ElectriCities Highlights Local Ownership, Reliability This Public Power Week

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.