Danville Utilities has earned a “Platinum” level designation as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®) from the American Public Power Association for providing customers with reliable and safe electric service.
The “Platinum” level is the second highest a public power entity can achieve. Danville Utilities has received the RP3 designation multiple times, but this year is the first time it has reached the “Platinum” level.
“I think over the last year or so, we’ve seen the vital importance of running a reliable and safe utility,” says Aaron Haderle, chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and manager of transmission and distribution operations at the Kissimmee Utility Authority in Kissimmee, Fla. “The utilities receiving the RP3 designation have proven that they are committed to running a top-notch public power utility by implementing industry best practices.”
The RP3 designation recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.
Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity.
Danville Utilities will retain the RP3 designation for three years. Of the 2,000 public power communities in the nation, Danville Utilities is one of only 275 utilities that hold the RP3 designation.
“We couldn’t be prouder to be honored with this designation,” said Jason Grey, director of Danville Utilities. “This is the culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people who really care about powering our community. But this designation is not a final destination. We are committed to continuing to look for ways to improve our operations and service to our customers.”
The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 15 years now. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 49 million people in 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.
Danville Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services in Danville and distributes electricity to approximately 42,000 customer locations in a 500-square-mile service territory covering Danville, the southern third of Pittsylvania County, and small portions of Henry and Halifax counties.