Public power utilities across the U.S. are planning a wide range of activities to celebrate this year’s Public Power Week, which is October 5-11. Those activities include, among other things, spotlighting the voices of customers on social media, holding cookouts and providing power plant tours.
Public power utilities across the U.S. celebrate Public Power Week during the first full week of October every year to help customers and stakeholders understand how they can better engage with their community-owned utility and benefit from all its offerings.
The theme for 2025 is "2,000 utilities. One purpose."
The following is a round up of activities planned by public power utilities across the U.S.
(Editor’s Note: this round up is not exhaustive. Don’t see your utility’s activities listed in this story? Send an email to: pciampoli@publicpower.org and we can update the story).
Heartland Energy
South Dakota-based Heartland Energy said it will mark the week with newspaper ads, letters to the editor and spotlighting the voices of customers on social media.
“To do so, we need your help. We want your voice to be part of the celebration!,” it said.
It is asking customers to record a short video (10-30 seconds) on their phone or device answering one simple question: What does public power mean to you?
City of Shelby, North Carolina
In an interview with Public Power Current, Chip Nuhrah, Public Information Officer, for the City of Shelby, N.C., detailed the Public Power Week activities the city is planning.
On Oct. 8, there will be an event at City Hall where Cale Wright, Utilities Services Specialist for the city, will set up a table “and he will promoting public power through Public Power Week,” Nuhrah noted.
Wright will have promotional items at the table, as well as offer energy efficiency kits. “That’s something we’ve tried to do the last couple of years,” Nuhrah said.
The reason Oct. 8 was chosen was because “it’s a big day here at City Hall. There’ll be a lot of customers that come through,” he noted.
In addition, 66 city employees that day will be wearing Public Power Week t-shirts and golf shirts provided by ElectriCities of North Carolina.
The city is utilizing social media channels and its website to get the word out to customers about the Oct. 8 activities, Nuhrah noted.
He said that the city manager three years ago wanted to actively promote the message of public power. In 2021, “the year before we started doing that, a poll taken of our customers said that there were only 42 percent that knew we were a public power provider.”
Results from a poll in 2025 showed that 71 percent of customers that took the survey knew that the City of Shelby was a public power provider.
“We really have been pushing that message. We also put the public power provider logo on” city vehicles, bucket trucks and pickup trucks -- “anything that has to do with the electric department that emblem is on there.”
Also, the city created a special page on its website detailing the value of public power, as well as posted videos on YouTube “that promote the message of public power and Public Power Week.”
Wake Forest Power (North Carolina)
As part of the annual week-long celebration, the Town of Wake Forest, N.C., and Wake Forest Power will offer a variety of free events and activities.
Through Oct. 9, at 4 p.m., Wake Forest Power residential customers can enter to win free electricity in October in one of two ways:
- Participate in the Public Power Week Trivia Contest. All the answers to the trivia questions can be found on the Town of Wake Forest website. Every customer that answers all 10 questions correctly will be entered into a drawing for free electricity.
- Donate a minimum of four non-perishable items for the Mini Pantry at H.O.P.E. House at the utility's Customer Service counter in the lobby of Town Hall.
Three winners (two from the Trivia Contest submissions and one from those that donate non-perishable items) will be announced on the Wake Forest Power Facebook page.
Savings for Seniors Bingo
Wake Forest-area seniors are invited to enjoy a special morning of bingo on Oct. 7 at the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging.
Highlighting a variety of energy-savings ideas, “Savings for Seniors Bingo” will offer participants the chance to have fun and win prizes donated by local merchants.
Customer Appreciation
Public Power Week is also Customer Appreciation Week. "As our way of saying 'thank you' to our valued customers, Town staff will serve popcorn each day in the lobby of Town Hall and give away a variety of Public Power Week promotional items. Staff will also be available to share information and answer questions about WFP’s array of customer programs and services."
