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 254 of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities hold an RP3 designation.
As of 2025, ElectriCities of North Carolina has 29 members with RP3 designations—a testament to our commitment to providing safe, reliable power!
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 254 of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities hold an RP3 designation.
As of 2025, ElectriCities of North Carolina has 29 members with RP3 designations—a testament to our commitment to providing safe, 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 2025
Member Awards 2025
2025 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Diamond Level
• City of New Bern, N.C.
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission (N.C.)
2025 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Platinum Level
• City of Concord, N.C.
• City of Lexington, N.C.
• Danville Utilities (Va.)
• Town of Front Royal (Va.)
2025 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Gold Level
• Town of Clayton, N.C.
2024 APPA Certificate of Excellence in Reliability
• Bamberg Board of Public Works (S.C.)
• City of Albemarle, N.C.
• City of Elizabeth City, N.C.
• City of Kinston, N.C.
• City of Lumberton, N.C.
• City of Monroe, N.C.
• City of Newberry, S.C.
• City of Rocky Mount, N.C.
• Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.)
• Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.)
• Martinsville Electric Department (Va.)
• New River Light & Power (N.C.)
• Town of Apex, N.C.
• Town of Clayton, N.C.
• Town of Cornelius, N.C.
• Town of Front Royal, Va.
• Town of Granite Falls, N.C.
• Town of Tarboro, N.C.
• Town of Wake Forest, N.C.
2024 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence
• City of Shelby, N.C.: Diamond in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Laurens Commission of Public Works (S.C.): Diamond in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Lexington Utilities (N.C.): Diamond in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Town of Front Royal (Va.): Diamond in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Wake Forest Power (N.C.): Diamond in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• New River Light & Power (N.C.): Platinum in Group C (systems with 30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Concord (N.C.): Diamond in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Gastonia, N.C.: Diamond in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Rocky Mount, N.C.: Diamond in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Statesville Public Power (N.C.): Diamond in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of New Bern, N.C.: Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Rock Hill, S.C.: Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Wilson Energy (N.C.): Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission (N.C.): Diamond in Group F (systems with 250,000 - 999,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.): Diamond in Group F (systems with 250,000 - 999,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Member Awards 2024
Member Awards 2024
2024 Smart Energy Provider Designees
• City of New Bern, N.C.
• Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.)
• New River Light & Power (N.C.)
2024 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Diamond Level
• Town of Granite Falls, N.C.
• High Point Electrical Utility (N.C.)
2024 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Platinum Level
• Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.)
• City of Kinston, N.C.
• Town of Smithfield, N.C.
• Wake Forest Power (N.C.)
2024 Reliable Public Power Provider Designees
Gold Level
• City of Gastonia, N.C.
• City of Shelby, N.C.
• Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities (S.C.)
• Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.)
2023 APPA Certificate of Excellence in Reliability
• City of Albemarle, N.C.
• City of Gastonia, N.C.
• City of Laurinburg, N.C.
• City of Lumberton, N.C.
• City of Monroe, N.C.
• City of Newberry, S.C.
• City of Newton, N.C.
• Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works (S.C.)
• Martinsville Electric Department (Va.)
• New River Light & Power (N.C.)
• North Carolina State University (N.C.)
• Seneca Light & Water (S.C.)
• Town of Apex, N.C.
• Town of Clayton, N.C.
• Town of Cornelius, N.C.
• Town of Front Royal, Va.
• Town of Huntersville, N.C.
• Town of Landis, N.C.
• Town of Louisburg, N.C.
• Town of Maiden, N.C.
• Town of Pineville, N.C.
• Town of Tarboro, N.C.
• Town of Wake Forest, N.C.
• Wilson Energy (N.C.)
2023 APPA Safety Awards of Excellence
• City of Shelby, N.C. : Gold in Group B (systems with 15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Wake Forest Power (N.C.) : Gold in Group C (systems with 30.000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Gastonia, N.C. : Diamond in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Rock Hill, S.C. : Gold in Group D (systems with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Concord, N.C. : Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of New Bern, N.C. : Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Wilson Energy (N.C.) : Diamond in Group E (systems with 110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission (N.C.) : Diamond in Group F (systems with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Greenville Utilities Commission (N.C.) : Gold in Group F (systems with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of exposure)
Member Awards 2023
Member Awards 2023
2023 Smart Energy Provider Designees
• Fayetteville Public Works Commission (N.C.)
• Wilson Energy (N.C.)
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
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 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.