Harrisonburg Electric Commission Recognized for Reliable Electric Service — Receives Gold Rating from APPA

Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC) has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2022 and a gold rating for our commitment to providing safe and reliable electric service. Both recognitions come from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.

“These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on. And these communities should be proud of their local power providers and appreciate the hard work that goes into earning this recognition,” said APPA Director of Research and Development Paul Zummo.

Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do. HEC ranked in the top quartile (25%) of public power utilities in reliability.

The gold designation is part of APPA’s Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) program, which recognizes utilities that demonstrate high proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Utilities earn points for their practices and accomplishments in each of the four disciplines, which is intended to represent a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity.

“I’m proud of our entire staff and crew for their commitment to providing safe and reliable service to our customers,” HEC General Manager, Brian O’Dell, said. “We’ve always worked to put our community first, so it’s an honor to be recognized for our work.”

Being recognized by the RP3 program demonstrates a utility’s commitment to its employees, customers, and community. Currently, 275 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities hold an RP3 designation, which has been awarded to qualifying public power utilities for 13 years.