A division of the Town of Wake Forest, WFP supplies electricity to over 9,000 residential and commercial customers.
ElectriCities of North Carolina
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc. “joins its member communities and public power utilities nationwide in recognizing Public Power Week—Oct. 5-11, 2025—an annual opportunity to shine a light on the municipally owned electric systems that power the homes and businesses in more than 2,000 communities across the country,” it said on Oct. 1.
ElectriCities on its website has a webpage that offers a number of resources related to Public Power Week.
“Because public power utilities are not-for-profit and community-focused, they provide tremendous value to their customers by keeping resources in the community to support local needs,” said Roy Jones, CEO of ElectriCities, the membership organization that provides services and support to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power.
“These strengths, combined with unbeaten reliability, are some of the many benefits public power delivers to communities,” Jones said.
“Local control is one of the hallmarks of public power that sets it apart from other utilities and enables public power utilities to quickly respond to community needs,” said Jones. “Public power lineworkers, customer service representatives, engineers, and other specialists often live in the communities they serve, and they take pride in keeping the lights on for their neighbors.”
In North Carolina, public power illuminates the homes and workplaces of nearly 1.6 million people, providing safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity with a reliability rating of 99.99%—more reliable than other power providers in the state. When the power does go out, public power lineworkers restore power 50% faster than other energy providers, it noted.
Public power communities are part of a mutual aid network that spans the state, region, and country, providing invaluable support during hurricanes, ice storms, and other natural disasters while maintaining superior reliability and safety records.
"As we mark Public Power Week, we acknowledge that delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable power is a constant, vital responsibility," Jones said. “This week, and throughout the year, we celebrate these benefits that provide a better quality of life for everyone in our public power communities.”
Rolla Municipal Utilities
Missouri public power utility Rolla Municipal Utilities is celebrating Public Power Week with a cookout on Oct 8. RMU will offer door prizes on a first-come, first-serve basis.
RMU will also be offering its residential electric customers the chance to win credit on their utility bill. For the tenth year, three lucky residential customers will win a credit on their electric utility bill by participating in RMU’s 2025 Public Power Week Word Search Contest.
Brownsville Public Utilities Board
Texas public power utility Brownsville Public Utilities Board will hold its Big Public Utilities Bash on Oct. 10.
This free event is a celebration of Public Power Month, where BPUB extends Public Power Week into a month-long celebration highlighting the advantages of municipally owned utilities.
Children will get the chance to explore and learn about some of the trucks and equipment BPUB crews use every day. In addition to the truck displays, there will be informational booths manned by BPUB employees.
The event will be open to the public. In addition, there will be free food and giveaways (while supplies last) as well as vendors, community partners, and a raffle for adults with useful items for the home.
This event will feature many activities for the whole family, including a children’s solar car race, touch-a-truck activities, bucket truck ride raffle, a superhero costume contest, various vendors, and more.
“We’re thrilled to welcome our Brownsville community to the Big Public Utilities Bash!” said Marilyn Gilbert, BPUB General Manager and CEO. “This event is all about celebrating the people we serve—and the honor of doing so through dedication, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. It’s a chance for families to connect with BPUB in a fun, hands-on way and learn more about the resources that help keep our city running. We’re proud to open our doors and share the excitement with everyone!”
Owensboro Municipal Utilities
Kentucky’s Owensboro Municipal Utilities is celebrating more than Public Power Month this October — it is also marking 125 years of serving our community.
While October is Public Power Month, OMU is also celebrating the water and internet services that help power homes and businesses throughout Owensboro.
Starting October 1, OMU will give away five $125 gift certificates to our customers. Winners will be announced each Wednesday of the month — October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
On each Wednesday in October, customers who visit the OMU Customer Service Center can receive a free LED light bulb.
OMU’s Volunteer Team will once again serve a Customer Appreciation Lunch on October 9.
GEUS
Another Texas public power utility – GEUS – on October 10 will host a “Touch-A-Truck” event in celebration of Public Power.
