A one-stop resource for public power advocates preparing campaigns to take over their electric utility.
Successful public power campaigns need to build strong coalitions, find a winning message, and use legal and political savvy to overcome utility opposition.
The Public Power Handbook is a guide for communities exploring models of publicly owned power, such as a municipal electric utility, as a path toward local control, clean and affordable energy investment, and democratic accountability.
The handbook provides step-by-step guidance for advocates and community members on how to municipalize (or take over) a private utility, from building a winning coalition to anticipating and countering utility pushback. The handbook also outlines alternatives to full municipalization that still further the goals of local energy control and utility accountability.
Key Handbook Takeaways
- Communities can take back control of their energy system in a process called utility municipalization — if they know what to expect.
- Connecting with and learning from other public power advocates helps campaigns succeed.
- Monopoly utilities use dirty but predictable tactics to fight public power.
- Even public power campaigns that don’t succeed can make utilities improve their service and accountability.
