Beginning in the 1980s, the electric utility industry began to use pre-decision public participation on potentially controversial decisions such as siting of power lines, substations and power plants.

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Edison Electric Institute, the trade association for investor-owned utilities, contracted with Creighton to develop a public participation manual targeted at the utility industry, and also hired Creighton to conduct a series of national training programs. Over the years Creighton updated the manual into two additional editions.

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During the 1990s the biggest issue facing the utility industry was public concern about electric and magnetic fields (EMF) surrounding electric facilities. Creighton prepared a manual for the Electric Power Research Institute, and a training course for the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association. This training course won a national award from association executives.

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Creighton has been actively involved in designing or conducting public participation programs for the following utilities:

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