The event will include trucks and employees to interact with, an electric demonstration table, sidewalk chalk, cookies and punch and giveaways.
Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power
Indiana public power utility Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power is offering customers the opportunity to celebrate Public Power Week “by giving the ultimate gift—blood,” it said in a Facebook post.
Every donor will receive an exclusive Big Ten university-specific Homefield Vintage T-Shirt as a thank you.
Imperial Irrigation District
California public power utility Imperial Irrigation District said it will celebrate Public Power Week by “highlighting opportunities for customers and stakeholders to engage with their community-owned utility and learn about the District’s many customer-focused programs and services.”
The public power celebration will continue all month, it said.
For the second year in a row, IID is offering power customers the incentive to receive double-value rebates through its popular Energy Rewards Program.
IID will double the rebate value it pays customers (limited to available funds) who apply for the Energy Reward Program from October 1 through October 31. Rebates can be issued for qualified appliances, AC systems, thermostats, variable-speed pool pumps, and much more, for purchases made in 2025.
“Public Power Week is our opportunity to engage with our valued customers, sharing information on our many beneficial programs that support families and our communities,” said Matt Smelser, Power Department Manager. “We also take this time to offer the double-rebate incentive, encouraging customers to take advantage of the opportunities to reduce energy demand, benefitting both them and the environment.”
IID is inviting the public to visit various District locations during Public Power Week to learn about its programs, engage with staff, and enjoy snacks.
Kerrville Public Utility Board
Texas public power utility Kerrville Public Utility Board on October 11 will be holding its 5th Annual KPUB Bucket Truck Ride Event.
This free community event will feature family-friendly activities that will include taking a ride in one of KPUB’s bucket trucks, line worker tool displays, photo ops with our linemen, face painting and more.
“Also, don’t miss our monster-themed energy education station for the kiddos! Each child that attends our short presentation at the energy education station will receive a free activity book,” the utility said.
KPUB will be providing free hot dogs, chips, snow cones, refreshments and t-shirts, while supplies last.
Belmont Municipal Light Department
In Massachusetts, Belmont Municipal Light Department will hold an Open House on Oct. 8 “to share how local, public power utilities like Belmont Light work to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to your home. This free event is perfect for families with young children and anyone looking to learn more about the power that keeps their lights on,” it noted.
Event Highlights include:
• Touch-a-Truck
• Dress as a Line Worker
• Safety Demonstrations
• Kids Activities
Holland Board of Public Works
In Michigan, the Holland Board of Public Works on Oct. 9 will hold a free open house event at the Holland Energy Park to celebrate Public Power Week. This family-friendly event will feature:
• Energy-themed yard games
• Scavenger Hunt
• Cider and Donuts
• Coloring Contest
“Visitors are also invited to take a walk on the trail to collect candy and goodies and learn how to avoid phantom power! Don't be an energy vampire - costumes are encouraged for children and adults alike!,” the utility said.
Lansing Board of Water and Light
Another public power utility in Michigan, Lansing Board of Water and Light, on Oct. 10 will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how BWL delivers safe, reliable and affordable energy to the greater Lansing area.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the utility’s REO Cogeneration Plant, BWL's first natural gas-fired power plant. Operational since 2013, the plant generates up to 300,000 pounds of steam per hour and 100 megawatts of electricity.
Before or after the tour, utility staff will be on hand to share more about BWL, its history, energy projects and public power.
Grand Haven Board of Light and Power
Michigan public power utility Grand Haven Board of Light and Power is inviting the community to celebrate Public Power Week at a special Open House on October 9.
Giveaways will be provided, and drawings will be held to win free wi-fi thermostats, along with snacks and refreshments.
