Commissioners started their January Board meeting by recognizing the Water Treatment Plant Staff for earning the Area Wide Optimization Program Award (AWOP) for the 9th year in a row. Click here for details.

Next, they agreed to a six-year extension of a contract to purchase natural gas at a discount. The current contract has been in place since 2019 and has saved the Commission more than $870,000 in the past 5.5 years. They also approved a contract for a company to build a water main extension to the Whitehurst Station area. 

The big item on the agenda was approval of the rates for customers who wish to participate in the upcoming community solar project. Residential customers will be able to participate for a registration fee and then as little as $3.05 per month. 

The GUC Board of Commissioners held their annual workshop immediately following the Board meeting. Roy Jones, Chief Executive Officer of ElectriCities of NC, gave an update on the financial pressures affecting the cost of energy for the next several years. 

Director of HR Richie Shreves and Chief Administrative Officer Chris Padgett provided an update on succession planning. Chris and Andy Anderson, Director of Information Technology, provided details of a plan to implement a conversion from our current meter system to an Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) system for all of our utilities. Commissioners also heard an update on economic development activities and opportunities from Josh Lewis, President and CEO of the Greenville ENC Alliance. 

General Manager / CEO Tony Cannon wrapped up the workshop with a look at where we are in the budget process and getting feedback from Commissioners on the information they heard during the workshop.