This Oct. 4-10, Waynesville joins more than 2,000 public power communities nationwide in celebrating Public Power Week—a week dedicated to spotlighting the value that locally owned and operated electric systems deliver to their public power customers.
Recognized during the first full week of October every year, Public Power Week celebrates the unique community benefits of public power utilities like Waynesville—advantages like unbeaten reliability, local control, and a focus on people, not profit.
More than 1.6 million people in North Carolina are served by public power. In North Carolina, public power utilities provide safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity with a reliability rating of 99.99%—more reliable than other power providers. When the power does go out, public power lineworkers restore power faster than other providers.
“Public power utilities, like the Town of Waynesville, are community owned, not for profit entities that prioritize local needs, reliability, exceptional service, and affordability. ,” said Interim Town Manager, Rick Howell. “Town ownership also provides a return on investment for Town taxpayers as well as other intangible benefits such as tree trimming, the hanging of banners and holiday decorations and much more by a dedicated local electric line crew.”
Public power providers like Waynesville are locally controlled by local officials who answer to their community, like public schools or libraries. And while public power utilities are not-for-profit, if revenues do exceed expenses, those resources stay in the community, benefiting local residents.
The Town of Waynesville has been providing public power since the 1920s, so we are celebrating over 100 years of service!
“Compared to customers of other utilities, on average, public power customers have lower electricity costs and they enjoy better reliability,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities, a membership organization that provides services and support to public power communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. “During Public Power Week and throughout the year, we celebrate these benefits and the many benefits public power provides customers and communities.”
Please click here to view the Public Power Week Proclamation for 2026.