NEPPA eNewsletter

by Mike Kirkwood; General Manager at Pascoag Utility District and Vice-Chair of the NEPPA Legislative Committee

APPA’s Legislative Rally in Washington DC is quickly coming upon us. This year’s rally is scheduled for March 11-14, and is an extremely important event for our public power industry. Our time spent in Washington during this highly coordinated rally allows APPA and NEPPA members to impress on members of Congress how important the public power model is to its consumers, and to key them in and educate them on the issues of utmost concern to us. Our hope is always that our congressional delegation will remember these discussions when they deliberate and vote on issues that affect this industry. Because of the concerted effort to have public power entities from all 50 states represented at the rally, we increase the likelihood that members of Congress will remember and consider our issues during their debates, both in the various congressional committees and sub-committees, and finally when it comes time to take a full senate or house vote on a particular bill.

APPA organizes many events during the rally week such as legislative and regulatory breakfasts, lunches and general meetings, many of which feature speakers who are industry experts. These events allow the leadership folks from public power utilities across the nation to discuss and learn from each other as they plan for their meetings with their individual members of Congress.

Our NEPPA legislative team, working with its DC lobbying firm Morgan Meguire and the folks from APPA, takes a very serious interest in helping our entire New England membership to focus and prepare for the issues of importance to public power here in the Northeast. Many times the issues are the same as the national issues, but we often have a particular issue or issues to add to this list that become important from the New England perspective. An example of this is the topic of natural gas infrastructure in the Northeast, since we sit at the end of the natural gas pipelines and congestion on the pipelines can affect our power prices so dramatically.

From my personal experience during the last two legislative rallies, working with our NEPPA team and Morgan Meguire allowed me to become fluent in the issues, and I was completely comfortable as I sat down with Rhode Island’s four members of Congress and their aides to discuss the issues we in the industry have been most concerned with. As in anything else of importance that we do in our jobs, preparation is the key to carrying out our goals, and being prepared for these meetings allows NEPPA members to have succinct, focused discussions for the limited amount of time our busy congressional delegation can afford us.

All of our NEPPA members will be hearing from the NEPPA Legislative Committee over the next month or so prior to the rally as we develop information and talking points on our key issues. The items we will be keying up for discussion include FERC issues such as transmission rates and the ISO budget, LIHEAP funding, the threat to municipal bond tax exempt status, new hydro legislation, cyber security, natural gas/electric coordination and the CFTC rules evolution as the Dodd-Frank trading laws continue to be rolled out.

So stay tuned and get ready for another very successful rally in DC. On behalf of the Legislative Committee, we hope many of you will be able to participate in Washington as we spread our message far and wide in the halls of Congress.

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Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about some things that are truly important to all of us. The Legislative Affairs committee has identified the largest threats/issues for the public power industry in the Northeast. These issues will be addressed at the March 11-13 APPA Rally in Washington, DC. All members and lighting board members are invited to participate with NEPPA in our efforts to connect with our elected leaders. Meetings are being scheduled for all six states and you can easily get more information by emailing me at: legislative@neppa.org.

It is important that the leaders see as many constituents as possible. We facilitate the meetings so they are informative and easy for all members to participate. We also conduct a briefing call two weeks prior to the event for all attendees to participate in and a breakfast on the first day of our Capitol Hill visits. Please see Mike Kirkwood’s article in this issue on his experience at the event.

This year we will be speaking with leaders and staffers on the following issues:

• Public Power 101: the basics for any newly elected leaders or staffers who are not familiar with our industry.

• Tax Exempt Financing: There is concern that the White House is in favor of eliminating this crucial tool for many municipalities in an attempt at creating budget cuts.

• Cyber Security: Some Congressional leaders do not understand our current oversight and direction by FERC and NERC which has created greater protections for the grid. There are some that would modify our currently mandated cyber security efforts by adding Homeland Security or other elements to the mix. These efforts could create a weakened cyber security effort. If you have received a request from Representatives Markey or Waxman regarding cyber security, please click this link to see APPA’s recommendation.

• Hydropower Legislation: our need to support legislation to exempt small hydropower development and streamline the approval process.

• FERC: Discussions on ISO rate increases, incentive rates for transmission, future capacity markets and others must be understood by Congress if we are to ensure our voices carry at FERC.

• We will also be discussing issues related to natural gas, LIHEAP and the Dodd-Frank sub-threshold issue.

No one can be an expert on all of these issues and we will certainly not be able to discuss all of them in every meeting. But, if you attend there will be someone there to lead the discussion and make sure the issues that resonate with your leader are touched on.

