Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®) Diamond Level designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.

The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. ED3 joins more than 245 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.

“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor signifying a utility has demonstrated commitment to industry best practices,” said Troy Adams, chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and general manager at Manitowoc Public Utilities in Wisconsin. “Ultimately, the culture developed from this pursuit of excellence and continued improvement through the RP3 program results in measurable value delivered to the local community.”

The American Public Power Association recognizes four leading practices as indicators of a Reliable Public Power Provider: reliability, safety, workforce development and system development. These pillars are the framework of the RP3 program. ED3 is proud to be recognized as an RP3 and will work to maintain and improve the organizational standards that gained the RP3 designation.

Established in 1926, ED3 is adding 100 megawatts of renewable energy by its 100th anniversary year in 2026. ED3’s first utility-scale solar project, Box Canyon Solar near Florence, had its groundbreaking ceremony in November 2023, and is now under construction. The newest renewable project is under pre-construction activities and is known as the Apache Solar II project in Cochise County. The Apache Solar II project will result in ED3’s first addition of a battery energy storage system to its power supply portfolio. The project is tentatively scheduled to be online by winter 2025/2026. Both projects are in partnership with other public power and electrical cooperative utilities.

In addition to renewable energy innovations, ED3 is making traditional investments in the community, including a new substation in northwestern Maricopa near State Route 238 and the Moonlight subdivision development. The project has a preliminary estimate of $8.2 million.

With the development of several large housing projects across the northwestern portions of Maricopa, ED3 saw additional capacity would be needed to serve the new load. The existing substation serving the area is fully built out and provides up to 70 megawatts of power during normal operation. This is enough energy to serve about 11,000 homes in the summer, when our homes and businesses demand the most power. The additional substation is needed in northwestern Maricopa to serve several housing and commercial developments either under development or proposed in the future.

ED3 recognizes reliable utilities need to make investments in energy efficiency and continues to promote offerings under the Commitment to Community program. New rebates for 2024 include qualifying air duct repairs, home insulation rebates and rebates for Energy Star Certified appliances like washers and dryers. Electric vehicle chargers, heat pump water heaters, HVAC replacement, induction cooktop and stoves, shade trees, solar shade screens and smart thermostats are some of the other offerings eligible for rebates through ED3.

With the summer heat approaching, ED3 emphasizes the potential benefits of smart thermostats. Smart thermostats are a tool to control your home’s utilities while you are away. You can minimize and track energy costs in the palm of your hand even when your home is not accessible to you. Utilize valuable data created by the smart thermostat to analyze your utility usage and discover ways to conserve energy and costs. Qualifying smart thermostat brands include Google Nest, Honeywell and Ecobee.

ED3 offers up to a $50 rebate on qualifying smart thermostats for up to two thermostats per household. Smart thermostats could produce much larger savings. Rebate applications and terms and conditions are available online. Visit the ED3 website at ED3Online.org to learn more about rebates and ways to save on your energy utilities.

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