Your Community. Your Utility.
That is this year’s theme for Public Power Week, which we celebrate October 4-10. In just six words, it captures what makes public power unique: a municipal electric utility belongs to the community it serves.
Wessington Springs’s electric utility is locally owned and managed, with decisions made in the community’s best interest.
That local ownership creates a direct connection between the community and its electric utility. Customers have a voice in how their utility operates, the services it provides and how it plans for the future.
What does that mean for Wessington Springs? Revenue from the electric system stays local, supporting system improvements and helping fund other essential city services.
Local ownership also means decisions about electric rates are made in your community, by your community. In 2024, residential customers served by public power utilities paid an average of 14% less for electricity than those served by private utilities.
And because municipal utilities are accountable to the communities they serve, residents have opportunities to provide input at public meetings and through their elected representatives.
Public power is about more than keeping the lights on. It’s about local ownership, local decisionmaking and keeping the benefits of the electric system close to home. It’s about knowing your customers, understanding your community’s needs and having a direct connection to the people you serve.
During Public Power Week, take a moment to recognize what public power means for Wessington Springs. Your community. Your utility. Your power. Russell Olson, CEO Heartland Energy