CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Nov. 13, 2023) – The American Public Power Association (APPA) named EPB a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) for demonstrating a commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost and sustainable electric service. EPB earned SEP designation for the third time, achieving its highest score to date: 94 out of 100. 

EPB scored 100 points in two categories: Communication and Customer Education and Environmental and Sustainability. The SEP designation, which lasts for two years (December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2025), recognized 90 public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy resources programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and customer experience. 

“SEP-designated utilities have demonstrated their leadership in smart energy programs and services,” said Chair of APPA’s Energy Innovation Committee and Jamestown (N.Y.) Board of Public Utilities Energy and Gas Resources Manager Kris Sellstrom. “This designation celebrates utilities that are committed to serving their customers while taking the extra step to plan for the future. Communities served by utilities that have earned the SEP designation should be proud of their utility’s accomplishments.”

Sellstrom presented awards on November 13 in San Antonio, Texas, during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference.

“We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers, whether it’s providing reliable, efficient energy today or 10 years in the future,” said EPB President and CEO David Wade. “Being named again to SEP represents the ‘anything-is-possible’ attitude of all EPB team members to deliver high quality power service to our community.”

EPB provides power to approximately 180,000 residential and business accounts and offers services to help customers reduce usage and maximize savings through the expertise of EPB Energy Pros and other professionals. New opportunities from EPB and TVA, including residential rebates and commercial incentives, provide significant savings opportunities to homes and businesses of all sizes. Learn more at EPB.com.

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About the American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association 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.

About EPB

With the mission of “enhancing quality of life in our community,” EPB is a municipal utility that delivers world-class energy and connectivity services to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the surrounding area. In 2010, EPB completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all its customers as the basis for launching America’s first community-wide Gig speed internet. The company still operates the world’s fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig. EPB also utilizes Chattanooga’s fiber optic network as the communications backbone for the most advanced and highly automated power distribution system in the United States. In 2022, EPB continued its commitment to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge by establishing our nation’s first commercially available quantum network--EPB Quantum Network℠ powered by Qubitekk which aligns local job creation efforts with the national priority to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.

Since switching the lights on for its first electric customer in 1939, EPB has grown to serve a 600-square-mile service area with cutting-edge infrastructure that integrates power distribution and telecommunications. At the same time, EPB keeps customer benefit at the center of all its efforts, earning recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South for the last seven consecutive years based on customer satisfaction ratings. Learn more at epb.com.