Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2023. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.
APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.
“It’s encouraging to see year after year that public power’s track record for providing highly reliable service is backed up by data,” said APPA Director of Research and Development Paul Zummo. “These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on. And these communities should be proud of their local power providers and appreciate the hard work that goes into earning this recognition.”
Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do.
“We are proud to receive this recognition. It is a testament to the hard work of all our staff to ensure that we keep Spencer powered,” said Steve Pick, general manager/CEO at Spencer Municipal Utilities.
SMU’s average duration of an electric interruption is 20.56 minutes compared to other utilities in the region which average 46.77 minutes. To improve reliability, in the last year SMU has expanded its underground electric system, which is now 97% underground. SMU follows an annual program for inspections, repairs and maintenance on our distribution system which also improves reliability.
SMU is a leading provider of cable, internet, and telephone service in the Spencer community and has been providing water since 1886 and electric services since 1901.
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