MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Santee Cooper has earned a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association for demonstrating commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation and environmental initiatives that support a goal of providing low-cost, quality, safe and reliable electric service.
Chris Van Dokkumburg, Planning Analyst at Holland Board of Public Works and Chair of the Energy Services Committee in Michigan, presented the designations on Oct. 29 during the Association’s annual Customer Connections Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The SEP designation, which lasts for two years (Dec. 1, 2019 to Nov. 30, 2021) recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and the customer experience. This is the first year the Association has offered the SEP designation. Santee Cooper joins more than 60 public power utilities nationwide that received the inaugural SEP designation.
“This designation highlights utilities that are really stepping up to deliver their customers top-notch programs and services,” said Van Dokkumburg. “These utilities are going beyond ‘keeping the lights on,’ and their communities should be proud.”
“We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to support our community’s responsible energy use,” said Mike Poston, vice president of retail operations at Santee Cooper. “We met our Reduce The Use goal two years early, saving customers 209 gigawatt hours a year. It’s encouraging to be recognized as a best-of-breed utility when it comes to smart energy.”
Santee Cooper’s Reduce The Use programs helped close to 75,000 of its 185,000 residential and commercial direct-service customers save energy and money. The 2018 annual energy savings is enough to power the needs of more than 16,500 average residential customers. Even better, these programs saved customers more than $250 million since their launch in 2008.
Through Reduce The Use, Santee Cooper offers customers rebates for a variety of energy efficiency improvements, from smart thermostats for their homes to lighting controls for their businesses. It also offers the Smart Energy Loan program, a low-interest loan that helps residential customers make upgrades such as high-efficiency electric heat pumps, duct replacements and heat pump water heaters.
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power provider, largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.
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. The Association advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.
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