More than 2,000 communities across the country have created public power systems—not-for-profit electric utilities that are owned by the communities and the people they serve. Public power systems share a common purpose—to provide adequate, reliable service at a reasonable price. They are locally owned and operated, giving citizens a direct voice in utility decisions through public meetings, the ballot box, and open policy board meetings. Across the country, not-for-profit utilities have an established track record of delivering affordable services. Nearly 500 of them have already celebrated 100 years in business, with 70 percent of all public power systems serving communities of less than 10,000 people.