App State’s New River Light and Power earns Public Power Awards of Excellence

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) has earned recognition in multiple award categories this summer during the ElectriCities of North Carolina annual conference held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Public Power Awards of Excellence reflect the five strategic priorities of public power, including a focus on customer-centered innovation and providing superior, reliable power. Each year, ElectriCities honors utilities across the state whose efforts in support of these priorities stand out.

NRLP received the Public Power Awards of Excellence in all five categories, demonstrating exceptional achievement in:

• Future-focused, recognizing utilities with a future-focused mindset.
• Strengthen Public Power, celebrating utilities that build support for public power.
• Provide Superior Power, highlighting utilities that deliver reliable power.
• Customer-centered Innovation, recognizing public power providers that innovate and invest to serve their communities better.
• People, distinguishing utilities that leverage their people as their greatest asset.

“NRLP is proud to be recognized as a leader in public power,” said Matthew Makdad, NRLP general manager. “Being a public power community means our customers are served at a superior level of commitment by their friends, family members and neighbors. These awards are a testament to the continued dedication and hard work of our staff and lineworkers.”

NRLP has been a recipient of the Public Power Awards of Excellence since its inception in 2018.

“Receiving a Public Power Award of Excellence validates the hard work of outstanding people in your community who are dedicated to providing the superior service required to keep your community powered,” said Andy Fusco, Chief Strategy Officer at ElectriCities.

ElectriCities is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia — collectively known as public power.

“At ElectriCities, we are honored to celebrate this year’s Public Power Awards of Excellence recipients, alongside the customers and communities that benefit from their expertise,” said Fusco.

In addition to the ElectriCities Public Power Awards of Excellence, NRLP has received numerous organizational and individual accolades, including the American Public Power Association Smart Energy Provider Award, Excellence in Reliability Award, Safety Awards of Excellence, RP3 designation, and the 2025 Robert E. Roundtree Rising Star Award, received by NRLP’s public communication specialist.

Nearly 1.6 million people in more than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina get their electricity from public power providers. NRLP is honored to be among them and has proudly served the High Country since 1915.

To learn more about NRLP, visit nrlp.appstate.edu.

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 ElectriCities of North Carolina

ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power. ElectriCities manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical services to assist members in operating their electric distribution systems. ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise. 

Visit www.electricities.com to learn more about the benefits of public power and how ElectriCities helps communities keep the lights on through access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy.