Nineteen public power utilities that are members of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), and three associates, have earned national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2021. Certificates of Excellence in Reliability were awarded by the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade organization that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.
APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.
The following MRES members outperformed the electric industry national average for reliability:
- Atlantic Municipal Utilities – Atlantic, Iowa
- Orange City Municipal Utilities – Orange City, Iowa
- ALP Utilities – Alexandria, Minnesota
- City of Barnesville – Barnesville, Minnesota
- Benson Municipal Utilities – Benson, Minnesota
- Detroit Lakes Public Utilities – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
- Jackson Municipal Utilities – Jackson, Minnesota
- City of Ortonville – Ortonville, Minnesota
- Lakefield Public Utilities – Lakefield, Minnesota
- City of Luverne – Luverne, Minnesota
- Marshall Municipal Utilities – Marshall, Minnesota
- Melrose Public Utilities – Melrose, Minnesota
- Moorhead Public Service – Moorhead, Minnesota
- Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission – Sauk Centre, Minnesota
- Staples Water & Light – Staples, Minnesota
- Willmar Municipal Utilities – Willmar, Minnesota
- Worthington Public Utilities – Worthington, Minnesota
- Pierre Municipal Utilities – Pierre, South Dakota
- Watertown Municipal Utilities – Watertown, South Dakota
The following MRES associates also earned the Excellence in Reliability Award:
- Blue Earth Light & Water Dept. – Blue Earth, Minnesota
- City of Olivia – Olivia, Minnesota
- City of Litchfield – Litchfield, Minnesota
Electric reliability is measured using four different metrics. The 2021 results for these MRES member utilities were significantly better than those of other types of utilities in the region in every category.
“Customers place a high value on reliable electric service, and it’s also a top priority for MRES and every member,” 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 the lights stay on for all of their customers.”