14 MRES member utilities and 2 associates recognized for reliable electric service to their communities

Fourteen public power utilities that are members of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and two associates have earned national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2020. Certificates of Excellence in Reliability were awarded by the American Public Power Association (www.PublicPower.org), a trade organization that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.

The association helps member municipal utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service and then compares the data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

The following MRES member public power utilities outperformed the electric industry national average for reliability:

· Atlantic Municipal Utilities – Atlantic, Iowa

· ALP Utilities – Alexandria, Minnesota

· City of Barnesville – Barnesville, Minnesota

· Detroit Lakes Public Utilities – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

· Jackson Municipal Utilities – Jackson, Minnesota

· Luverne Municipal Utilities – Luverne, Minnesota

· Marshall Municipal Utilities – Marshall, Minnesota

· Melrose Public Utilities – Melrose, Minnesota

· Moorhead Public Service – Moorhead, Minnesota

· Pierre Municipal Utilities – Pierre, South Dakota

· Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission – Sauk Centre, Minnesota

· Wadena Light & Water Department – Wadena, Minnesota

· Watertown Municipal Utilities – Watertown, South Dakota

· Worthington Public Utilities – Worthington, Minnesota

MRES Associates Olivia Public Utilities and City of Litchfield, both located in Minnesota, also were awarded this national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability. MRES provides distribution maintenance services to the City of Olivia, which includes system maintenance and outage response.

Electric reliability is measured using four different metrics. The 2020 results for these MRES member utilities were significantly better than those of other types of utilities in the region in every category.

“This recognition demonstrates public power’s exceptional reliability,” said MRES President and CEO Tom Heller. “It is a testament to the hard work of lineworkers and utility staff in each of these communities to ensure that the lights stay on for all of their customers. Reliable electric service is a top priority for MRES and every member.”

For more information, contact MRES Member Services and Communications Vice President Joni Livingston at 605-261-3637 or joni.livingston@mrenergy.com.