At the heart of the rally is you! You building a relationship and rapport with your elected leader and their staff is critical to protecting our industry and your utility's interests. There is no substitute for constituent contact for elected leaders. One does not have to be a political being to participate. NEPPA has made it convenient and painless for anyone who would like to participate. You will get an experience that many in our country never take advantage of; the right of a citizen to walk the halls of their congress and see the political process up close, not the filtered version we often receive through the media, but the actual activity.

You do not need to register for the APPA conference to participate in NEPPA’s hill visits. It can be a very cost effective outreach for you and your board members. We begin with a briefing breakfast on Tuesday the 12th, where we will review the meeting schedule and any changes. You will meet the staffer or volunteer who will facilitate each meeting. You will be given copies of the briefing documents which were previously emailed to you, including one page of talking points.

You will have a great couple of days (with your peers) visiting the offices of leaders who have great influence over the future of public power.

If you have any questions or would like to participate, email me at: legislative@neppa.org.

I look forward to seeing you in DC!

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During February of 2012, the Houlton Water Company (HWC) located in Houlton, Maine volunteered to have a safety inspection performed by the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL). On February 23, 2012 the MDOL inspected all of their facilities, trucks and equipment for safety violations and perhaps a lack of and or improper documentation. The HWC learned much from the inspection and after making all of the suggested improvements they crafted a safer work place. The entire Houlton Water Company staff worked diligently to correct the noted issues.

Because of HWC’s attention to safety, they have been awarded the MDOL Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE). The HWC is one of just five public entities in the state of Maine that earned the SHAPE award during 2012.

Steve Greeley, the Deputy Director of the Maine Department of Labor, was on site at the HWC office on Monday, January 7, 2013 to honor all HWC personnel with the award. He presented the award to Galen Hogan, President of the HWC Board of Directors.

The SHAPE honor is one that all HWC personnel worked hard to earn. Congratulations go out to all of the employees of the Houlton Water Company. They should be proud of what they accomplished to create and improve a safer work environment.

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On June 12 of last year Barry Tupper from Holden Municipal Light Department was working with his crew in Holden, MA, when around 2 p.m. they heard a call on their radio that a man was stuck in a silo at a local concrete company just down the road. Barry and his crew arrived at the scene to offer their assistance. It was at that time they found out the man was stuck in the silo with concrete dust caving in around him, and while the victim was conscious, he was having an extremely difficult time breathing.

The only way to reach the victim was a through a manhole-sized hatch approximately 75 feet up on the top of the silo, and the only access to the hatch was a small ladder on the outside of the silo. Holden Light called for their new tree truck, which had approximately a 75-foot working height, to assist in bringing the equipment and manpower to the top of the silo.

It was at this time that the Holden Fire Chief, Jack Chandler, who was also on site, asked Barry if he would help. According to Barry, "the chief asked if I would be willing, based on my training of self-contained breathing apparatus, confined space rescue and search and rescue and my knowledge of the equipment that we were providing if I would be willing to enter the space and assist in the rescue."

Barry gladly helped and proceeded to the top of the silo with the confined space equipment. Once he reached the top, he was informed that a paramedic had already made entrance into the silo and was in the process of locating the victim. Barry and the others set up the equipment, tripod and fall protection while the other paramedic was making his exit from the silo. The paramedic told Barry where he believed the victim to be, and that he had dropped a life line down to him and was attempting to get him oxygen when the paramedic ran out of air.

Barry proceeded into the silo and started climbing down an internal ladder that was approximately 30 feet long. After reaching the bottom of this ladder Barry realized he had to go down further and he called for Holden’s manhole ladder to continue his descent into the cement dust.  Unfortunately, he was unable to make visual contact with the victim based on the fact that there was zero visibility with the dust.   Barry then lowered a hand light down into the center of the "cone-like funnel of dust," to see if he could make visual contact. It was at this time he saw the light move, which indicated that he had found the victim and he was still conscious. 

Barry continued to make his way down the cone of dust while having the safety personnel up top make tension on his life line to make sure that he wouldn't slide any deeper down into the silo. He made contact with the victim and checked his status. He was conscious and alert, and having trouble breathing and buried up to his chin with concrete dust. He was wedged in a very small chute close to the bottom of the silo, with tons of concrete dust collapsing around him. The dust had already gotten to his chin and was continuing to cover him with every movement.  Barry assisted by giving him oxygen and then called to the personnel up top for another life line to attach to him and prevent him from falling any further down.  Once the life line was attached and he was secure, they called to the incident command and requested that a hole be cut in the side of the silo to relieve some of the pressure. Using his arms and legs, Barry began to dig out some of the dust around the victim to relieve some of the pressure. Barry uncovered the victim to below the waist and instructed him to use his arms and legs to try and crawl out.  

