KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 23, 2018 – The Florida Municipal Electric Association has presented Kissimmee Utility Authority with its “Restoring Communities Award” for the utility’s outstanding efforts to quickly and safely restore power to Florida communities in 2017.
The award is presented to FMEA member utilities to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric utilities in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. Utilities were honored based on restoration times, customer communications efforts and the level of mutual aid provided.
KUA came to the rescue – not once or twice but five times – to help customers of other electric utilities get their lights back on in the wake of severe weather in 2017.
KUA sent its power plant personnel to Key West to help restart generators which were knocked offline by Hurricane Irma. In addition, KUA line crews traveled to Tallahassee in January 2017 to help restore power after a severe storm and to Orlando, Lakeland and Puerto Rico to help respond to power outages caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“After severe weather strikes, getting the lights turned back on is one of the most important responsibilities we have as utilities,” said KUA president and general manager Jim Welsh. “This recognition is a great honor for us and acknowledges the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of our employees and their families.”
This is the second consecutive year KUA has been recognized with the award.
About FMEA
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.
Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility powering 74,000 customers in Osceola County, Fla.