Public Power Week is October 4 – 10, 2020
More than 70 communities across our state benefit from public power. These municipal-owned utilities are a tremendous local value, providing safe, reliable electric service and outstanding customer service to more than 1.2 million North Carolinians. “As hometown utilities, public power communities always have the best interest of their local residents at heart,” says Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities, a nonprofit organization that works with public power communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. October 4 – 10 is national Public Power Week, a time to pause and celebrate public power communities, especially as they persevere through the effects of the pandemic facing our country.
Public power has a rich tradition in North Carolina that dates back to 1889, when the City of Statesville first began using electric lights instead of gas streetlamps to illuminate its downtown. Today, North Carolina ranks among the top 10 providers of public power in the nation.
This year’s Public Power Week theme — The Power of Community, Neighbors Serving Neighbors — reflects public power’s commitment to meet the needs of the local communities it serves, no matter what the times bring. Celebrations may look different this year, but the hometown advantage of living in a public power community remains strong and vibrant.
Learn more about the benefits of public power at www.electricities.com/benefits/.