The utility is offering the following activities at the event:
• Touch-a-Truck Experience – Climb aboard and explore a bucket truck and digger derrick up close
• Power Town Display – Learn about electrical safety from utility field crews
• “Ask the BLP” Booth – Get your questions answered and sign up for SmartHub & Text Alerts
• Guided Building Tours – Behind the scenes look at our office, electrical shop, and facilities
• Customer Appreciation Table – Stop by for giveaways and our heartfelt thanks to the community
• Photo Station – Snap a pic with BLP props and hard hats to remember the day!
“It’s important to give the community an opportunity to come meet our team at the BLP and see our operations,” said Rob Shelley, BLP general manager. “This provides the public a chance to meet our electrical utility workers and gain a deeper understanding of the work our team does every day to ensure our community’s power remains reliable, affordable, and sustainable.”
BLP chair Mike Westbrook emphasized the value of local, public power: “We have a lot to be thankful for having a locally owned and controlled municipal electric utility that has been serving our community for 129 years. Our rates are much lower than our neighbors who get their power from a for-profit utility, our reliability is much higher than state and national averages, and we are an integral part of the communities we serve. This is a great occasion for the BLP to open the doors to the public so we can celebrate the value of public power together.”
Customers will also have an opportunity to provide questions and feedback to the Board as they begin their strategic planning update which will begin in 2026.
Pasadena Water and Power
California public power utility Pasadena Water and Power activities for Public Power Week include Storytime and Touch-a-Truck with a Lineman, and Electric Circuit Activity.
Emerald PUD
To celebrate public power and show its appreciation to our customers and community, Oregon public power utility Emerald PUD will be giving away free coffee drinks at popular coffee vendors throughout the district during Public Power Week.
The first 50 guests at each location will receive a free drink of their choice.
Loup Power District
Nebraska’s Loup Power District is offering its community the opportunity during Public Power Week to learn more about Loup and how Nebraska is the only state served completely by public power utilities and get information about energy efficiency incentives.
It will also offer a free gift (while supplies last), cookies and refreshments and a copy of a cookbook.
KEYS Energy Services
“Public Power Week honors KEYS hometown service, resulting in reliable electricity for our community,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO.
KEYS is a Florida public power utility.
“We all take the availability of electricity for granted,” Tejeda said. “It’s an absolute necessity day in and day out. Having a community-owned electric utility providing our power allows us to make decisions locally on how we want to use our resources for the betterment of the community.”
In honor of Public Power Week, KEYS’ employees will dedicate volunteer hours to two local nonprofit organizations through its Days of Giving program.
This initiative partners employees with local nonprofit organizations needing assistance with special projects and events, and fosters a spirit of community engagement.
KEYS’ employees will dedicate volunteer hours to the Star of the Sea Foundation’s Callahan Community Kitchen and the MARC House Plant Store’s Annual Pumpkin Patch throughout the week.
To further help the community KEYS will host a blood drive at its Service Building in Key West on Tuesday, October 7.
KEYS is encouraging its customers to join in the celebration of public power by supporting local events and engaging with community initiatives.
"Public Power Week is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate not only the services we provide but also the community we serve," said Tejeda.
Traverse City Light and Power
“This year, we are focusing on how Traverse City Light and Power (TCLP) is building for the future to ensure reliable, affordable, sustainable, and customer-focused service to our community for many years to come,” said Executive Director Brandie Ekren. “That means we're working hand-in-hand with customers and community leaders to make sure our utility reflects the long-term goals and needs of members of our community.”
"Since we operate right here in Traverse City and serve our friends and neighbors, we care a great deal about things like customer service, helping folks save energy and money, providing reliable service, and keeping the community safe,” said Jacob Hardy, Sustainability and Key Accounts Manager. “We are proud of the work we do in these areas.”
The Michigan public power utility is asking customers to follow it on social media "as we celebrate the week and tell us what local ownership means to you."
Roseville, California
This Public Power Week, the public power community of Roseville, Calif., is inviting customers to stop by the Utility Exploration Center to celebrate with us.
Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy giveaways and games while learning more about public power.
