November 5, 2007

Bryan utility sweeps public power awards ceremony

By LOU PENDLETON

Bryan’s hometown utility and staff received 10 awards at the recent American Municipal Power of Ohio (AMP-Ohio) 2007 Annual Awards Banquet in Columbus. Bryan Municipal Utilities was honored for outstanding achievment in finance, innovation, system improvement, environmental stewardship and safety.

“Every year, we receive more awards than most of the other communities,” said Steve Casebere, director of utilities. “The awards are the result of our work ethic and progressive approach to utility operations.”

Bryan Municipal Utilities was the recipient of two Finance Awards – Highest Credit Score and Most Improved Credit Score. New to the program this year, the Finance Awards recognize the significant efforts of communities to increase their overall financial strength and commitment to financial excellence.

The utility also received an Innovation Award for installing photovoltaic school zone flashers. The Bryan Electric Department and City Engineering teamed up to purchase and install two complete solar-powered school zone traffic flashers for the Bryan High School. The Innovation Award recognizes public power communities that are providing new ideas, programs and more efficient ways to serve customers.

“This project provided another opportunity for Bryan Municipal Utilities to demonstrate its commitment to green energy,” said Casebere. “The units generate their own power and cost nothing to operate.”

The utility received an Environmental Stewardship Award for its compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb giveaway. Last winter, the utility invited its customers to replace at least one light bulb in their homes with an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulb. More than 550 customers took up the offer and exchanged a coupon for a free CFL bulb.

Compact fluorescent lights use 66 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL saves 47 watts in energy while still enjoying the same light output.

Bryan Municipal Utilities received a System Improvement Award for upgrading the circuits that feed the west side of Bryan and the park from 4 kV overhead to 12 kV underground. In the process, the last strands of overhead electric lines in Moore Park were taken down.

“The new underground electric circuit will be untroubled by ice, wind, tree limbs and squirrels, and with no bare energized high voltages overhead, the parks will be safer,” said Brian Carlin, electric department superintendent.

The utility and staff were recognized with a number of Safety Awards. Both the Electric Department and the Power Plant earned Saftey Awards for no time lost because of reportable injuries or accidents. In addition, Lineworker Kevin Rau and Power Plant Operator Richard Long received Hard Hat Safety Awards. The award recognizes municipal electric system employees who contribute to safety within their community during the past year, show adherence to on the job safety procedures and promote electrical safety within their department and community.

“The most important awards are the Safety Awards,” Casebere said, “because the best thing employees can do is go home every night with no injuries.”

At the conference, Casebere received an award for outstanding service to the Ohio Public Power Educational Institute Board of Trustees and was re-elected as secretary. Casebere was also re-elected as chairman of the Municipal Energy Services Association Board.

Bryan is a member of AMP-Ohio, the non-profit wholesale power supplier and services provider for 91 member communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan. The 2007 AMP-Ohio Conference, held October 22-25, set a record for attendance, drawing more than 410 people representing 66 member communities, Municipal Electric Partners and AMP-Ohio staff. Sessions covered technical, administrative and financial aspects of the electric industry.