JEA Receives National Community Service Award

2024-06-11

JACKSONVILLE -- The American Public Power Association (APPA) today awarded its Sue Kelly Community Service Award to JEA during the association’s annual conference in San Diego, Calif. The national award recognizes JEA for corporate “good neighbor” activities that demonstrate the commitment of the utility and its employees to their community.

“I’m proud of JEA and our more than 2,200 team members who are being honored this year as one of the country’s premier municipal utilities for community support and engagement,” JEA Interim CEO and Managing Director Vickie Cavey said. “We are dedicated to providing customers with safe, reliable utility services – and being a good neighbor. This award acknowledges that commitment.”

JEA employees provided more than 4,000 hours of community service in Northeast Florida in 2023. This is made possible, in part, by the utility providing employees with eight hours of paid leave each year for volunteering, which employees use to benefit Northeast Florida schools and nonprofit organizations. Employees also share information about conservation, safety, and sustainability at various events throughout Jacksonville.

Other initiatives that APPA acknowledged in recognizing JEA for this year’s award include:

• JEA partnerships with schools to educate students about the utility industry and introduce them to the potential career opportunities.
• The utility’s Power Pals and Aqua Pals programs, offering an electric and water safety curriculum for first- and second-graders.
• In 2023, JEA committed to a five-year financial commitment for establishing the JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab as part of the University of North Florida College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, which will help develop a workforce to meet the region’s energy and water needs.
• Since 1987, JEA’s Neighbor to Neighbor Fund has provided more than 550 families with financial assistance annually.

About JEA

JEA is a not-for-profit, community-owned utility that provides safe, reliable and affordable services to more than one million residents across four Northeast Florida counties. JEA is not owned by investors. It was created by the City of Jacksonville to meet the electricity and water needs of those who live in Jacksonville and surrounding communities. JEA’s 2,200-plus workforce is dedicated to ensuring the demands of its customers are met, both today and for generations to come, while protecting our precious natural resources and supporting our region’s growth and economic development.

About American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. We represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 96,000 people they employ. Our association advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Our members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power.

Media Contact

Karen McAllister, JEA Media Relations
media@jea.com
(904) 665-5500

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• education