For Immediate Release: March 23, 2021

SMUD recognized as a reliable public power provider

Sacramento, Calif., — SMUD has earned the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®) designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service. 

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

“I think over the last year or so, we’ve seen the vital importance of running a reliable and safe utility,” said Aaron Haderle, Chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and Manager of Transmission and Distribution Operations at Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida. “The utilities receiving the RP3 designation have proven that they are committed to running a top-notch public power utility by implementing industry best practices.” 

We are so proud to be honored with this designation,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “This is the culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people who really care about powering our community in a safe, reliable and affordable way.”

This is the seventh time SMUD has earned the RP3 designation and this year, SMUD scored a “Diamond Level” score. In 2018, SMUD also reached Diamond Level.

About SMUD

As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for nearly 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit smud.org.

About the American Public Power Association

APPA has offered the RP3 designation for 15 years now. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 49 million people in 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.