About APPA

Powering Strong Communities

The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power approximately 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. We represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 55 million people that public power utilities serve across the United States and its territories. We advise on electricity policy, grid technology and operations, and workforce development in support of safe, modern, and resilient utilities.

Our Vision

Affordable and reliable power for all.

Our Purpose

Empower community-owned utilities to deliver superior services through advocacy, education, and technical programs.

What We Do

Since 1940, APPA has stood up for the rights of the people to choose not-for-profit public power in their communities. It has supported hundreds of communities in preserving local, public ownership of their electric utilities.

APPA:

• Advocates for public power. We represent public power’s interests before Congress, the White House, administrative agencies and regulatory bodies, and courts. Our members determine the association’s policy priorities and positions.
• Connects the industry. We foster networking and collaboration among utility staff, policymakers, and supporters nationwide and empower members to work together on common issues and challenges.
• Educates public power professionals. We help electric industry employees keep up with rapidly evolving technologies, regulations, and customer needs by hosting conferences, webinars, special events, and in-house training.
• Supports operational excellence. We provide programs and resources to help utilities adopt new technologies and improve customer service, reliability, safety, physical and cybersecurity, and disaster preparation efforts.
• Advances research and development. Our Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Developments (DEED) research and development program offers scholarships and project grants to help members innovate and develop a robust future workforce.
• Coordinates disaster recovery. We manage a mutual aid program to facilitate restoration work among public power utilities following storms and other disasters.
• Keeps the industry informed. We provide news and analysis of the latest trends, best practices, and technologies as well as member accomplishments with a range of digital content.
• Promotes public power. We offer tools and resources to help members talk about public power with their customers and disseminate information about public power utilities to the general public.

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