Pikeville town board picks rep for energy votes
By Brandon Davis
Published in News on April 5, 2017 9:59 AM
Full SizePIKEVILLE -- Town clerk Lisa Pate was approved by board members Monday night to serve as an alternate representative at Duke Energy Progress meetings for the town of Pikeville.
Pate became the town clerk in January, and she will represent the town at the energy meetings in Wilson once every other month if town administrator Michael Hunt is unavailable to attend.
Hunt said Pate joins town commissioner Robert Hooks as the second alternate on the board of commissioners for the town's agreement with the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency.
Duke Energy Progress acquired NCEMPA's generating assets in 2015.
"I can get to be a part of that with Michael," Pate said. "I plan to follow Mr. Hunt's lead and take advantage of this opportunity."
Hunt said Pate will be able to vote on agendas regarding the town's power only in the absence of Hunt, who was sworn in as a representative two years ago.
He could not confirm the date of the next meeting, but he said Pate will be officially sworn in by the power agency near the end of the month. He said Pate will serve as a representative for the town along with 32 other municipalities.
"I am very excited about this opportunity as it gives me the ability to meet new people and learn a great deal from my experiences of attending meetings," Pate said.