American Public Power Association
| File:Appalogo.svg | |
| Company type | Trade association |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power industry |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Scott Corwin, CEO and President |
| Website | publicpower.org |
The American Public Power Association (APPA) functions as the representative organization for nearly 2,000 community-owned electric utilities across the United States, collectively serving more than 50 million customers.
Established in September 1940, APPA champions the public policy priorities of its members while providing essential services that promote dependable, cost-effective electricity alongside environmental stewardship.
Its regular membership encompasses U.S. public power utilities, joint action agencies, rural electric cooperatives, Canadian municipal and provincial utilities, public power entities within U.S. territories, as well as affiliated state and local associations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Prominent members include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, New York Power Authority, Long Island Power Authority, Salt River Project (Arizona), Sacramento Municipal Utility District, JEA (Florida), and Seattle City Light.
Additionally, APPA extends associate memberships to organizations aiming to collaborate with public power providers and municipalities exploring the establishment of public power systems.
Activities
- In Washington, D.C., APPA advocates on behalf of public power interests by engaging in legislative, regulatory, and legal arenas. It actively lobbies for its members while tracking federal policy developments. The Legislative & Resolutions Committee, supported by various task forces and working groups, assists members in reaching consensus. The annual Legislative Rally facilitates dialogue between utility leaders and policymakers to advance public power objectives.
- APPA helps utilities incorporate emerging technologies and improve aspects such as customer service, system reliability, safety protocols, cybersecurity measures, and emergency preparedness. Initiatives include tools like the eReliability Tracker, the APPA Safety Manual, and the Reliable Public Power Provider certification program.
- Industry news and analysis are provided through the Public Power magazine and the Public Power Current newsletter. The association's website supplies a broad array of resources tailored to diverse stakeholders, complemented by specialized reports, surveys, publications, and online professional forums spanning various utility sectors.
- Networking and skill development are fostered through events like the annual National Conference—the largest gathering dedicated to public power—as well as other meetings concentrating on finance, engineering, legal matters, community broadband initiatives, and customer service strategies. APPA also offers focused training sessions and continuing education materials.
- The Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments (DEED) program grants funding to member utilities and students for projects that investigate scalable energy efficiency technologies relevant to public power operations.
- During the National Conference, APPA recognizes outstanding executives, policymakers, and utilities making significant contributions to public power. Throughout the year, additional awards honor accomplishments in safety performance, system reliability, reporting excellence, lineworker expertise, educational efforts, and advancements in energy innovation.