NEPPA eNewsletter
December 2012
|
Below is a list of all who contributed to the new NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Mass. Cotte Management ##SHARELINKS##
|
|
With the close of 2012 NEPPA is closing the book on a historic year. We built and moved into a permanent home. In the process, we upgraded our Training Center by adding confined space, substation, a meter lab and internal pole yard training areas! Thanks to all of the members who made this possible through your support of the assessment and to all of the additional contributors listed in this issue of eNewsline. We are still seeking some donations; please see updated wish list on our website. 2012 was also a big year for change to our programs. We have standardized and included new programs in our catalog and added practical skill thresholds to our apprentice program. We have the most comprehensive and best designed education programs for public power employees and commissioners in the northeast! While others may brag, we actually deliver with solid trustworthy trainers and programs. So, what could we possibly do in 2013? We will continue to revamp and add services. But, in 2013 we are going to work on improving how we communicate with you and how we promote the industry. We are currently seeking feedback on our website. We plan to make it more interactive and searchable and are looking at revamping every element. So, please help us by reaching out to Courtney Crouse our Communications Manager at ccrouse@neppa.org. We are accepting feedback until January 1st, when we will begin assimilating the information. We will also be looking at revisions to eNewsline, so feel free to send feedback on the publication as well. If you do nothing else based on this issue of eNewsline, go to your computer calendar and enter the following dates! Here are the eight things that you need to do or support in 2013: 1. March 11-13th - NEPPA participates in the APPA Rally: join us in D.C. and have an impact on the issues affecting all of us. This past year we actually created movement on transmission incentive rates. In 2013 we have to protect tax exempt funding sources! In 2013 we plan to continue to advance services to you, protect your interests, and improve our relations by enhancing our communications and technology. I hope that you will be an active participant! P.S. - Thank you to all of the staff, trainers and members that made all of our 2012 improvements possible. ##SHARELINKS##
|
|
LITTLETON -- Hurricane-force winds had just toppled six utility poles like dominoes on Great Road last Monday when light, water and highway workers began descending on the scene in the biggest trucks they could find. Hundreds of feet of wire lay strewn on the ground while still carrying power to much of Littleton and Boxboro. Rolling around them were the utility poles knocked from their bases. Other poles hung in the air, leaning toward the other side of the road and dragging the rest of the lines toward the ground. ##SHARELINKS##
|
|
The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) was among the many businesses and community organizations that participated in Fright Night sponsored by the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce. Photo on the Left - WMGLD Administrative Clerk Kathy Martino, back row, helped pass out treats and hard hats to (from left) Ian, Hana and Luke Dixon. Photo on the Right - Olivia Cataldo, Emma McEleney, Jillian Falvey and Caitlin Cataldo stopped by the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) during the Fright Night festivities sponsored by the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce. WMGLD Administrative Clerk Kathy Martino, back row, was among the staff members who greeted the children and helped pass out treats and hard hats.
##SHARELINKS##
|
|
On November 9, NEPPA held its first Annual Membership Meeting at our new Littleton Training facility. We had a great turnout with members, affiliates and vendors in attendance. The day began with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony outside. Larry Brownell, the new Executive Director, Pay Hyland, the recently retired Executive Director, Savas Danos, the General Manager of Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments, and John Bilda, the Past President of NEPPA all spoke. After a group picture was taken in front of the building. Everyone then went inside to the new conference room to hear a Welcome to the Members, followed by a brief address by Calvin Ames, the Vice President. Kristin DiGirolamo then went over the 2013 Association Budget, "2012 Election and Its Impact" presentation. Each affiliate that attended had the chance to say something to the group. Here is the complete list: Power Sales Group – Brian Curley Lunch was then provided and tours were given of the facility.
##SHARELINKS##
|
|
Orion Utilities provides meter, house bracket, and pole reconnections, disconnections, outage restoration, and collections for the Dayton Power and Light Company and AES in Ohio.
##SHARELINKS##
|
|
In the upcoming weeks, we will be putting a NEPPA wish list on the homepage of our website that will consist of items that are needed for the NEPPA training center. Any assistance with these items would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested and don't want to wait, please contact Courtney Crouse, ccrouse@neppa.orgor Steve Socoby, ssocoby@neppa.org, or call us at 978.540.2200 and we will be glad to assist you with what is needed!
