Public power utilities across the U.S. have earned top marks from J.D. Power with respect to their brand appeal.
In July, JD Power released its 2026 U.S. Electric Utility Brand Appeal Index Study and the JD Power 2026 U.S. Gas Utility Brand Appeal Index Study. The electric utility brand appeal index study covers public power utilities, investor-owned utilities and cooperatives.
JD Power said that overall brand appeal is declining significantly, contributing to lower levels of customer satisfaction, reduced customer advocacy, lackluster usage of enhanced offerings (such as energy efficiency) and less support for capital improvement initiatives.
However, individual public power utilities across the country earned high scores for their brand appeal.
The following details the scores for public power utilities by region (Based on a 1,000-point scale).
Midwest
Omaha Public Power District (score: 712)
Lincoln Electric System (score: 700)
City Utilities of Springfield, Mo. (score: 662)
South
EPB (score: 748, first place)
OUC (score: 728)
Lakeland Electric (score: 705)
KUB (12th place, score: 702)
CPS Energy (score: 698)
City of Tallahassee, Fla. (score: 696)
Santee Cooper (score: 696)
JEA (score: 684)
Huntsville Utilities (score: 677)
NES (score: 677)
MLGW (score: 630)
West
Seattle City Light (score: 738, first place)
Clark Public Utilities (score: 737)
SRP (score: 733)
Snohomish County PUD (score: 719)
SMUD (score: 714)
Tacoma Power (score: 709)
Anaheim Public Utilities (score: 698)
Colorado Springs Utilities (score: 689)
LADWP (score: 687)
Imperial Irrigation District (score: 678)
Modesto Irrigation District (score: 675)
U.S. Gas Utility Brand Appeal Index
Public power utilities were also recognized in JD Power’s U.S, Gas Utility Brand Appeal Index.
In the South region, CPS Energy scored 711, while Memphis Light Gas and Water scored 637.
In the West, Colorado Springs Utilities scored 693.
