EPA Recognizes SMECO as 2012 Partner of the Year
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) with a 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information and services to its customers to increase energy efficiency. SMECO’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star.
SMECO, which has promoted Energy Star programs for more than 12 years, was honored for its work to increase market share of energy-efficient Energy Star qualified products, services, and homes through comprehensive outreach, education, and marketing programs.
Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from Energy Star.
“SMECO works in partnership with Energy Star to help our customers become more energy efficient,” said Jeff Shaw, SMECO’s environmental programs and energy conservation manager. “By using Energy Star certified appliances and compact fluorescent lights, or by purchasing a new Energy Star home, our customers can save energy and save money while helping to preserve the environment.”
The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery are given to a variety of organizations in recognition of their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from about 20,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.
J.D Power Also Recognizes SMECO
SMECO was also recognized at the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Roundtable in Orlando, Florida, on March 14 as a 2012 Customer Service Champion. SMECO was one of only 50 companies to have earned this distinction this year.
To qualify for inclusion on this elite list, companies must not only excel within their own industry, but also must stand out among leading brands in 20 major industries evaluated by J.D. Power. The five factors measured included People, Presentation, Process, Product, and Price.
To identify the 2012 Customer Service Champions, J.D. Power evaluated more than 800 brands. The 2012 Champions were identified based on customer feedback, opinions, and perceptions gathered primarily from J.D. Power and Associates syndicated research in 2011. This group of 50 represents the highest-performing U.S. companies that deliver service excellence, both within their respective industry and across all industries measured.
“We are honored to receive this distinction and to be included in this elite group of U.S. companies. We are committed to customer satisfaction, and receiving this recognition from J.D. Power is an external confirmation of our efforts,” commented Austin J. Slater, Jr., SMECO president and CEO. He added, “As a co-op, customer service is a key element of our corporate values, and our employees embody those values.”
In 2011, SMECO was recognized by J.D. Power for ranking highest for a fourth consecutive year in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study in the East region midsize utility segment. The study measures customer satisfaction with electric utility companies by examining six key factors: power quality and reliability; price; billing and payment; corporate citizenship; communications; and customer service.
Source: SMECO
