Contact: Regina Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

WASHINGTON (January 14, 2021) — The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and public utility commissions across the nation urge the public to observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 18, 2021, with a day of service. In 2008, NARUC’s Board of Directors passed a resolution designating the holiday as a Day of Utility Service.

According to the National & Community Service website, “The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as ‘a day on, not a day off,’ MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.”

NARUC supports this message and recommends utility-related community service projects.

“The pandemic and continued calls for racial equality underscore this year’s recognition of Dr. King, who championed both public service and equality for all. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen great examples of dedicated Americans serving their communities,” said NARUC President Paul Kjellander of Idaho. “We encourage everyone across the country to celebrate the day with acts of utility and community service.”

As part of its observance, NARUC promotes an ‘Anybody Can Serve, So Let’s Conserve’ campaign in an effort to demonstrate how to positively benefit communities through acts of conservation and basic lifestyle changes. Examples include adjusting thermostats, weatherization and installing energy-efficient lightbulbs and water-saving devices. More activities—many of which can be performed virtually or physically distanced—can be found at https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day.  

NARUC adopted the resolution designating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a Utility Day of Service at the Winter Committee Meetings in Washington, D.C., on February 20, 2008. The resolution is available at bit.ly/NARUCMLKDAY.  Follow NARUC and related social media posts for MLK Day using the hashtags #MLKDAY21, #DayOn and #UtilityService.

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About NARUC

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government. www.naruc.org