Clayton Public Power provides a premium level of service for customers by being "close to home."

In the event of a storm or other calamity, our linemen are nearby, ready to respond, and very knowledgeable about the system and how it operates. Our Town of Clayton customers won't have to wait several hours for an electrical issue to be addressed; we're already on-site and working hard to restore your power! Our Electric Department includes nine experienced linemen; the Department Director, an Electric Systems Supervisor; and seven Electric Line Technicians.

What does a lineman do?

A lineman is someone who constructs and maintains electric power transmission and distribution facilities. They keep your lights on! How are they trained? In addition to on-the-job training, the Town of Clayton is affiliated with ElectriCities of North Carolina, a not-for-profit association of fifty-one municipal electric providers across the State. ElectriCities offers more than 20 safety-related schools and workshops each year, which provide valuable life-saving skills for linemen. Our linemen also participate in a comprehensive Career Development Program, resulting in a Journeymen Certificate from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This is a designation that is widely recognized throughout the industry and is reserved for someone who has proven to be a top performer in the field.

How Does Clayton Provide Power?

Clayton Public Power owns and operates its own electric distribution system for service to the majority of residential and business customers within the Town Limits. The Town of Clayton also owns a small percentage of the generating capacity in the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, as necessary to supply our customers with clean, reliable energy and cost-effective service.

Our History

Occasionally, we hear the question, "Why is the Town of Clayton in the electric business?" The simple answer is, to ensure that our customers have a reliable source of electricity for their homes and businesses. In the early 1900s, when the household use of electricity was becoming more established, the major power providers, Progress Energy and Duke Power, were concentrating on providing service to the larger metropolitan areas like Raleigh, Wilmington, Durham, and Charlotte. These major players had constructed transmission lines across country in order to supply power in these larger, more densely populated areas. Some of the smaller towns along these transmission routes negotiated with the major providers to purchase wholesale power from them, and they would construct their own electric distribution systems. This way, the municipalities could speed progress along by providing the much-desired electricity for their own citizens, and at the same time, generate a diverse revenue stream to support local services. Some of the towns in the immediate area who own and operate their own electric systems include the towns of Smithfield, Selma, Benson, Apex, Wake Forest, and of course, the Town of Clayton. The Town of Clayton's electric system was established in December 1913 with about 300 customers and has grown to just over 5,000 at the present time.

Clayton Public Power is always working hard!

To help our crews do their job safely, there are many different pieces of equipment that must be used. Here is a listing of just some of the tools of the trade.

• Line Truck - We use this truck to set and remove poles and set and remove transformers. We also use it when we are installing electric utilities.
• Large Bucket Truck - This will reach up to 57 feet! This is the main truck we use to work on energized power lines.
• Small Bucket Truck - This is the truck that we use to repair area lights, street lights, and hang banners. We also use it to assist the Large Bucket Truck when working on power lines.
• Underground Truck and Excavator - We use this equipment when we are installing underground utilities.
• Trencher - This is used when we are installing underground utilities.
• Pulling Rig - This is used for installing overhead and underground utilities.
• Tensioner Machine - This is used for installing overhead and underground utilities.

Clayton Public Power has one goal and one goal only - to keep your power on. Limbs and branches that overhang power lines are a major cause of widespread power outages during and after wind, rain or ice storms. Flickering and dimming lights can be caused by tree limbs rubbing or lying against the power lines. That's why the Town of Clayton uses an aggressive tree-trimming program to help cut down on those outages and provide you reliable electric service. We've earned the Tree City USA title for 11 years in a row and counting and do our best to preserve the beauty and benefits of all trees in our community.

• You do not incur any charges for required tree trimming work
• Crews only perform work needed to maintain reliable electric service
• Work is done efficiently to minimize disruption
• We remove the debris

Use this quick reference guide to get to the correct person faster!

Electrical Emergencies: 

Call 911 or 919-553-1530

Call 919-553-5002 for:

• Billing Questions
• To Pay Your Bill
• Connect/Disconnect Services

Call 919-553-1530 for:

• Power Outages - Report a power outage in your area. Please be aware that we may not be able to give you specific answers about why an outage occurred or when it will be restored. There are many factors involved in repairing an outage, but we will work as diligently and quickly as safely possible to get power restored!
• Street Light/Area Light Outage - Report a street/area light outage. Please have the specific location (there is a number on each pole) and any details, like if the light is completely out or flickering when you call.
• Street Light/Area Light Installation - Request a street light or area light to be installed on your property. Here is the form you will need to make the request.
• Request Underground Installation - If you would like to request an underground installation, fill out this form.
• Trees Touching Power Lines - Please do not attempt to trim trees on or near power lines. Call us, we can determine the best course of action.
• Request Energy Audit - Our staff can come to your location and help determine the best ways to improve your home's energy efficiency. They may recommend better insulation, a low flow showerhead or many other improvements to help reduce costs and this service is free!
• Load Management - Get a credit on your monthly bill for participating in this program (PDF) that helps reduce the load during peak hours. You will need to complete this application (PDF).
• Medical Seal List Request - Request to be placed (PDF) on a "Medical Alert Program" which lets our staff know that someone in your house has a medical necessity for power to remain on.

Call 811 - Before Digging

• Before doing any digging in your yard, call 811 to protect underground lines. Read more here (in English) (PDF). Leer más aquí (español) (PDF).
• Visit the North Carolina 811 Website

If you are a Duke Progress Customer (like in the Riverwood Subdivision) call: Duke Progress Energy (customers not on Town billing) at 800-419-6356 or 919-508-5400.