WASHINGTON, DC, April 10, 2006 – Garland Power & Light (GP&L) has earned an American Public Power Association Electric Utility Safety Award for safe operating practices. With a zero lost time and zero medical treatment record in 2005, GP&L earned a first place award in the category for utilities with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.

William Gallagher, chair of the APPA Board of Directors, presented the award on April 10 during the association’s annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held in Sacramento, California.

"Public power utilities pride themselves on safe operations in all facets of the community’s electrical system," said Gallagher, general manager of Vermont Public Power Supply Authority. "Earning this award shows that your utility cares deeply for the safety of local residents and businesses, as well as utility workers."

More than 250 utilities entered the annual contest. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker hours and judged for the most incident-free records during 2005. 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 2005, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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

The safety contest has been held annually for the last 46 years. APPA is the national organization representing more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-and state-owned electric utilities.