MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Santee Cooper has received national recognition for its commitment to serving communities across South Carolina, earning one of the public power industry’s highest honors for community service.
The American Public Power Association (APPA) presented Santee Cooper with the Sue Kelly Community Service Award during its national conference in Boston, recognizing public power utilities that demonstrate exceptional dedication to improving the communities they serve.
The award highlights Santee Cooper’s extensive volunteer efforts, educational outreach, public safety initiatives and economic development work throughout the state.
“This recognition reflects the heart of who we are as a public power utility,” Santee Cooper President and CEO Jimmy Staton said in a statement. “Our employees are committed not only to providing reliable electricity and water, but also to strengthening the communities we serve. Whether volunteering their time, promoting safety, supporting local organizations or helping create new opportunities for future generations, they demonstrate every day what it means to serve South Carolina.”
According to Santee Cooper, employees logged more than 36,000 volunteer hours in communities across the state during 2025. More than 4,000 of those hours were dedicated to education programs and events.
The APPA also recognized the utility for a variety of community-focused efforts, including hosting events that promote public health and safety, supporting economic development initiatives aimed at strengthening local communities, and sponsoring volunteer outreach programs across South Carolina.
The Sue Kelly Community Service Award is presented annually to public power utilities that go beyond delivering electric service by making meaningful contributions to the well-being of the communities they serve.
Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, serves approximately 2 million people across the state through wholesale electric service, direct retail electric service in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, and water service in portions of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
