Austin Utilities (AU) has earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.

The utility received the Diamond level award for a score of 98-100 percent based on meeting program criteria. This is the first time the utility has applied for the award. It was presented on April 1 during the Association’s annual Engineering and Operations Technical Conference held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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. Austin Utilities joins more than 275 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.

“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor. It demonstrates that a utility strives for a high level of service and is constantly looking to improve,” said Mark Nibaur, general manager of Austin Utilities. “We take a lot of pride in the work we do to power our community. It’s nice to be recognized as among the ‘best of the best’ on a national level.”

The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 14 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.