Norwich — Among public power companies across the nation, Norwich Public Utilities is a straight-A student in the grading of its record on providing a reliable and safe electric service, according to the American Public Power Association.

Every three years, the association invites public utilities to apply for a designation as a Reliable Public Power Provider, called an RP3 designation. An 18-member panel rates each utility’s reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement.

NPU scored a 99 out of a possible top score of 100, earning the highest Diamond Level rating, Eric McDermott, NPU electric integrity manager, who coordinates NPU’s application, told the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners on Tuesday.

NPU has earned the Diamond Level rating each time the utility has applied for the RP3 designation since 2012, when current NPU General Manager Chris LaRose oversaw the application.

“Being recognized by the APPA is a very significant honor for NPU,” LaRose said, “but nothing is more important than knowing that we are meeting the needs of our customers every day of the year.”

McDermott said in judging electric service reliability, the review panel looks “beyond just keeping the lights on,” including storm response plans, labor agreements and data response. The safety review examines “the culture of safety from top management down to every employee.”

The workforce development review examines each utility's best practices, plans for improvement and individual development plans for employees. And the system improvement review looks at long-term planning and research and development to improve the company.

Only 265 of the more than 2,000 public power utilities in the United States receive the RP3 designation, and only about 100 achieve the Diamond Level, McDermott said.

“We are proud but never complacent,” LaRose said, “and will always work to improve our performance for the benefit of our customers and community.”

c.bessette@theday.com