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Awards and Accolades

ElectriCities member communities are leaders in providing superior service and are frequently recognized for excellence in safety, reliability, and overall performance. If you are aware of an award or accolade that should be included, please email Corporate Communications with more information.

About the Awards

APPA Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation

The American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Reliable Public Power Provider program recognizes utilities that demonstrate high proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.

An RP3 designation is a sign of a utility's dedication to operating an efficient, safe, and reliable distribution system. Being recognized by the RP3 program demonstrates to community leaders, governing board members, suppliers, and service providers a utility’s commitment to its employees, customers, and community. Currently 271 of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities hold an RP3 designation.

As of 2023, ElectriCities of North Carolina has 32 members with RP3 designations — a testament to our commitment to reliable power!

APPA Certificates of Excellence for Reliable Performance

A "certificate of excellence" for reliable performance as shown by comparing their outage records against nationwide data gathered by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). At the end of the year, the Association benchmarks their data against national statistics from EIA, which is a branch of the Department of Energy. Utilities that placed in the top quartile of reliability nationwide, as measured against the EIA's data on SAIDI received the certificate of excellence.

APPA Safety Awards of Excellence

The American Public Power Association’s safety awards recognize utilities with the lowest safety incidence rate within their groups. Groups are determined by worker-hours of exposure. Receiving this designation is a sign of a utility's dedication to ensuring the safety of employees, reducing overall operating costs and potential liabilities as reflected in the community's annual budget.

APPA Smart Energy Provider designation

The American Public Power Association’s Smart Energy Provider program provides recognition to public power utilities that demonstrate their leading practices in the areas of energy efficiency, distributed generation, environmental stewardship and renewable energy. Utilities that successfully meet the guidelines in each area earn the designation as a Smart Energy Provider.

Member Awards 2023

2023 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Diamond Level

• City of Monroe

• City of Rocky Mount

• City of Statesville

• Wilson Energy

2023 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Platinum Level

• Town of Apex

• New River Light & Power

2023 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Gold Level

• Gaffney Board of Public Works (S.C.)

• Town of Cornelius

• Town of Huntersville

• Town of Pineville

• Town of Tarboro

2022 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence

• City of Monroe, N.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Granite Falls, N.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Gaffney Board of Public Works (S.C.): First in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• New River Light & Power (N.C.): Third in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Rocky Mount, N.C.: Honorable Mention in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Apex, N.C.: First in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Statesville, N.C.: Third in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Lumberton, N.C.: Honorable Mention in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.): Second in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Concord, N.C.: Third in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Rock Hill, S.C.: Honorable Mention in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Wilson Energy (N.C.): Honorable Mention in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)

2022 APPA Certificate of Excellence for Reliable Performance

• City of Concord

• City of Laurinburg

• City of Lumberton

• City of Monroe

• City of Newberry, S.C.

• City of Rocky Mount

• Fayetteville PWC

• Martinsville Electric Department (Va.)

• New River Light & Power

• Seneca Light & Water (S.C.)

• Town of Apex

• Town of Cornelius

• Town of Front Royal, Va.

• Town of Tarboro

• Town of Wake Forest

• Wilson Energy

2022 Tree Line USA designees

• City of Rocky Mount

• Gaffney Board of Public Works (S.C.)

• Wake Forest Power

Member Awards 2022

2022 APPA Smart Energy Provider Designees

• Greenville Utilities Commission

• New River Light & Power

2022 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Diamond Level

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission

• Lexington Utilities

• City of New Bern

2022 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Platinum Level

• Front Royal, Va.

2022 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Gold Level

• Town of Clayton

• City of Newton

2021 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence

• Greer Commission of Public Works, S.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Newberry, S.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Granite Falls, N.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Smithfield, N.C.: First in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Shelby, N.C.: Third in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

2021 APPA Certificate of Excellence for Reliable Performance

• City of Albemarle

• City of Elizabeth City

• City of Kinston

• City of Laurinburg

• City of Lumberton

• City of Monroe

• City of Newton

• City of Rocky Mount

• City of Shelby

• Fayetteville Public Works Commision

• Martinsville Electric Department (Va.)

• New River Light & Power

• Seneca Light & Water (S.C.)

