WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing reliable and safe electric service. David Lynch, Assistant Director of Utility Operations at Marquette Board of Light and Power, Michigan and chair of the Association’s RP3 Review Panel, presented the designations May 8 during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held in San Antonio.

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. BPUB joins more than 220 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.

“Utilities that have earned an RP3 designation demonstrate public power’s emphasis on achieving leading practices and providing a high level of service to communities,” said Lynch. “We are proud to welcome all utilities earning this recognition for the first time and to those renewing their designations.”

“We’re honored to be recognized as a Reliable Public Power Provider,” said BPUB General Manager & CEO John S. Bruciak. “Our staff works hard to provide reliable service and RP3 recognizes our commitment to serving the community.”

The APPA has offered the RP3 designation for 12 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.

BPUB provides electrical service to more than 47,000 customers in the Brownsville area. BPUB has a diverse electric system that includes three power plants, one wind farm, 14 substations and more than 730 miles of line to distribute power. Along with that, BPUB continues to plan for Brownsville’s growth and electric demands.

This is the first time that BPUB has been awarded with a diamond RP3 designation. BPUB received a gold designation in 2014.