The National Association of Water Companies, Pennsylvania Chapter Tuesday recognized State Rep. Robert W. Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, with its James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence.

The organization honored Rep. Godshall during its awards luncheon at the NAWC Annual Meeting in the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg.  (Photo: Former Public Utility Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli, Rep. Robert Godshall and NAWC-PA Chapter Chairman J.T. Hand.)

The James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by NAWC. The industry association presents the award each year to a resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplifies dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.

“The water industry and all Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude to Chairman Godshall for his years of dedicated public service and advocacy for policies promoting safe and reliable water and wastewater service that is sustainable for the Commonwealth,” said NAWC Pennsylvania Chapter Chairman JT Hand.

Throughout the course of his career, Rep. Godshall has been a leader on numerous utility issues with an eye towards protecting the consumer.  Chairman Godshall exemplifies the qualities espoused through this award and deserves the accolades bestowed upon him as the 2013 recipient of the James McGirr Kelly Annual Award for Excellence.  He traces his family’s roots back to the North Penn area of Montgomery County more than 250 years.  

The NAWC Annual Meeting also featured presentations by Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Vice Chairman Robert F. Coleman; Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary for Programs Dana Aunkst; and West Virginia American Water President Jeffrey L. McIntyre.

The NAWC represents all aspects of the private water service industry including ownership of regulated drinking water and wastewater utilities and the many forms of public-private partnerships and management contract arrangements.

The Pennsylvania Chapter consists of 8 member companies that provide safe and adequate drinking water service to approximately 3.1 million Pennsylvanians in 485 communities in 39 counties. In addition, four member companies provide wastewater service to approximately 155,000 Pennsylvanians in 25 communities across eight counties.

5/12/2014