• Town of Apex

• Town of Granite Falls

• Town of Smithfield

• Town of Tarboro

• Town of Wake Forest

• Wilson Energy

ElectriCities Awards 2022

ElectriCities of NC: Business Facilities Top Utilities 2022

These top utilities did much more than provide energy in 2021. Read the full article here.

Member Awards 2021

2021 APPA Smart Energy Provider Designees

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission

• Wilson Energy

2021 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

Video

• Greenville Utilities Commission, Award of Merit

2021 Public Power Awards of Excellence winners

Continuous Improvement:
Apex, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Maiden, Morganton, New River Light & Power, Rocky Mount, Statesville, and Wilson

Grid Modernization:
Clayton, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Greenville Utilities Commission, Laurinburg, Morganton, New River Light & Power, Statesville, and Wilson

Wholesale Power Cost:
Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Lexington, New River Light & Power, Rocky Mount, Statesville, Tarboro, and Wilson

Workforce Planning and Development:
Albemarle, Dallas, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Lexington, Maiden, New River Light & Power, Rocky Mount, Statesville, Tarboro, and Wilson

Value of Public Power:
Dallas, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Lexington, Maiden, New River Light & Power, Rocky Mount, Statesville, and Wilson

2021 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Diamond Level

• City of Albemarle

• City of High Point Electric Utility

• Town of Granite Falls

• Greenville Utilities Commission

• City of Rock Hill, SC

• Town of Smithfield

• Wake Forest Power

2021 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Platinum Level

• City of Danville, VA - Department of Power & Light

• City of Elizabeth City

• City of Kinston

• City of Shelby

2021 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Gold Level

• City of Gastonia

• City of Lumberton

• City of Newberry, SC

2020 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence

• Gaffney Board of Public Works (SC): First Place in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Granite Falls: First Place in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Greer Commission of Public Works (SC): First Place in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Kinston: First Place in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Laurens Commission of Public Works (SC): First Place in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Newberry (SC): First Place in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• City of Shelby: Second Place in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)

• Town of Smithfield: First Place in Group A (systems with less than 15,000 worker-hours of exposure)

2020 APPA Certificate of Excellence for Reliable Performance

• City of Concord

• City of Laurinburg

• City of Lumberton - EUD

• City of Monroe

• City of New Bern

• City of Shelby

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission

• New River Light and Power

• Town of Apex

• Town of Benson

• Town of Smithfield

• Town of Tarboro

• Town of Wake Forest

• Wilson Energy

APPA Mutual Aid Commendations

For Restoration Efforts in February 2021

• The Town of Apex provided aid to the Town of Blackstone Light & Power Department, VA, and Danville Utilities, VA.

• The City of Elizabeth City provided aid to the Town of Blackstone Light & Power Department, VA.

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission provided aid to the City of High Point.

• The City of New Bern provided aid to the City of High Point.

• The City of Rocky Mount provided aid to the Town of Blackstone Light & Power Department, VA, and Danville Utilities, VA.

• The City of Statesville provided aid to Danville Utilities, VA.

• The Town of Tarboro provided aid to the Town of Blackstone Light & Power Department, VA, and Danville Utilities, VA.

• The Town of Wake Forest provided aid to the Town of Blackstone Light & Power Department, VA.

For Restoration Efforts in Aug. & Sept. 2021

• Greenville Utilities Commission provided aid to the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in Houma, Louisiana.

• The City of High Point provided aid to the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in Houma, Louisiana.

• The City of Statesville provided aid to the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in Houma, Louisiana.

• The Town of Wake Forest provided aid to the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in Houma, Louisiana.

• The City of Wilson (Wilson Energy) provided aid to the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in Houma, Louisiana.

ElectriCities Awards 2021

2021 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

Award of Excellence, Print/Digital Category: 2020 Annual Report

ElectriCities of NC: Business Facilities Top Utilities 2021

Our top power players are all preparing for a robust recovery in 2021. Read the full article here.

