RALEIGH, N.C. (September 28, 2022) — ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides support and services to public power communities in North Carolina and beyond, joins more than 70 public power communities in North Carolina and more than 2,000 across the country in celebrating Public Power Week, Oct. 2-8, 2022.
Public power communities are cities and towns that own and operate their electric systems. Public Power Week is an annual opportunity to shine a light on the value those municipally owned utilities provide their customers and their communities.
“Public power is a crucial component in cities and towns across North Carolina,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities. “Public power providers drive overall community health by delivering unmatched electric reliability, affordable and sustainable power, excellent local service, and essential jobs in these communities.”
Unmatched reliability
Public power is known for providing its customers with exceptional reliability. In fact, North Carolina public power providers deliver safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity with a reliability rating of 99.98%—more reliable than other power providers in the state.
North Carolina’s public power customers experience 40% fewer outages than other power providers’ customers. And when the power does go out, public power lineworkers restore power faster than other providers do.
The American Public Power Association (APPA), a national trade association, has recognized 26 public power communities in North Carolina as Reliable Public Power Providers for providing outstanding reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement—more utilities than in any other state.
Locally powered for local good
Because public power providers are locally owned, locally operated, and locally controlled, they answer to their local customers—not to shareholders, and they make decisions based on what’s best for their customers and their communities. Public power utilities also provide essential jobs that support their local economy.
In public power communities, the utility’s employees—the lineworkers, customer service representatives, engineers, and other specialists—are local municipal employees. As members of the community, they are dedicated to keeping the lights on for their neighbors.
Since public power providers are not-for-profit, any funds generated by residents paying their power bills go back into the community.
“The strength of public power is the value it provides its customers and communities,” said Jones. “Public power providers are essential community assets and dependable institutions that provide excellent service, valuable energy solutions, and a commitment to community.”
Strong support system
North Carolina public power communities are part of a mutual aid network that spans the state and country, providing invaluable support during hurricanes and other natural disasters while maintaining a superior safety record.
“That network of public power communities provides a broad support system,” Jones said. “It enables public power providers to share knowledge and access resources that help leverage growth opportunities, locate needed equipment, and ensure the superior service public power is known for. It also provides a unified voice on state and federal issues affecting public power.”
Rich history and bright future in North Carolina
Many of North Carolina’s public power cities and towns have been providing electricity to their communities for more than 100 years. Along the way, they’ve adapted to changes in technology, how power is generated, the demand for electricity, and more to keep public power communities strong.
Jones said technological advances, the demand for clean energy, and evolving customer expectations continue to drive change in the energy industry—and will for years to come.
“Being community-owned puts public power providers in a good position to take advantage of the opportunities for innovation that come with industry growth and evolution,” he said. “They get to decide how to invest in and power their future based on what’s best for their communities and their customers.”
“The future is bright for these public power providers and their customers who benefit every day from a better quality of life,” Jones said. “For all the value it provides, I’m thrilled to celebrate public power during Public Power Week and every day of the year.”
Learn more about the value of public power at www.electricities.com/benefits.
Media contact
Elizabeth Kadick
Manager, Communications, ElectriCities
(919) 760-6285
ekadick@electricities.org
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