Batavia Recognized For 'Exceptional Electric Reliability'

Press release from Batavia Chamber of Commerce:

BATAVIA, IL — The City of Batavia has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2023. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association, or 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.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the men and women in our Electric Utility who ensure that we keep the City of Batavia powered," said Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke.

The City of Batavia is in the top 25% of utilities for System Average Interruption Duration Index, or SAIDI. Batavia Public Works Director Gary Holm added the Batavia Electric Utility’s long-term goal is to achieve within the top 10% for reliability. "If we don’t have major weather events like we did in 2023, then there’s a good possibility we’ll achieve that milestone this year."

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. Other electric service utilities in Illinois receiving recognition are Geneva, Princeton Municipal Utilities, Rochelle Municipal Utilities, and Rock Falls Electric Department.

"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."

For information about the City of Batavia Electric Utility, visit bataviail.gov/electricpowerresourcesFor more information about the APPA, visit: publicpower.org/about

This press release was produced by Batavia Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.