Oconomowoc Utilities receives 2 national awards

Utility Honored with National Award for Reliable Electric Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2007— Oconomowoc Utilities is one of 48 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn Reliable Public Power ProviderTM (RP3) recognition from the American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. John Twitty, general manager of City Utilities of Springfield, Mo., and chair of the APPA Board of Directors, presented the designees on April 16, during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference, held in Atlanta, Ga.

“The RP3 designation represents a concerted effort on the utility’s behalf to exemplify the highest standards of utility operations,” said Paul Allen, vice president, engineering at Nashville, Tenn., Electric Service and chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel, “The utility and the community should be very proud of this achievement.”

The RP3 recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, training and system improvement. Criteria within each category are based on sound business practices and represent a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a national RP3 designee,” said Dennis Bednarski, Operations Manager of Oconomowoc Utilities. “We look forward to continuing to find ways to improve our operations and service to the community. As a community; we need to thank our devoted utility staff, KPE Engineering, our Mayor and the Common Council, who has given us the opportunity to succeed.”

This is the second year that the RP3 award has been offered. APPA is the national organization representing more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community- and state- owned electric utilities. It is located in Washington, D.C.

Utility Honored with National Award for Outstanding Safety Practices

Washington, D.C. April 16, 2007- Oconomowoc Utilities has earned the American Public Power Association’s Electric Utility Safety Award for safe operating practices in 2006. The utility earned a second place award in the category for utilities with over 28,000 worker-hours of annual worker exposure. John Twitty, chair of the APPA Board of Directors, presented the award on April 16, during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical conference, held in Atlanta, Ga.

“Implementing safe utility practices requires the commitment and hard work of the entire utility, “said Twitty, general manager of City Utilities of Springfield, Mo. “This collaborative effort to ensure the safety of employees is well demonstrated by these recognized utilities.”

More than 275 utilities entered the annual contest. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker hours and judged for the most incident-free records during 2006. The incidence rate, used to judge contest entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2006, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“We’re very proud of our safety record, and our employee’s attitude around safe work practices. Our safety record is a reflection of trained and skilled employee who are committed to the highest standards of public service. We cannot rest on our past success, our team will continue to work our safety programs along with the City safety council headed by Tom Steinbach.” said Dennis Bednarski General Manager of Oconomowoc Utilities. “Oconomowoc Utilities will work to continue providing the community with safety and reliable electric service.”

The safety contest has been held annually for the last 47 years. APPA is the national organization representing more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community- and state- owned electric utilities.