As part of the awards program at the IMEA/IMUA/IPEA banquet on May 11, President & CEO Kevin Gaden named the municipalities of Mascoutah and Winnetka as the winners of this year’s System Achievement Awards.
The award is given to a utility system that, among other things, improves its energy distribution systems, demonstrates initiatives in customer service, commits its workers to a culture of safety, helps with community economic development efforts and exemplifies the precepts of the public power business model.
Mascoutah recently extended electric services to serve a new nine-megawatt Boeing facility and is finalizing plans to provide service to the new light rail facility coming down the Interstate 64 corridor. The city also extended its water and sewer service territories and built a new 138 kV interconnection. This new delivery point significantly increases system reliability.
Winnetka recently completed the addition of a second transformer at a 138 kV substation, re-conductored its 12 kV underground delivery feed, and has refurbished its power plant facility. There are more than 600 registered EVs within the Winnetka zip code. The city has installed five level two electric vehicle charging stations that are available for public use.
City Manager Rebecca Ahlvin and Electric Division Foreman Larry Linck accepted the award for Mascoutah. Brian Keys, the Village’s Director of Water & Electric, took home the honor for Winnetka along with Electric Plant Superintendent James Olson and Electrical Control Technician Samuel Carrasco.