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The American Public Power Association conducts surveys to gather information about public power utilities to identify trends in the industry, understand emerging issues, and help our members benchmark various aspects of their operations. The data we collect in our surveys helps create a variety of resources for our members. Data we collect in our surveys create our signature survey reports, such as the Utility Salary Survey Report and Financial and Operating Ratios Report, inform our stats and facts about public power in the annual Public Power Statistical Report, contribute to maintaining the Public Power Directory, feed into our awards programs, and help ensure that we have reliable data for our advocacy. Below is a full list of the major surveys, including the submission dates, a sample of the questions, directions on how to access the report if applicable, and contact information. |
Our Signature Survey Reports
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| Utility Salary Survey Report | Financial and Operating Ratios Report | Public Power Pays Back |
Open Surveys
Governance Survey
A review of governing bodies that oversee public power utilities, including type, term limits, and compensation of governing body members, and the authorities granted to utility governing bodies.
When it is conducted: Every five years
When next survey is due: April 10, 2025
Who can participate: All public power utilities that are at least 50% retail sales.
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org
Completed Surveys and Reports
Cybersecurity Survey
A benchmark of cybersecurity postures, plans, and improvements.
When it is conducted: Every two years between March and April
When next survey is due: April 2025
Who can participate: All public power utilities, joint action agencies, and state and regional associations
Contact: Cybersecurity@PublicPower.org
DEED Membership Survey
A benchmark of how the DEED program is serving its members and an opportunity to provide input on DEED’s reports, application process, and research topics.
When it is conducted: Every two years between September and October
When next survey is due: October 2025
Who can participate: All DEED members
Contact: Nikkhil Murthy, NMurthy@PublicPower.org
Directory Survey
Collects and verifies information for APPA's online and print directory.
When it is conducted: Every three years between November and January
When next survey is due: January 2028
Who can participate: All public power utilities, joint action agencies, and state and regional associations. This survey helps update the print Public Power Directory and online directory, which is available to members.
Contact: Membership@PublicPower.org
Joint Action Agency Salary Survey
An annual benchmark of management and non-management salaries based on revenue, customer count, and generation.
When it is conducted: Annually between June and July
When next survey is due: July 2025
Who can participate: All joint action agencies that have full-time staff dedicated to the organization.
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org
Performance Indicators Survey
An annual benchmark of key financial and operating data for public power utilities, compared by utility customer count, region, and generation.
When it is conducted: Annually between September and November.
When next survey is due: November 2025
Who can participate: All public power utilities that are at least 50% retail and with annual retail sales of 150,000 MWh or more. View a list of eligible utilities.
Get the latest report (Anyone can purchase the report, respondents receive the report for free).
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org
Physical Security Survey
A benchmark of public power utilities’ physical security assessments, perceived threats, improvements, trainings, investments, and offerings.
When it is conducted: Every two years between January and February
When next survey is due: February 2026
Who can participate: All public power utilities, joint action agencies, and state and regional associations
Get the latest report (Available for purchase and free for all respondents)
Contact: Cybersecurity@PublicPower.org
Power Purchase Agreement Survey
A benchmark of public power’s clean energy goals. Collects information on power purchase agreements, future capacity plans, and clean energy commitments.
When it is conducted: Every two years between August and September.
When next survey is due: September 2025
Who can participate: All public power utilities and joint action agencies
Find the results featured in our latest Statistical Report and Clean Energy Commitments Tracker
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org
Public Communications Survey
A snapshot of what the public power communications landscape looks like. A review of the types of communicators employed by public power, its messaging, and engagement with the community.
When it is conducted: Every five years between March and April
When next survey is due: April 2028
Who can participate: All public power utilities and joint action agencies
Contact: News@PublicPower.org
Public Power Purchasing Outlook Survey (Discontinued)
This survey has been discontinued. Please select the link below to see the most recent report.
This survey benchmarks utilities' resource allocation against public power peers nationwide. It also evaluates the needs, wants, demands, and anticipated investments in the following areas over the next three to five years: metering/OMS, customers/billing, distribution energy resources, cybersecurity and IT, and business and financial resources.
Get the latest report (Available for purchase and free for all respondents and Elite Corporate Associate members)
Contact: Membership@PublicPower.org
Readers Survey
A survey that evaluates APPA's print and online publications
When it is conducted: Every year between November and January
When next survey is due: January 2026
Who can participate: All members subscribed to at least one APPA publication, including the Current, magazine, email updates, podcast, and more.
Contact: News@PublicPower.org
Tax Payments and Contributions Survey
Details the payments in lieu of taxes and other payments and in-kind contributions public power utilities make to local and state governments. Utilities can compare their contributions by revenue and region, and to taxes paid by investor-owned utilities.
When it is conducted: Every two years between January and March.
When next survey is due: March 2026
Who can participate: All public power utilities that are at least 50% retail.
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org
Utility Salary Survey
An annual benchmark of management and non-management salaries and median hourly pay for public power utilities. The report details differences in median salaries based on revenue, customers served, and region.
When it is conducted: Annually between May and July.
When next survey is due: July 2025
Who can participate: All public power utilities that are at least 50% retail.
Get the latest report (Available for purchase for utility members and free for all respondents)
Contact: Lindsey Buttel, LButtel@PublicPower.org