OMU has earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® Diamond designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service. This designation is the highest honor RP3 bestowed. Neil James, Manager of Distribution Operations at Santee Cooper, South Carolina and chair of the Association’s RP3 Review Panel, presented the designations on April 30 during the Association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held in Raleigh, N.C.
The RP3 designation, which lasts 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. OMU joins more than 240 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.
“This designation is about more than just reliability. It’s about operational excellence,” said James. “These utilities and their communities should be proud to represent the best of the best in the areas of reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.”
“This is a great honor,” said Kevin Frizzell, Interim General Manager for OMU. “We take a lot of pride in the work we do to power this community. We are very happy to get this recognition for our initiative and hard work.”
The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 13 years now. The Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 49 million people in 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. The Association advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.