SRP Selected 2004 'Utility of the Year'
Salt River Project was named "Utility of the Year" by Electric Light & Power, one of the electric utility industry's oldest and most reputable publications, according to the magazine's November/December 2004 edition.
According to EL&P, the choice of SRP "is a bit of a departure" from the investor-owned utilities that traditionally receive the magazine's annual award. Its previous five "Utility of the Year" selections were Atlanta-based Southern Company (2003), New York-based Consolidated Edison (2002), Bellevue, Wash.-based Puget Sound Energy (2001), Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy (2000) and Philadelphia-based PECO Energy (1999).
"Each year, the EL&P staff chooses one utility that we feel stands out as exemplary in our industry," the article stated. "In the past decade, we have chosen utilities that have weathered hard times well and utilities which have seemed completely untouched by industry tsunamis.
"This year, we were struck by more than financial numbers and MWh (megawatt hours). We were struck by one utility's ability to remain on top with the customer—something that is often difficult in this industry, as the customer is unaware of the complications and layers involved in the ease of a flipped switch quickly illuminating a room.
"Salt River Project's consistent and often cutting-edge use of new technologies, generous donation program and incredible community relations work all factored into their selection as 2004's 'Utility of the Year,' but it was that overwhelming attention to customer service that clinched the deal."
President William Schrader has served on SRP's boards since 1964. Schrader said SRP's ability to keep pace with the tremendous growth of the Phoenix area while maintaining award-winning customer service and keeping retail electric prices among the lowest in the Southwest are among SRP's proudest accomplishments.
"There's nothing quite like hearing from your customers that they appreciate what we're doing," said Schrader. "A lot of that, I believe, has to do with our belief that SRP is about enhancing customer satisfaction, not just about issuing bills and answering phones. We believe that the most important thing is to listen to your customers."
Tulsa-based Electric Light & Power, a Pennwell Publication, began publishing in 1922 and is one of the oldest magazines serving the electric utility industry.