Florida Municipal Electric Association
In honor of Public Power Week (Oct. 5 – 11, 2025), the Florida Municipal Electric Association is highlighting the benefits public power utilities provide their communities and their residents.
“Not-for-profit public power utilities are an American tradition that works. They are locally owned, locally controlled and locally operated. Residents in public power communities can depend on affordable and reliable power. They also have control of their energy future because they have a say in the decisions made about their local electric utility,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.
FMEA noted that Florida public power utilities are:
Affordable
Florida public power utilities’ average monthly bills are generally lower than the average bills of other utility providers. FMEA’s Electric Bill Comparison for August 2025 shows the average bills of public power utilities across Florida are among the lowest in the state, coming in at an average of $35.49 lower than the average bills of other utilities per 1,000 kWh.
Reliable
Florida public power utilities continually invest in new distribution, transmission and generation infrastructure, as well as technologies to improve reliability and resiliency. These investments are especially critical following major weather events. During 2024 when three hurricanes hit the state, Florida public power utilities were able to restore power to 95 percent of customers in less than 24 hours (Debby), 48 hours (Helene) and 72 hours (Milton).
Job Creators
Florida public power utilities create high quality, local jobs for local residents. Florida public power communities employ more than 5,800 Floridians across the state.
Community Investors
Florida’s public power utilities provide revenue to the community to help pay for critical public safety services and quality-of-life amenities, such as parks. These investments help ensure a strong, thriving community for residents and visitors alike.
Economic Drivers
Florida public power utilities serve as an engine for economic development. Local flexibility and quality service offered by municipal utilities are a major advantage for the community in attracting and retaining commercial and industrial businesses.
Fuel Diverse
Florida public power utilities continue to maintain a diverse fuel mix with a goal of providing more affordable and reliable power to customers through a mix of fuels, while exploring new and emerging technologies.
Florida has 33 public power utilities that serve more than 4 million residential and business customers.
Florida Municipal Power Agency
To celebrate Public Power Week, the Florida Municipal Power Agency is sharing a new series called FMPA 101 through its social media channels.
“Come back each day to learn something you might not know about Florida Municipal Power Agency and our role in the #FLPublicPower family,” it said.
Austin Energy
“As a public power provider, Austin Energy focuses on our community and we listen to its priorities,” said Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy interim general manager. “Since we operate right here in Austin serving our friends and neighbors, we are committed to helping them save energy and money while safely delivering clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service.”
"Public Power Week celebrates the unique connection that Austin Energy has had with our community for the last 130 years. Because we are community-owned, Austin Energy is customer-driven and community-focused," it said.
City Utilities of Springfield, Mo.
“Public Energy Week is about more than reliable electricity,” said Dwayne Fulk, President-CEO, President and CEO of City Utilities of Springfield, Mo.
“It’s about celebrating the fact that our utility is owned by the people we serve. That means decisions are made locally, investments stay here in Springfield, and our customers directly benefit from our commitment to safe, affordable, and dependable service.”
As a municipal utility, City Utilities is governed by the Board of Public Utilities and guided by the needs of Springfield residents and businesses. Unlike investor-owned utilities, CU operates without the need to generate profits for shareholders—allowing more resources to be reinvested into infrastructure, service improvements, and community initiatives. In fiscal year 2024, City Utilities contributed $15.7 million to the City of Springfield through its annual payment in lieu of taxes, along with continued investment in vital utility infrastructure that supports public safety and economic growth.
City Utilities continues to show how a community-owned utility delivers real value, it noted. Customers benefit from electric and natural gas rates that are consistently below state and national averages.
The utility is also a source of local job creation, where employees are deeply committed to giving back. In 2024 alone, CU employees raised $208,944 for local charities, including United Way Ozarks Region, Harmony House, and others.
Throughout Public Energy Week, City Utilities will share stories highlighting the dedication of its employees and the value of locally controlled utility service.
