Wilson NC – New CEO pledges to make NCEMPA competitive

Graham Edwards, the new chief executive officer of ElectriCities, said Wednesday he is committed to making the N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency more competitive and responsive to customers while meeting future challenges in the electric industry. (The Wilson Times)

Rocky Mount NC – Power agency won’t refinance bulk of debt

The ElectriCities issue is just so complicated. It seems to be no way out. I would love to see some community leaders from the 32 cities come together and talk about the issue. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

A citizen’s group advocating lower electric rates in Rocky Mount had hoped their goal could be accomplished by the refinancing of bonds funding power plants.

They learned Wednesday that would not likely happen.

“At this point, it is not a (financially) viable option,” said Tim Tunis, chief financial officer for ElectriCities, the administrative arm of the power company serving Rocky Mount. (Rocky Mount NC)

Wilson NC – Wilson activist taking a look back at the past year dealing with ElectriCities

Looking back over the past year we as citizens of Wilson and surrounding cities and towns was in an uproar about the large increases in our utilities. How quick we forget.

The more than $400.000 that was paid to the CEO. The bad deals that was made by him. The legal fees.

The pressure that we as citizen applied lead to the resigning of the CEO. How quick we forget.

Clay Norris $244,755.00 salary and the person who report direct to him also resigned.

All this came from people standing up and holding those who should be held accountable.

Now we are looking at new challenges. Electricities has a new CEO at more than $535.000 two different type bonus at 10% each car allowance put him at more than $600.000. How will Electricities pay this?

How is NCEMPA going to deal with this? Will they try to take back all the power they gave Electricities or should I say the Board of Directors. The board that voted on the packet that was given to Graham Edwards. How are we going to deal with this new challenge?

Yes we it is up to us to make the difference. How quick we forget. The middleman is just that. We need not look to our leaders they already voter for this. Out of 14 voting members of the board 11 yes and 3 no. We have the right to know how our elected official voted. As any time they vote on issuers that will affect us. I have not seen anywhere how he voted. He voted yes. How quick we forget.

No willingness to make a difference. We need not look to state or Fed to help we need to help each other. Lets work on the middle man. Lets not forget that we hold the power.

Ricardo Dew

Eaglechase Drive

See related:

Wilson NC – Concentrate on changing ElectriCities board

Wilson NC – Concentrate on changing ElectriCities board

More respectable? Heck Mr. Dew has been very respectful. He has challenged the Wilson City Council and ran for mayor during the previous election. On top of his community activism, he is a hard working man who wants what is good for the community of Wilson and surrounding counties as it relates to ElectriCities and other issues.

Mr. Dew has been on top of the ElectriCities issue and has done some great research. He was hosting a daily radio talk show for a while educating folks about ElectriCities so therefore folks in Wilson should be up on the ElectriCities issues. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

Looking back over the past year, we as citizens of Wilson and surrounding cities and towns were in an uproar over the large increases in our utilities.

How quick we forget the more than $400,000 that was paid to the former ElectriCities CEO, the bad deals that was made by him and his legal fees. (Wilson Daily Times)

Statesville NC – What Happened in Statesville May Happen Here

As weatherization money flows from the Federal Government that is a decent chance that it may work.  Weatherization project goals are geared to decrease the consumption of electrical needs of ratepayers.  Most Cities in both the western and eastern power agencies depend on utility revenue to balance their budgets. (Citizens For Fair Utilities)

Raleigh NC – ElectriCities Hires Graham Edwards as CEO

Damn here we go. This guy will make more than the former CEO. More money, mo money. Wow this is too interesting. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

We reported on this last week when we mentioned it regarding our video on the NCEMPA Board Meeting.  Edwards base salary will be  $535,000 a year plus benefit package (including severance).  Edwards worked at Midwest ISO until his retirement.  He retired to South Carolina.  Edwards starts June 22nd. (Citizens For Fair Utilities)

See related:

New ElectriCities CEO makes $100K more

Rocky Mount NC – Forum focuses on ways to reduce energy cost, usage

CLICK ON PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO

Reuben Blackwell CEO OIC and Rocky Mount City Councilman Moderator

The power agency that serves Rocky Mount customers will be asked next month to evaluate refinancing up to $2.5 billion in power plant debt to reduce electric rates.

The announcement was made on Thursday night at a forum put together by citizens who are fed up with high electric rates.

“These light bills are too high,” said George Fisher, the public relations chairman of Citizens for Fair Utilities, . . . (Rocky Mount Telegram)

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Rocky Mount NC – Utilities forum focuses on big picture

Rocky Mount NC – Utilities forum focuses on big picture

Citizens for Fair Utilities of Rocky Mount and Eastern North Carolina tonight will host, in conjunction with Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rocky Mount, an Eastern N.C. Energy Forum at the OIC Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m.

