Braintree, MA – December 23, 2024 – As the holiday season brings moments of gratitude and celebration, the Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) is honored to receive a Mutual Aid Commendation from the American Public Power Association (APPA). This recognition highlights BELD’s unwavering commitment to helping communities in need during times of crisis.

Earlier this year, as Hurricane Milton approached Florida with devastating force, BELD responded to the call for mutual aid, dispatching crews to assist the Orlando region in restoring power to affected residents. The team’s expertise and dedication helped to bring relief to thousands of customers who faced prolonged outages in the wake of the storm.

“Mutual aid is one of the cornerstones of the public power community,” said Bill Bottiggi, General Manager of BELD. “When disasters strike, we know how crucial it is to lend a hand to those in need, just as we would hope others would do for us. It’s an honor to be recognized for this commitment, especially as we approach the holidays.”

The commendation serves as a reminder of the strong bonds within the public power network, where utilities across the nation collaborate to restore vital services to communities, no matter the distance.

This recognition, presented by the American Public Power Association, comes as a meaningful close to 2024 for BELD. We extend a heartfelt thanks to APPA’s staff, whose hard work and sacrifice make mutual aid efforts possible, and to the greater public power community for their shared mission of service.

BELD participates in the American Public Power Association’s Mutual Aid Network, which coordinates resources and personnel during widespread power outages.

Happy holidays from all of us at BELD!

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