The American Public Gas Association (APGA) presented JCE Co-op with the APGA System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) for excellence in operating its natural gas utility.

Out of approximately 750 APGA members, JCE Co-op was selected for SOAR level silver by its peers on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee.

The selection was based on demonstrated excellence in four areas:

• System integrity - the system is performing safely, efficiently and effectively.
• System improvement - the system is well maintained and up-to-date through self-improvement programs
• Employee safety - exhibited in several ways including adoption of a safety program for education involvement and accountability for all employees and tracking safety performance.
• Workforce development - creative recruitment, training, education and development practices to increase employee loyalty, motivation, safety and productivity.

APGA President and CEO Dave Schryver remarked, "JCE Co-op consistently demonstrates a commitment to providing natural gas safely and efficiently to all those in their community and, as such, serves as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country."

JCE Co-op was one of 25 SOAR recipients recognized in 2024, joining 51 previous SOAR award recipients. AGPA will recognize the co-op at its Annual Conference in Traverse City, Mich. in July.