Community Outreach and Public Relations

AMP provides a number of projects, programs and awards to aid Members in promoting the value of public power in their communities.

Member Programs and Resources

Special Events Kit

Spread the word about public power at fairs, festivals, community events and Public Power Week celebrations with a Special Events Kit. The kit includes a variety of promotional items imprinted with the power wheel or American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) logo. Please give as much advance notice as possible to process requests and ensure availability of promotional items. To request a Special Events Kit, please contact Amanda Smithey, Member Events and Program Manager, at [email protected].

Ernie Energy

Ernie Energy is the official mascot of AMP’s public power communities. The mascot is available to Members as a large inflatable that can “stand around” at fairs, festivals and other gatherings. The mascot is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year. To reserve Ernie Energy, contact Amanda Smithey, Member Events and Program Manager, at [email protected].

Awards

Each year, AMP honors Member communities for their outstanding achievements. Nomination information is sent annually to Member communities, and recipients of the following awards are presented during the AMP Annual Conference:

System Improvement Awards:

  • System Improvement — Grid Resilience Award
  • System Improvement — Technology Award

Safety Awards of Excellence:

  • Hard Hat Safety Award
  • Member System Safety Award

Community and Workforce Development Awards:

  • Employee Engagement and Workforce Advancement Award
  • Public Power Community Engagement and Service Award

Individual Recognition and Awards:

  • Managerial Excellence Award
  • Seven Hats Award
  • AMP Rising Star
  • AMP Service Distinction Award

For more information about our awards program, please visit the AMP Awards Program webpage.

Communications Resources

Communications Resources are provided to AMP Members and are available on the password-protected Member Extranet on AMP’s website. These resources are designed to provide AMP Members with a repository of toolkits and shareable content to communicate with their customers, helping to provide a better understanding of the electric industry and benefits of public power. To receive more information about these toolkits and materials, contact Michele Lemmon, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, at [email protected].

Scholarships Program

AMP’s Scholarships Program was developed in 1988 to create an awareness of careers in the municipal electric utility field and encourage high school seniors in AMP Member communities to further their education. The Richard H. Gorsuch Scholarship is a one-time award presented to a student whose parent or guardian is an employee of an AMP Member municipal electric department or an employee of AMP. The Lyle B. Wright Scholarship is a one-time award presented to eligible students whose households receive electricity from AMP Member communities.

In addition, in 2025, AMP established a scholarship aimed at AMP interns. The Kyle Andrew Krieger Memorial Scholarship is a one-time $3,000 scholarship presented to a current or former AMP intern who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school program.

Learn more about AMP’s Scholarships Program.