Committed to Reliable Public Power

Multi Department Photo RP3 v1

Benefits of Public Power:

  • Local Control: Decisions are made by and for the community, ensuring that GEUS is accountable to its customers. GEUS Board of Trustees is made up of local residents.
  • Affordable Rates: As a not-for-profit entity, public power utilities typically offer lower rates than investor-owned utilities. 
  • Reliable Service: Public power utilities consistently deliver dependable electric service, even during extreme weather conditions.                                             *See national recognitions below.
  • Customer-Focused: GEUS prioritizes local customer service, including convenient local offices and local support.

Awards and Recognition


Nationally Recognized by the American Public Power Association (APPA)

  • Certificate of Excellence in Reliability
    • Awarded in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
    • Honors utilities that consistently deliver reliable electric service above the national average, including major weather events.
    • Click here for program details.
  • Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) Designation 
    • Awarded Gold Level Designation in 2019-2022, Platinum Level Designation in 2022-2025, and Gold Level Designation in 2025-2028. 
      • This prestigious designation is awarded for three years, requiring utilities to reapply to maintain their status.
    • Recognition is based on industry-recognized leading practices in four important disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. An RP3 designation signifies dedication to operating an efficient, safe, and reliable distribution system. Being recognized by the RP3 program demonstrates to community leaders, governing board members, suppliers, and service providers GEUS' commitment to its employees, customers, and community. Currently, only 254 of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities hold an RP3 designation.
    • Click here for program details.
  • Safety Awards of Excellence 
    • Awarded Honorable Mention in 2022. Achieving the highest level recognition Diamond Certificate in 2023 and 2024. 
    • Recognition for prioritizing safety in day-to-day operations. The safety awards of excellence are given annually every year. Designations are based on incident rates and responses reflecting the effectiveness of GEUS' safety programs. 
    • Click here for program details.
  • Excellence in Public Power Communications 
    • Award of Merit 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
    • Recognition for excellence in raising awareness of public power and telling the public power story.
    • Click here for program details.
  • Mutual Aid Commendation
    • Awarded in June 2021 for assisting Garland Power and Light after a major storm.
    • Recognizes utilities that have answered the call for assistance and aided another utility in restoring power to its customers.
    • Click here for program details.

Nationally Recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

  •  Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA)
    • Awarded in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
    • Recognition for excellence in annual comprehensive financial reports with transparency and full disclosure.
    • Click here for program details.
  • Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 
    • Awarded in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
    • Recognition for excellence and transparency in budget reporting.
    • Click here for program details.

GEUS remains dedicated to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the highest safety, reliability, and transparency standards for the Greenville community.

What Does Public Power Mean?

Public Power means your utility is community-owned and not-for-profit.

Greenville became the first municipally owned, public electric utility in Texas in 1891 when privately owned companies were only interested in servicing large cities such as Dallas and Ft. Worth. Greenville Citizens took destiny into their own hands and began producing their own power. Today, more than 130 years later, GEUS continues to provide this vital service to our community.

Municipally owned, public power utilities only answer to their customers. Decisions are made locally by citizens of the community. Because public power utilities are owned by their communities and are not motivated by profits, rates are typically lower than investor-owned utilities, and reliability is higher. Public power utilities value providing local customer service, such as local offices with pay centers.

Public Power has a long history nationwide of supplying electricity to communities when investor-owned utilities wouldn’t or couldn’t provide this crucial service. The nation’s 2000+ community-owned utilities currently supply power to 49 million people in 49 states and 5 U.S territories. The communities range in size from being very small to the largest public power system which is owned by the citizens of Los Angeles, California. San Antonio is the 2nd largest city in the U.S. receiving public power.

GEUS is proud to be your local public power utility.

Public Power Gives Back

  •  GEUS provides a GFT (general fund transfer) to the City which supports the City of Greenville Economic Development Board with 1% of adjusted gross revenues, and transfers an additional 5% of adjusted gross revenues to the City annually.
  •  GEUS employs local people who are invested in our community.
  •  GEUS is committed to the economic development of our community and bringing new businesses to the community.
GEUS Future Power Portfolio
Customer Public Power Handout

Additional Information

Visit these links for additional information about Public Power

American Public Power Association (APPA) Stats and Facts about Public Power

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