2021 International Economic Development Council - Excellence in Economic Development Awards

Silver Award, Paid Advertising Campaign: LinkedIn Campaign

Bronze Award, Print Brochure: Economic Value Studies

Bronze Award, Digital Media: Weekly Wire e-newsletter

Member Awards 2020

2020 Public Power Awards of Excellence winners

Continuous Improvement:
Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, New River Light and Power, Tarboro, and Wilson

Grid Modernization:
Albemarle, Apex, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, New River Light and Power, Statesville, Tarboro, and Wilson

Wholesale Power Cost:
Albemarle, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Morganton, New River Light and Power, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Statesville, and Wilson

Workforce Planning and Development:
Albemarle, Apex, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Morganton, New River Light and Power, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Statesville, and Wilson

Value of Public Power:
Albemarle, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, Kinston, Maiden, Morganton, New Bern, New River Light and Power, Rocky Mount, Statesville, Tarboro, and Wilson

2020 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Diamond Level

• New River Light & Power Company

• Rocky Mount Public Utilities

• City of Statesville Electric Utilities

• Wilson Energy

2020 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Platinum Level

• Town of Apex

• Gaffney Board of Public Works

• City of Monroe

• Town of Tarboro

2020 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees

Gold Level

• Town of Cornelius

• Town of Huntersville

• Town of Pineville

2019 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence

• City of Albemarle

• Gaffney Board of Public Works (Gaffney, S.C.)

• Town of Granite Falls

• Greenville Utilities Commission

• Greer Commission of Public Works (Greer, S.C.)

• Laurens Commission of Public Works (Laurens, S.C.)

• New River Light and Power

• City of Newberry (Newberry, S.C.)

• Town of Smithfield

2019 APPA Certificates of Excellence for Reliable Performance

• Town of Apex

• City of Concord

• City of Monroe

• Town of Smithfield

• Town of Tarboro

• Town of Wake Forest

• Wilson Energy

2020 APPA Smart Energy Provider Designees

• Greenville Utilities Commission

• New River Light and Power

2020 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

Web and Social Media

• Greenville Utilities Commission, Award of Excellence, Class C

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Award of Merit, Class B

2020 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

Print and Digital

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Award of Merit, Class B

2020 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

Video

• Greenville Utilities Commission, Award of Excellence, Class C

• Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Award of Merit, Class B

2020 APPA Mutual Aid Commendation Award Recipients

City of Concord provided aid to:

• Town of Drexel

City of Gastonia provided aid to:

• Town of Dallas

• Town of Drexel

City of High Point provided aid to:

• City of Danville, VA

• Lafayette Utilities System, LA

• City of New Bern

• SLEMCO, LA

• Sevier County Electric System, TN

• City of Statesville

City of Kings Mountain provided aid to:

• Town of Granite Falls

City of Monroe provided aid to:

• City of Newton

City of Newton provided aid to:

• Town of Maiden

• City of Morganton

City of Rocky Mount provided aid to:

• Town of Belhaven

• City of Danville, VA

• SLEMCO, LA

• City of St. Martinsville, LA

• City of Washington

• Sevier County Electric System, TN

City of Shelby provided aid to:

• City of Statesville

City of Statesville provided aid to:

• Lafayette Utilities System, LA

• Sevier County Electric System, TN

• City of New Bern

Fayetteville Public Works Commission provided aid to:

• City of Morganton

Town of Tarboro provided aid to:

• Town of Edenton

• Town of Scotland Neck

City of Wake Forest provided aid to:

• City of Lexington

• Lafayette Utilities System, LA

• SLEMCO, LA

• City of Statesville

• Town of Windsor

Wilson Energy provided aid to:

• Duke Energy

• Knoxville Utilties Board, TN

• City of Washington

ElectriCities Awards 2020

ElectriCities of NC: Business Facilities Top Utilities 2020

The drive toward renewables has shaped the selection process for our annual list of Editor’s Picks: Top Utilities, as we focus on the readiness of the leading U.S. power players to meet the needs of an evolving market that is rapidly embracing a clean energy future. Sustainability is the watchword, and here, without further ado, are our choices for the cream of the crop. Cover image provided by ElectriCities of NC. Photo by Geoff Wood Photography.. Read the full article here.

2020 International Economic Development Council - Excellence in Economic Development Awards

• Gold, Magazine and Newsletter: Developments

• Bronze, General Purpose Print Promotion: Economic Development Flipbook

2020 APPA Public Power Communications Awards

• Award of Excellence, Video: "How I Got Into Energy, an Interview with Mark Todd"

• Award of Merit, Web and Social Media: Outage Communication Resources webpage

LogoLounge Book 12

• Sparky the Public Power Safety Squirrel logo