Cuyahoga Falls Electric System has been recognized as a reliable public power provider.
The Cuyahoga Falls Electric System has again earned the national distinction as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) from the American Public Power Association ( APPA ) for providing reliable and safe electric service to our community.
Of the more than 2,000 public power utilities that operate nation-wide, 278 hold the RP3 designation. In 2020, 57 utilities earned the prestigious Diamond RP3 status, including the Cuyahoga Falls Electric System.
This is the 4th time CFES has been recognized with Reliable Public Power (RP3) status since 2012, when Gold status was earned. CFES achieved the top-level Diamond designation in 2014, 2017, and 2020!
The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities demonstrating sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity while demonstrating proficiency in four key disciplines:
- Reliability: The reliability of an electric system goes beyond keeping the lights on. It also involves important steps like collecting and analyzing reliability data, having a mutual aid agreement, and committing to cyber and physical security.
- Safety: Industry leaders aim to create a culture of safety at each utility, ensuring safe standards for employees and customers. Commitment to safety must begin with top management, adherence to a thorough safety manual, and should be included in all aspects of operations from generation to line work.
- Workforce development: Dedicated employees are the key to a great utility. Offering professional development and networking opportunities helps show employees that they are valued, while succession planning and recruitment efforts ensure continuity in a changing workforce.
- System improvement: Utilities maintain the integrity of their systems and promote long-term planning by keeping an eye on the future through research and development and a commitment to system betterment programs, which can help utilities provide reliable services in the future.
This is not a “rubberstamp program.” Designees complete a demanding application which is completed over the course of several months. RP3 status is achieved by a review of an 18-member panel of national public power experts.
RP3 status levels are as follows:
Diamond: 98 - 100% of the program criteria
Platinum: 90 - <98% of the program criteria
Gold: 80% - <90% of the program criteria
“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor and demonstrates a utility’s commitment to implementing industry best practices in utility operations,” says Aaron Haderle, Chair of the Association’s RP3 Review Panel and Manager of Transmission and Distribution Operations at Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida. “RP3 utilities are consistently looking to improve their workforce, system reliability, and safety to serve their communities better.”
“This is a great honor,” said Michael Dougherty, Electric Superintendent of the Cuyahoga Falls Electric System. “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 15 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.