City's Electric Utility Recipient of Mutual Aid Commendation

Crews recognized for supporting electricity restoration during 2024 hurricanes

January 07, 2025

The City of Tallahassee Electric Utility has received a national commendation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for its support last fall of electric power restoration efforts in several Florida communities in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton. The storms brought rain surge, damaging winds, power outages and downed trees and utility poles, impacting millions of households and businesses.

Back-to-back in September and October 2024, crews deployed from Tallahassee to provide mutual aid assistance to the Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative and the Lakeland Electric Utility, among others. The crews worked roughly 16-hour days as they removed debris tangled within the electrical system, replaced damaged equipment and ultimately restored service to customers.

The City's Electric Utility participates in APPA's Mutual Aid Network, which coordinates with utilities and authorities during widespread power outages to help get resources where they are needed. Mutual aid is one way utilities help communities in times of need.

APPA President & CEO Scott Corwin said the Mutual Aid Commendation was established in 2018 to recognize public power utilities that have answered the call for assistance and aided another community in restoring power to its customers. "On behalf of the more than 2,000 public power utilities we represent, please accept my thanks."

"We are proud of the work and commitment of our Electric Utility team, and we are thankful for the recognition by APPA," City Manager Reese Goad said. "At the heart of our City's mission is a commitment to service, and as our neighboring cities prepared for impacts from the hurricanes, we sent resources to support them. This is what strong communities do - we join together and lift each other up."

The City of Tallahassee Electric Utility is the fourth largest municipal electric utility in the state and the 22nd largest of more than 2,000 in the United States. For more information on the City of Tallahassee Electric Utility and its commitment to mutual aid, visit Talgov.com or PublicPower.org/MutualAid.