Empire District named finalist for Edison Award

JOPLIN, Mo. — In recognition of its distinguished leadership, innovation and progress in advancing the electric power industry, Empire District Electric Company was named as one of eight U.S. finalists for the Edison Electric Institute’s 2016 Edison Award, the electric power industry’s most prestigious honor.

The project selected for this honor is the Empire Pole Innovative Construction Platform. This platform incorporates an entirely new pole and transmission structure design, as well as a construction and implementation process.

Based on the success Empire has with the platform, if adopted by companies industry-wide, this new design could significantly reduce costs and increase efficiency across the country.

“In addition to reducing costs and increasing efficiency,” said John Donaldson, director of system performance, “this platform also reduces lengthy outages because struc- ture bases can be installed under energized lines.”

According to EEI president, Tom Kuhn, the electric utility industry is in the midst of a profound transformation.

“This year’s Edison Award finalists demonstrate that innovative and ground-breaking projects are underway across the electric power industry,” he said. “These companies are delivering the energy future that customers want by building smarter energy infrastructure, providing clean energy and creating innovative energy solutions.”

The 89th annual Edison Award will be presented this month during the EEI Annual Convention in Chicago. A panel of former electric company chief executives will select the winning U.S. and international companies. Other finalists for this year’s U.S. Edison Award include American Electric Power, Arizona Public Service Company, Edison International, Green Mountain Power, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, Vermont Electric Power Company and Xcel Energy.