News

American Electric Power (AEP) Cook Plant took home Utilities Service Alliance’s coveted Optimizer Award at the 2022 USA Executive Summit last month. During calendar year 2022, Cook achieved a remarkable $53.90 return on each dollar of their Alliance membership investment! “Cook has done a tremendous job utilizing our SCM agreements and is maximizing rebates across the board. This is the first time in more than ten years that AEP has won this prestigious award and it is due to the diligence and dedication of the entire Cook organization and team,” said John Christensen, President and CEO of USA.

Cook saved $1.7 million through the USA programs and projects including our Valve Program, Personnel Sharing, Training Project and more. They achieved an additional $7.1 million savings using the USA group-purchasing agreements. “First, I’d like to appreciate the opportunities provided to us by the Alliance,” said Shane Lies, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for DC Cook . “Their collaboration with suppliers has provided DC Cook with the means to be cost effective and improve our economic performance.  Thanks to the efforts and dedication of DC Cook’s leaders, we were able to achieve a net savings of over $8.6 Million by leveraging the supply chain agreements and cost reduction savings opportunities.  We look forward to continued participation and partnership with USA.”

About the Optimizer Award
USA created the Optimizer Award to recognize the member utility that best leveraged its alliance membership by achieving the highest return on investment through proactive engagement and participation in alliance opportunities.