NEWBERRY – More than 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 48 million Americans will celebrate Public Power Week October 1-7.

The City of Newberry Utilities Department is celebrating all of its services they provide customers by hosting Public Utilities Week (#PublicUtilitiesWeek), along with the National Public Power Week.

“Public Power Week celebrates the reliable, affordable electricity the City of Newberry provides to our community,” said Utility Director Tim Baker. “Public power puts the people of Newberry first, and Public Power Week gives us the chance to emphasize the advantages of locally grown, locally owned power that supports strong communities,” Baker said.

Newberry’s utility services are reliable and safe and Baker said they took pride in serving their friends and neighbors.

“We are proud to have served Newberry for over 120 years,” Baker said.

The City of Newberry Utilities Department invites community members to participate in a variety of Public Utilities Week events. Activities include:

Elementary aged students in schools in the City were asked to color a utilities tip coloring page chosen for their grade level, entering them to win a City of Newberry Public Utilities T-shirt. Judges will choose one coloring page from each grade level to be displayed at City Hall for the month of October. Winners will be recognized at the end of the week at the Public Utilities Celebration.

A Public Power Week celebrationwill be held on Friday, Oct. 6 from 3-6 p.m. in Mollohon Park (211 Player Street) in Newberry. The first 100 residents who bring the latest copy of their utility bill to the utilities tent will receive a City of Newberry utilities goodie bag.

Customers can also enter to win door prizes that will include bill credits and various gift cards. There will be inflatables, a dunking booth, games, popcorn, corndogs, snow cones and much more for the whole family. The Captain Public Power mascot will be available for pictures with the kids. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held at City Hall.

Follow City of Newberry Public Utilities on Facebook and Newberry Utilities on Twitter for the latest updates in energy saving techniques, updates on Public Utilities week and how public utilities benefit the community as a whole.

The City of Newberry Utilities Department has 43 employees. The electric system currently maintains two delivery points, has a peak system load of 44.3 megawatts and maintains 200 line miles. It serves approximately 4600 residential customers and 400 commercial and industrial customers.

The water system has a capacity of 8.1 MGD and serves approximately 4,200 residential customers, 800 commercial and industrial customers and 2 wholesale customers through roughly 127 main line miles. The sewer system has a capacity of 5.0 MGD and serves approximately 3600 residential customers and 600 commercial and industrial customers through roughly 124 main line miles.

Mayor Foster Senn signed a proclamation declaring October 1-7 as Public Power Week in the City of Newberry. That week, more than 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 48 million Americans will celebrate Public Power Week. The City of Newberry Utilities Department is celebrating all of its services they provide customers by hosting Public Utilities Week, along with the National Public Power Week. Front row (left to right): Utilities Director Tim Baker, Mayor Foster Senn. Back row (left to right): Jimmy Cromer, William Brown, Elyssa Haven, Gary Grice, Casey Proctor, Michael Ballenger, Ken Gillespie, Chris Odom, Katie Werts, Casey Smith and Don Hurst.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Public-Utilities-Week-17.jpgMayor Foster Senn signed a proclamation declaring October 1-7 as Public Power Week in the City of Newberry. That week, more than 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 48 million Americans will celebrate Public Power Week. The City of Newberry Utilities Department is celebrating all of its services they provide customers by hosting Public Utilities Week, along with the National Public Power Week. Front row (left to right): Utilities Director Tim Baker, Mayor Foster Senn. Back row (left to right): Jimmy Cromer, William Brown, Elyssa Haven, Gary Grice, Casey Proctor, Michael Ballenger, Ken Gillespie, Chris Odom, Katie Werts, Casey Smith and Don Hurst. Courtesy photo

By Elyssa Haven

For The Newberry Observer