Local governments operate public power utilities to provide reliable, responsive electric service to residents and businesses. These utilities are directly accountable to the people they serve through local governing boards.
Operated on a not-for-profit basis, municipally owned electric systems offer distinct benefits to their owner-customers, including:
- Competitive rates
- Increased reliability
- Efficient service – lowest cost consistent with reliability, community goals and sound business practices
- Responsiveness to customer concerns – every citizen is an owner with a direct say in policies
- Emphasis on long-term community goals
- Quick response from crews located in the community
- Not-for-profit status – lower costs and no split allegiance between customers and stockholders
- Greater portion of revenues stay in community
- Local employment
- Economic development – not-for-profit electricity attracts and keeps businesses
- Focus on sustainability/environmental stewardship
- Access to tax-exempt financing for capital projects
- Opportunity for efficiency through integrated utility operations (e.g., operation with electric, water, sewer, garbage, gas)
- Improved local government efficiency through sharing of personnel, equipment and supplies
- Local management and operations bring added community leadership for innovation and development
- Recognized commitment to conservation, safety and the environment
- Local control over special programs (energy conservation, etc.)
- Local control over the electric distribution system aesthetics and design
- Local control that allows matching resources to local needs
- Primary mission of providing least-cost, reliable service over maximizing profit
- A competitive standard against which the service of all utilities may be measured
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