WASHINGTON, DC, April 18, 2005 -- Garland Power & Light (GP&L) has earned the American Public Power Association’s 2004 Electric Utility Safety Award for safe operating practices. GP&L earned a Third Place award in the category for utilities with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure. Jan Schori, chair of the APPA Board of Directors, presented the award on April 18, during the association's annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference, held in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Safely operating your community’s electrical system ensures the safety of local residents and businesses as well as utility workers,” said Schori, general manager of Sacramento, California Municipal Utility District. "Winning this award shows that your utility not only talks the talk, but when it comes to safety, they walk the walk."

More than 200 utilities entered the annual contest. Entrants were placed in categories according to their size and judged for the most incident-free records during 2004. The incidence rate, used to judge contest entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2004, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"We're pleased to be recognized with this national award," said Jim Harder, Director of Electric Utilities. "GP&L is proud of its safety record and will continue to provide safe and reliable electric service in Garland."

The safety contest has been held annually for the last 45 years. APPA is the national organization representing more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community and state-owned electric utilities.