The City of Gastonia's Electric Division has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to workplace safety, earning a 2025 ElectriCities Municipal Electric Safety Award.
The award recognizes public power utilities that achieve exceptional safety performance and maintain safe operating practices throughout the year. The City of Gastonia received the recognition after recording no lost workday cases resulting from workplace accidents or injuries during 2025.
"Safety is a core value for our Electric Division," said Dusty Wentz, Public Services Director. "Our crews work in challenging environments every day to maintain and improve the electric system that serves our community. This award reflects their commitment to following safe work practices and looking out for one another."
Electric lineworkers and utility personnel routinely work around high-voltage equipment, respond to outages during severe weather, and perform maintenance necessary to provide reliable electric service. The award, presented through ElectriCities, recognizes Gastonia’s dedication to completing that work safely while serving residents and businesses throughout the community. Safety performance is measured through workplace injury and accident reporting required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
"Providing reliable electric service begins with ensuring our employees return home safely each day," said Assistant City Manager Brian Potocki. "This recognition highlights the professionalism, training, and safety culture that our Electric Division demonstrates every day."
The City of Gastonia has owned and operated its own municipal electrical system since 1900. Gastonia is part of ElectriCities of North Carolina, and, along with 18 other municipal partners, owns a portion of the Catawba Nuclear Station. ElectriCities is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia collectively known as public power.
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.