About Public Power

Powering Strong Communities

Community-owned, not-for-profit public power utilities power homes and businesses in approximately 2,000 communities — from small towns to large cities. They safely provide reliable, low-cost electricity to nearly 55 million people across 49 states and five territories. These utilities generate or buy electricity from diverse sources. They employ more than 100,000 people and earn $67 billion in revenue each year. Public power supports local commerce and jobs and invests in the communities they serve.

Reliable

Customers of public power utilities lose power less often. Customers of a public power utility experienced an average of 1.5 fewer hours without power than customers of other utility types in 2024, outside of major adverse events, and nearly 6 fewer hours without power than customers of other utility types in 2024, outside of major adverse events, and nearly 6 fewer hours without power during major events.

Electricity from Diverse Sources

Public power generates 8% of all electricity in the U.S. and distributes — or sells at the retail level — 15% of all power flowing to homes and businesses.

Public power utilities care for the environment while they buy or generate electricity from natural gas, coal, and nuclear, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind. About 41% of public power-owned generation was from clean energy sources in 2024. In several regions, public power utilities can buy wholesale hydropower generated from federal dams at cost and pass the savings on to customers. Public power utilities buy most of their wind and solar energy through power purchase agreements, rather than direct ownership. In 2023, public power contracted for more than 23,000 megawatts of wind, solar, hydro, and other renewable capacity.

The Community Connection

Like public schools and libraries, public power utilities are owned by the community and run as a division of local government. These utilities are governed by a local city council or an elected or appointed board. Community citizens have a direct voice in utility decisions and policymaking. Public power infrastructure projects are often funded through the issue of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Public power utilities are embedded into the fabric of their communities and support a range of community programs including charitable, educational, and beautification programs. Public power utilities paid a median of 5.1% of electric operating revenues back to the community in 2022 — through taxes, fees, and special services. Public power’s contributions, when all taxes, tax equivalents, and other contributions are considered, was 9% higher than what private utilities paid in 2022, as a percent of electric operating revenues.