many benefits public power delivers to communities,” Jones said.

Public power providers—electric utilities—are a division of local government. Like public schools and libraries, they are owned by the community and run by boards of local officials who are accountable to their citizens.

“Local control is one of the hallmarks of public power that sets it apart from other utilities and enables public power utilities to quickly respond to community needs,” said Jones. “Public power lineworkers, customer service representatives, engineers, and other specialists often live in the communities they serve, and they take pride in keeping the lights on for their neighbors.”

In North Carolina, public power illuminates the homes and workplaces of nearly 1.6 million people, providing safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity with a reliability rating of 99.99%—more reliable than other power providers in the state. When the power does go out, public power lineworkers restore power 50% faster than other energy providers.

Public power communities are part of a mutual aid network that spans the state, region, and country, providing invaluable support during hurricanes, ice storms, and other natural disasters while maintaining superior reliability and safety records.

“As we mark Public Power Week, we acknowledge that delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable power is a constant, vital responsibility,” Jones said. “This week, and throughout the year, we celebrate these benefits that provide a better quality of life for everyone in our public power communities.”

RALEIGH, N.C. (August 26, 2025) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., presented 23 communities with Public Power Awards of Excellence at the 2025 ElectriCities Annual Conference held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This represents a record number of communities recognized for excellence.

Public Power Awards of Excellence reflect public power’s five strategic priorities, driving success for public power in the Carolinas and Virginia. The awards recognize public power providers for developing a future-focused mindset, strengthening public power, providing superior power, delivering customer-centered innovation, and prioritizing their people as their greatest asset.

“These 23 communities are shining examples of excellence in public power,” said ElectriCities Chief Operating Officer Kathy Moyer. “Their dedication to keeping their customers and communities powered is evident through their hard work and commitment to delivering reliable electricity.”

The FUTURE-FOCUSED AWARD recognizes communities with a future-focused mindset. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Apex
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Tarboro
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The STRENGTHEN PUBLIC POWER AWARD celebrates communities that build public and political support for public power. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Apex
• Fayetteville PWC
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Lexington
• Monroe
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Southport
• Statesville
• Tarboro
• Wake Forest
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The PROVIDE SUPERIOR POWER AWARD highlights communities that deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. This year’s winners are:

• Apex
• Fayetteville PWC
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Lexington
• Monroe
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Tarboro
• Wake Forest
• Washington
• Wilson

The CUSTOMER-CENTERED INNOVATION AWARD recognizes public power providers that innovate and invest to better serve their customers and communities. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Fayetteville PWC
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Kinston
• Lexington
• Maiden
• Morganton
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Tarboro
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

The PEOPLE AWARD distinguishes cities and towns that leverage their people as their greatest asset. This year’s winners are:

• Albemarle
• Apex
• Ayden
• Cornelius
• Fayetteville PWC
• Greenville Utilities Commission
• Huntersville
• Kinston
• Monroe
• New Bern
• New River Light & Power
• Pineville
• Rocky Mount
• Statesville
• Wake Forest
• Western Carolina University
• Wilson

This year’s award winners represent some of the state’s smallest and largest public power communities.

“All of us at ElectriCities are pleased to recognize these deserving award recipients,” said Moyer. “We commend them for a job well done in 2024 and we look forward to what these communities, and the professionals who power them, will accomplish in the years to come. The value they bring to their customers is immeasurable, as they continue to innovate and invest in ways that better serve their communities.”

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 10, 2025) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., celebrates and honors electric lineworkers all year, especially during Lineworker Appreciation Days in April.

Monday, April 14, is North Carolina Lineworker Appreciation Day, and Friday, April 18, is National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Both days are designated to uplift the professionals who keep the electricity on in our communities.

“We expect electricity to flow with the flip of a switch, but we would be left in the dark without the critical work electric lineworkers perform,” said ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones. ElectriCities is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power.

In North Carolina, public power lineworkers keep the power flowing for nearly 1.3 million people in more than 70 public power cities and towns throughout the state. Across the nation, public power lineworkers support about 2,000 municipalities, serving one out of every seven Americans.

“Often living in the communities they serve, lineworkers dedicate their skills and hard work to ensuring that we can all enjoy the comforts of modern life—from life-saving heating and air conditioning to a child’s nightlight shining in the dark,” said Jones.

Lineworkers’ dedication doesn’t end at the edges of their communities. When the need arises, public power lineworkers travel across the state and the country within a mutual aid network to help fellow public power lineworkers restore power after disasters and other emergencies.

“Take Hurricane Helene for example,” said Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety & Training at ElectriCities. “When that historic storm struck, public power lineworkers across the ElectriCities membership traveled to hard-hit areas to help local lineworkers get the power back on.”

These first responders light the way for other first responders. They bring the initial sign of recovery to an area hit by disaster.

Lineworkers do all this with an unwavering commitment to safety protocols. Lineworkers in ElectriCities member cities and towns regularly participate in safety training and career development programs like ElectriCities’ Apprenticeship Program.

Thanks in part to the dedication of public power lineworkers, public power customers enjoy more reliable electricity than customers of other types of utilities. On average, public power utilities resolve outages 52% quicker than other utilities, according to the latest report from the American Public Power Association. They’re 41% quicker on average than other utilities following a major event like a hurricane.

North Carolina public power customers enjoy even better reliability, with outages lasting only a third as long as customers of other providers. The state’s public power lineworkers keep the power on 99.99% of the time. That means, on average, North Carolina’s public power customers experience less than one outage a year that lasts less than one hour.

“It’s clear that lineworkers help power our lives,” said Jones. “I’m proud to celebrate the contributions of these hometown heroes today and every day.”