About Public Power

Public power agencies like IMPA serve the community, not shareholders. Nationwide, there are over 2,000 public power agencies, serving 49 million people in 49 states and five US territories.  One out of every seven people in the US is served by a public power utility, so there’s public power near YOU. 

Check out this video to learn how IMPA (the Indiana Municipal Power Agency) gives back to the communities we serve through the public power we provide.

Benefits of Public Power 

 

Public Power is Locally Controlled.
Like public schools and libraries, public power utilities are owned by the community and run as a division of local government. Governed by a local city council or an elected or appointed board, community citizens have a direct voice in utility decisions, including the rates it charges and its sources of electricity.

Public Power is Affordable.
Across the country, municipal electric utilities continue to lead the way in providing customers with low-cost energy. Public power’s historically lower rates are the result of the low-cost structure central to its business model, supported by its not-for-profit status, access to tax-exempt financing, higher credit ratings, and its ability to contract for low-cost power supplies.

Public Power is Invested in the Community.
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 employs 93,000 local people across the United States in hometown jobs.

Public Power is Reliable.
Public power utilities are actively responsive to customers’ needs and concerns because their primary goal is to provide efficient, reliable service to the customers in their communities. Public power utilities focus on overall system reliability; quick restoration of power after an outage; and making excellent customer service a priority.

Public Power is Environmentally Responsible. 
Public power utilities utilize diverse generation sources when providing power to their customers, including natural gas, coal, and nuclear, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar, water, and wind. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 33% from 2005 to 2017*, public power utilities recognize the importance of environmental stewardship and continue to invest in sustainable power sources. 

*2019 Public Power Statistical Report