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.”
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