Blue Ridge Members Recognized for Reliable Electric Service to their Communities.

April 9, 2024 — The Town of Front Royal and the Cities of Martinsville and Salem have 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 Front Royal powered,” said Carey Saffelle, Director of Energy Services

“Receiving this honor for the way we assist the citizens and businesses in the City of Salem is always very gratifying,” says A.K. Briele, Salem Electric Department Director. “Despite some tough circumstances due to the weather and other factors beyond our control, our staff members continue to get the job done and I am thrilled to accept this recognition on their behalf.”

Durwin Joyce, Electric Director of Martinsville, noted, “I want to thank our line workers and electric department staff for their hard workday in and day out. It’s because of them we’ve earned this recognition.” 

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Board Members Tour Southside Virginia Community College Program

Left to Right: A.K. Briele (Salem), John Wagner (Bedford), Alice Wolfe (BRPA), Durwin Joyce (Martinsville), Randy Asberry (Salem), Carey Saffelle (Front Royal) and Dawn Ardery (BRPA). Not pictured were Jeff Ahearn and Troy Hall (Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative).

February 29, 2024 – The Blue Ridge Board of Directors was pleased to visit the SVCC Occupational/Technical Center in early March. After our Board meeting, we toured the center and had the opportunity to talk with students in the Power Line Worker Training Class. It was a pleasure to see so many students working hard to learn the skills to keep the lights on. We look forward to seeing these same students become line workers in the BRPA member communities.

To learn more about the SVCC Power Line Worker Training program, click here.