Featured speakers include U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District, and representatives from EnvironmentNC, the N.C. Energy Office, Wilson Community College, ElectriCities and Martin County Community Action Agency. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

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Rocky Mount NC – For Immediate Release: ENERGY FORUM BRINGS POLICY TO THE PEOPLE

Rocky Mount NC – For Immediate Release: ENERGY FORUM BRINGS POLICY TO THE PEOPLE

For Immediate Release May 5, 2009

ENERGY FORUM BRINGS POLICY TO THE PEOPLE

Rocky Mount (NC) – On Thursday, May 7^th the Citizens for Fair Utilities (CFFU) of Rocky Mount and Eastern NC are hosting, in conjunction with OIC, Inc. of Rocky Mount, an Eastern NC Energy Forum at the OIC Auditorium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Featured speakers include US Rep. G. K. Butterfield and representatives from ConservationNC, the NC Energy Office, Wilson Community College, ElectriCities and Martin County Community Action Agency.

“We initiated the idea of a dialogue between policy makers, policy influencers and policy implementers,” Jessie Frazier, co-founder of Citizens for Fair Utilities stated. “Consumers throughout the country, and in particular eastern North Carolina, are impacted directly by our elected and appointed officials who make and administer energy regulations and services.”

CFFU was formed to educate ElectriCities consumers about cost structuring, consumer tips and advocacy for lowering consumer energy costs. George Fisher, Public Relations Chair for CFFU commented, “We know that we need to be concerned about the entire energy picture. This conference is an attempt to put all the pieces together at one time.”

“Cities, residents and business owners in Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Wilson and a number of other towns and cities throughout the east are struggling to pay for the cost of electricity and gas now. We need to understand how energy policy is being crafted and how that impacts the way we live and our budgets today and in the future,” Reuben Blackwell, OIC President and CEO said. “This forum gives us an opportunity to hear directly from agency leaders and from our Congressman what the issues are and what we can expect.”

“People are trying to figure out how to live from day to day,” Andre’ Knight, Rocky Mount City Councilmember and NCEMPA Commissioner stated. “If we don’t change the way we live and consume energy, we won’t have a planet. At the same time, we can’t afford any more increases in our bills without increases in our income.”

Issues related to conservation, cap and trade legislation, weatherization, green jobs, ElectriCities debt and renewable energy will be discussed. The Forum is free to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Registration may be made by calling (252) 212-3460 through Thursday.

For more information, contact George Fisher at (252) 407-7771.

Rocky Mount NC – Eastern North Carolina Energy Forum featuring Congressman G. K. Butterfield

Raleigh NC – ElectriCities pulls plug on meeting at resort

It’s out with the lavish resort and spa in the mountains and in with the Raleigh Convention Center.

The administrative arm of the power company serving Rocky Mount has cancelled its reservations for its annual meeting at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville and has secured the center for its next retreat on Aug. 27. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

Wilson NC – Butterfield says he will seek relief for high utility rates

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield says he’s committed to addressing electric rate concerns voiced by Wilson and other municipal leaders in the ElectriCities service area.

Butterfield, D-Wilson, met with Mayor Bruce Rose and City Manager Grant Goings during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. City leaders annually travel to the nation’s capital each year as part of their federal lobbying efforts. (Wilson Times)

Note: Originally posted on April 5, 2009 9:32.

Rocky Mount NC – Utilities customer coalition seeks city council’s support

A citizens’ group is continuing its push to convince public officials to develop proposals for reducing Rocky Mount’s utility rates.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, leaders of Citizens For Fair Utilities asked the council to declare the month of May as “Utilities Awareness Month.” The council agreed to look over the proposed resolution and vote on it at the next meeting. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

See related:

Resolution

Citizens for Fair Utilities on FM 92.1 “Joy in the Morning Talk Show”

Rocky Mount NC – Citizens’ group to ask City Council for help in reducing electricity bills

A citizens’ group plans to ask the Rocky Mount City Council on Monday to become actively engaged in their efforts to lower electric rates.

The group, known as “Citizens For Fair Utilities,” plans to request that the council declare May “Utility Awareness Month.”

It is asking public officials and residents to participate in upcoming meetings to discuss ideas for reducing electric rates. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

Wilson NC – Power agency explains rate structure’s trends

WILSON  — Members of the N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency Rate Committee were briefed on the history of the agency’s electric rate structure during a workshop Thursday.

Held at the request of several municipal representatives, the extensive workshop session enlightened officials as to how the agency’s rates came into effect and what can be done in the future to stabilize electric rates. (Rocky Mount Telegram)