RALEIGH, N.C. — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., 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—joins its member communities and the more than 2,000 public power communities across the country in recognizing Public Power Week, Oct. 6-12, 2024.
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.
“The true measure of public power’s strength is in the value it brings to its customers,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities. “Public power providers are vital community pillars, delivering exceptional service, innovative energy solutions, and an unwavering commitment to local needs. Customers in public power communities experience a better quality of life because of these locally owned and operated power providers.”
Public power cities and towns in North Carolina provide safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity with a reliability rating of 99.98%—more reliable than other power providers. In fact, public power customers in North Carolina experience 40% fewer outages than other power providers’ customers. When the power does go out, public power lineworkers restore power faster than other providers.
“Public power lineworkers, customer service representatives, engineers, and other specialists are local municipal employees and take pride in keeping the lights on for their neighbors,” Jones said. “Whether they’re restoring power following a hurricane or ice storm or they’re answering customers’ billing and energy efficiency questions, public power employees are able to respond quickly.”
Public power communities are part of a mutual aid network that spans the state and country, providing invaluable support during hurricanes, ice storms, and other natural disasters while maintaining a superior safety record.
That mutual aid network was most recently put into action in the wake of Hurricane Helene, where western North Carolina saw devastating flooding that led to widespread power outages. Public power communities from across the state answered the mutual aid call, providing crews and equipment to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
As restoration efforts continue, public power lineworkers are working around the clock, lending a hand to neighbors in need. “As we celebrate all that public power is and does this Public Power Week, we recognize that providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power is a 24/7 job,” Jones said. “This essential public service helps communities across our state and country grow and flourish. And while we focus on the benefits of public power especially this week, we know that every day is a great day to celebrate public power.”
About ElectriCities of North Carolina
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., 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. ElectriCities manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical services to assist members in operating their electric distribution systems. ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.
Visit www.electricities.com to learn more about the benefits of public power and how ElectriCities helps communities keep the lights on through access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
Media contact
Elizabeth Kadick
Vice President, Communications, ElectriCities
919-760-6285
ekadick@electricities.org