2015 NC Public Power Awards of Excellence Announced

Twenty public power communities across the state recently received 2015 Public Power Awards of Excellence. The awards honor outstanding efforts in key areas such as creating a competitive business environment, legislative involvement on public power issues, customer service programs and community energy efficiency promotion. Awards presentations will be made to the local communities this fall.

“We are proud to honor NC Public Power communities through the Awards of Excellence process,” said Graham Edwards, CEO of ElectriCities of North Carolina. “Each day, public power communities strive to bring jobs and investment to their communities, provide superior service to customers and offer highly-reliable electric service. These hard-working employees and leaders are dedicated to the tradition of public power and the 1.2 million citizens we serve in North Carolina.”

Competitive Business Environment
The Competitive Business Environment award recognizes efforts by the city to create a strong business climate, including economic development planning and community/regional partnering, an online economic development presence and focus on key accounts customers.
Farmville, Fayetteville PWC, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Tarboro and Wilson.

Energy Efficiency
The Energy Efficiency award recognizes efforts with energy-efficient building programs, energy education, energy audits and weatherization programs.
Concord, Fayetteville PWC, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Maiden, Newton, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Smithfield, Statesville, Tarboro and Wilson.

Financial Stability
The Financial Stability award recognizes customer options throughout the billing process, including: equal payment programs, alternate payment methods such as online billing and payment, credit card payments and multiple payment locations. This award also recognizes community partnerships to help customers in need and the implementation of new technology within the electric system.
Clayton, Concord, Farmville, Fayetteville PWC, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Maiden, New Bern, Newton, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Smithfield, Tarboro and Wilson.

Legislative Involvement
The Legislative Involvement award recognizes city staff and officials’ involvement in the legislative process on issues pertaining to public power. The award recognizes city officials actively engaging with their legislative delegation, participation in ElectriCities-sponsored events and involvement in the Public Power Grassroots Network.
Fayetteville PWC, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities, High Point, Kings Mountain, Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Wilson.

Service Excellence
The Service Excellence award recognizes outstanding efforts by the city to communicate with customers through advertisements, online resources, social media or other community-based methods. The award also addresses emergency communications and community public power celebrations.
Benson, Concord, Farmville, Fayetteville PWC, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Smithfield, Tarboro and Wilson.