Eleven MRES member utilities and one associate recognized for reliable electric service to their communities

Eleven public power utilities that are members of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and one associate have earned national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2019. 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:

• ALP Utilities - Alexandria, Minn.
• Benson Municipal Utilities – Benson, Minn.
• Detroit Lakes Public Utilities – Detroit Lakes, Minn.
• Hutchinson Utilities Commission – Hutchinson, Minn.
• Jackson Municipal Utilities – Jackson, Minn.
• Luverne Municipal Utilities - Luverne, Minn.
• Marshall Municipal Utilities – Marshall, Minn.
• Ortonville Municipal Utilities – Ortonville, Minn.
• Wadena Utilities Department – Wadena, Minn.
• Watertown Municipal Utilities Department – Watertown, S.D.
• Willmar Municipal Utilities – Willmar, Minn.

MRES Associate Olivia, Minn., Public Utilities also was 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 2019 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 line workers 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.”

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For more information, contact Member Services and Communications Vice President Joni Livingston at Missouri River Energy Services, phone: 605-261-3637 or email: joni.livingston@mrenergy.com.