April 19, 2010

BMU honored for reliable, safe electric service

Bryan Municipal Utilities was one of 94 of the nation’s 2,000 public power utilities to earn Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) recognition from the American Public Power Association for providing customers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

Marc Gerken, chair of the APPA Board of Directors, presented Bryan Electric Superintendent Brian Carlin with the award during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held March 28-31 in Omaha, Nebraska.

“I accepted the award on behalf of our entire electric department team,” said Carlin. “Being recognized by the RP3 program demonstrates to our commitment to our employees, our customers, and to our community. RP3 certification is a sign that our utility is focused on operating an efficient and reliable distribution system.”

This is the third time that Bryan has received the RP3 award. Carlin said that every year, APPA’s RP3 review panel increases the certifications requirements. “We were awarded the RP3 certification in 2008, and the designation lasts for two years. To get recertified, we had to improve on what we have already done,” he said.

"The RP3 designation represents a high level of service to communities all over the country," said Paul Allen, vice president of operations at the Nashville Electric Service, who chairs the RP3 Review Panel. "These 94 utilities stand out as models of safe and reliable utility operations."

The RP3 recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, training and system improvement. Criteria within each category are based on sound business practices and represent a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity.

“This year the evaluation committee emphasized workforce development, system improvement, and utility safety in their criteria process,” Carlin said. “The RP3 is a great program because it gives us a timeline and direction on where we need to improve in order to continue certification.”

Nine other public power utilities in Ohio also received the RP3 award: Hamilton, Painesville, Oberlin, Orrville, Shelby, Tipp City, Versailles, Wadsworth and Westerville. More information and a full list of designees is available at www.APPAnet.org.