Blue Ridge Members Recognized for Reliable Electric Service to their Communities

April 17, 2023 – The Town of Front Royal and the Cities of Martinsville and Salem have received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2022. 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 The Town of 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 lineworkers and electric department staff for their hard work day in and day out. It’s because of them we’ve earned this recognition.”