App State’s New River Light and Power named Reliable Public Power Provider

NRLP staff and lineworkers pose with a linetruck in June 2025. Thanks to App State Communications for the photo

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) has earned a Platinum-level Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing reliable and safe electric service to the Boone community. 

The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity. NRLP joins more than 250 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation. 

This recognition builds on NRLP’s continued achievement through the RP3 program, with previous designations awarded every three-year cycle since 2012. 

Two NRLP lineworkers work to restore power after utility pole is broken in Boone.

“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor and a testament to the work these utilities are doing to follow industry best practices,” said Jeremy Ash, Chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and General Manager at Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kansas. “These designees have distinguished themselves as committed to pursuing excellence and perpetual improvement for the benefit of their communities.”

“We are incredibly proud to earn this distinguished designation at the Platinum level,” said Matthew Makdad, NRLP General Manager. “Our team works every day to deliver safe, reliable service to the Boone community, and it’s an honor to have that commitment recognized at the national level.”

Pictured from left: Jeremy Ash, Chair of the RP3 Review Panel, poses with NRLP General Manager, Matt Makdad, during the APPA Engineering & Operations Conference in March 2026. Photo courtesy of the APPA

NRLP maintains a 99.98% reliability rating, with customers experiencing fewer outages than the national average. When outages occur, restoration times are significantly shorter — averaging approximately 33 minutes compared to the national average of 139 minutes, excluding major events. 

In addition to the RP3 designation, NRLP was recently recognized with the 2025 APPA Safety Award of Excellence and Excellence in Reliability Award, further demonstrating the utility’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence and customer service.

About App State’s New River Light and Power

For 110 years, New River Light and Power (NRLP) — a nonprofit electric utility operated by Appalachian State University — has provided reliable power to residents of Western North Carolina. The utility currently serves approximately 9,000 residential and commercial customers in and around Boone, including the university. NRLP is dedicated to expanding access to higher education, contributing approximately $650,000 annually to the university’s general scholarship fund. Additionally, the utility awards NRLP scholarships to support graduating Watauga County high school seniors pursuing an App State education, as well as those interested in pursuing a career in linework. NRLP holds the American Public Power Association’s Reliable Public Power Provider and Smart Energy Provider designations, recognizing its commitment to safety, efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship. Learn more about App State’s New River Light and Power at https://nrlp.appstate.edu.

About the American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 21 years. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 55 million people in approximately 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.