##SHARELINKS##
|
|
August 25-28, Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe, Vermont For more than a century, Stowe has attracted the world’s most discerning travelers, who have cherished the beauty of the area’s covered bridges, sparkling lakes, rambling woodlands and majestic peaks. Those who frequent Stowe treasure its ability to welcome the world, while still remaining a quintessential small New England town; Stowe Mountain Lodge reaffirms the mountain’s reputation as a world-class resort. ##SHARELINKS##
|
|
It’s fall graduation time for groups like NEPPA. This fall we have two graduating classes -- our Fourth Year Apprentices and our Public Utility Management Program (Please keep an eye out for our Apprentice Fourth Year graduation list and picture in the January issue). We spend a great deal of time recognizing our apprentice program, but we need to recognize our PUMP school also. This program started more than 20 years ago and is dedicated to providing the core education for general managers, commissioners and future utility managers. We attempt to balance all of the elements of overseeing a public utility and provide a complete training over two, three-day programs. Through the use of experienced utility managers and other professionals we make the oversight of a utility understandable and provide a network of resources to rely upon. This fall we featured speakers on utility accounting, cyber security, board/commission relations, power supply, social media and contracts among other topics. Our graduates leave with a comprehensive understanding of utility management.
NEPPA has found that the program has become a valuable resource for new commissioners. Here they get a strong orientation to the overall elements of running a utility. Congratulations to our 2012 Graduates: Tracy Hardy, Norwich Public Utilities Spencer Newman, Burlington Electric Department The 2013 program will begin with our spring session in April. The session is two and a half days and will be conducted at the Cranwell Resort in the Berkshires. For more information or to register please contact Courtney Miller at the NEPPA offices.
##SHARELINKS##
|
|
In late November each year the Northeast Public Power Association trainers meet as a group to discuss pertinent issues and express concerns they face as they conduct safety and technical meetings throughout the northeast. This year three main policy issues were presented and discussed. 1. Fall Protection: NEPPA strongly recommends the use of fall protection for everyone while practicing pole top rescue. Apprentices in training are required to use fall protection. 2. Ground to Ground: NEPPA requires (during training) that all employees leaving the ground wear rubber gloves. Rubber sleeves are highly recommended. 3. Extendo Stick: NEPPA does not recognize the extendo stick exception published in the 2012 APPA Safety Manual (15th Edition) page 97 Section 407 e (8). Gloves and other protective gear/clothing are to be worn. These three policies are under review and final policies will be issued very shortly. The stance of all the NEPPA trainers is consistent with their sincere desire that NO ONE get hurt while working on the job. All of NEPPA’s trainers expressed a commitment to provide the best safety and technical training available anywhere. Finally, it was with bittersweet emotions that the NEPPA training staff bid a final farewell to Dave Fabrizius. By the time this edition is released Dave should be well on his way back home to California. Dave retired after 25+ years of service to NEPPA. We wish him well in his future endeavors and he will be missed. Stay safe. ##SHARELINKS##
|
|
By Elizabeth K. Nevitt and Lori Pickford The House and Senate reconvened after the November elections to begin deliberations on the so-called "fiscal cliff" issues (reduced federal spending from sequestration and higher taxes resulting from expiration of the Bush tax cuts) and other year-end legislation. While President Obama, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have made positive statements about moving together in a bipartisan fashion, it remains to be seen if the respective parties can reach an agreement to prevent higher taxes and spending cuts from taking effect at the end of the calendar year. Many speculate that Congress will advance a framework, which would be viewed as a "down-payment" on larger issues to be addressed by reforming the tax code and modifying entitlement programs to address the deficit. Such a framework would provide additional time to allow the new Congress to work toward a "grand compromise" in the 113th Congress. Therefore, lame duck deliberations over the fiscal cliff will be the first in a series of debates that could impact tax-exempt municipal bonds, the primary financing tool for NEPPA member utilities. The Administration and Congress must look for ways to increase federal revenues and/or reduce federal expenditures. Over the last two years, several proposals have been advanced to limit or eliminate, going forward, the federal tax exemption for municipal bonds. CBO Continues to Press for Taxing Interest on Muni Bonds The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on Nov. 8 discussing spending and revenue options for deficit reduction. The CBO would tax the interest on municipal and private activity bonds, and would partially offset the increased cost in borrowing by making payments from the Treasury to issuers equal to 15% of the interest expense on those bonds. The provision is estimated to raise $30 billion annually for the federal government by 2020. According to APPA, the proposal would likely "reimburse state and local issuers for as little as 60% of the increased borrowing costs they would face if these bonds were subject to federal tax." Further, the association cautions that such a reimbursement could be cut at any time, just as may happen to Build America Bond payments if and when the pending sequestration cuts are applied. During a Nov. 8 APPA government relations call, Vice President Joy Ditto said "our number one, two and three priorities in the new Congress is maintaining tax exempt financing for municipal utilities." House and Senate Leadership Positions Announced Cyber Bill Fails Cloture Vote in Senate FERC Issue Policy Statement on Incentive "Adders" for Transmission Projects Climate Change to Take Backseat to Economy Study Says PTC Obsolete; Election Results Add Momentum for Extension ##SHARELINKS##
|
