Shown front left to right with the award are Jackie P, Matt K., Sylvia R., (Back) Adam B., Al S., Jim C.

Bryan Municipal Utilities (BMU) has earned Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) in recognition of the municipal utility providing reliable and safe electric service to local residents, businesses, industries and institutions.

APPA recognized RP3 recipients on April 1 during the Association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado. APPA is the national trade association of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities across the country.

RP3 designation, which is valid for three years, 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. BMU joins more than 270 public power utilities nationwide that have achieved RP3 designation.

“Receiving RP3 designation is a great honor. It demonstrates that a utility strives not only to provide exceptional service but that it is constantly seeking to improve,” said Aaron Haderle, Manager of Transmission and Distribution Operations at Kissimmee (Florida) Utility Authority and APPA’s RP3 Review Panel chair. “Aside from reliability, RP3 designated utilities have shown commitment to system improvement, safety, and developing a strong and sustainable workforce.”

“Electric, water and communications services provided in a safe and reliable manner is of critical importance to our local consumers,” said BMU Director of Utilities Kevin Maynard. “RP3 designation is a testament to the combined efforts of the Bryan Board of Public Affairs and BMU staff. We take a lot of pride in the work we do for our community.”

BMU first received Gold Level RP3 designation in 2006. This year, for the first time, BMU achieved Diamond Level status—APPA’s highest RP3 designation level.

“Our staff were determined to not only maintain BMU’s RP3 designation, but to achieve Diamond level certification,” Maynard said. “It’s great to be recognized as being among the ‘best of the best’ on a national level.”