About this time Barry’s alert went off in his mask informing him that he was running out of air. Once the safety crew up top heard this they immediately began cranking him out of the silo using the fall protection tripod. At this time, Barry grabbed hold of the victim attempting to use the mechanical assist of the fall protection to pull him out. Once he had been lifted far enough out that he could no longer hold the victim, he released the victim and told him he would return to continue to dig him out. Once Barry had been removed from the silo and cleared the hatch the victim called up saying he was free and was ready to be pulled out.  

David Chapin, Lieutenant and EMT, instructed the personnel on top of the silo, which included fire, police, the Holden Municipal Light Department and DPW to begin to pull the victim out. Once the victim was clear of the hatch he was secured to a backboard, lowered down from the silo and rushed to the hospital. After a lengthy stay in the hospital, recovering from chemical burns to his mouth and throat, he was discharged and is presently back at work.

Barry has said "this rescue would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the departments of the town of Holden and the training and equipment that we have received through our line of work."

Barry Tupper joined the Holden Light Department in 1994 and became a truck foreman in 2006. He joined the fire department in 1992 and became an EMT shortly thereafter. He also became a lieutenant in the fire department in 2005.

 

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Washington Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors and General Manager Avram Patt wish to let our members, friends, colleagues and the public know that Avram will be retiring on June 30 after serving for 16 and a half years in that position.

"WEC has been fortunate to have benefited for many years from Avram's leadership and his unwavering commitment to our co-op and its staff and members, and to the cooperative approach for promoting socially and environmentally responsible business practices," said WEC Board President Barry Bernstein.

"I will have some reflections to share about the co-op and our energy future a little later on," Patt said. "We are announcing this now so the board can begin the search for a new manager and the co-op can start planning for the change."

Patt will remain available to assist the new manager and staff with the transition and to finish work on any regulatory matters pending on his retirement date.

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Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP) has produced a historical calendar for its customers, featuring photographs and renderings of Peabody and Lynnfield landmarks and points of interest.

In addition to 10 others, the 2013 PMLP calendar includes pictures of the Moulton Corey House, a PMLP line crew in 1925, the Peabody Fire Department in 1895, and South Lynnfield’s Suntaug Inn. The photographs have been provided through the generosity of the Peabody Institute Library, the Peabody Historical Society, the Lynnfield Historical Society and JC Marketing Associates of Wakefield.

In addition to the photographs and renderings, the calendar includes energy-saving tips along with a guide that provides the approximate cost of operating household appliances.

"The 2013 calendar is the first of a series that PMLP looks forward to offering this year and into the future," stated PMLP Assistant Manager Kristina Frizzell. "We want to offer our customers an opportunity to appreciate the history of our communities and make use of the energy-saving guidelines provided in the calendar."

Due to the limited number available, calendars will be available while supplies last.  The free calendar is available to PMLP customers at several locations in the two communities, including the PMLP office at 201 Warren Street Ext. in Peabody, the Peabody Institute Libraries, Lynnfield Public Library and the senior centers as well as the City/Town Halls.

Peabody Municipal Light Plant, a community-owned, not-for-profit electric utility, services the citizens of Peabody and South Lynnfield. PMLP is dedicated to providing safe, reliable electricity and high-quality service at the lowest possible rates. For additional information about PMLP, go to www.PMLP.com.

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ABB will be hosting their annual four-day program on March 25-28 at the Orange County Convention Center. Automation & Power World is the "must-attend" event to be introduced to the latest products, solutions and cutting-edge technology and to learn how these solutions can positively impact your utility.

The annual four-day program consists of educational workshops, technical training, customer case studies, application workshops and panel discussions. It features more than 130,000 square feet of power and automation equipment, more than 400 educational training courses and access to ABB and industry experts. NEPPA members may attend any one day of this event without cost! Please click on the link for further details. www.abb.com/apworld

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The annual NEPPA Safety & Operations Conference will be held on May 16-17 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The conference will include an all-day trade show on May 16 in the adjoining exhibit hall, which will also feature demonstrations throughout the day by participating exhibitors. A BBQ dinner will be served in the evening, and a NEPPA Safety Forum will conclude the conference on the morning of May 17.

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June 7, 2013
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass.
Watch your mail for information later this month.

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16 Days

February 12-15
May 7-10
September 17-20
December 10-13

This program will combine classroom instruction with hands-on practical applications in the field. Click here for more information.

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4 Days
February 11
March 4
April 8
June 3

This program will cover the basics of electric metering concepts and hardware, and combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical application. Click here for more information.

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NEPPA would like to introduce Paul Carson as its newest Technical Trainer. Paul worked as an electrical engineer for Reading Municipal Light Plant for 34 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the technical aspect of utility work. He was heavily involved in substation design and construction planning and was directly involved in system-wide expansion over his career. Paul progressed from a junior engineer to Manager of Engineering at his retirement in 2006. NEPPA is fortunate to have him come on board.

Paul’s other interests include 24 years of service with The Boy Scouts of America and he is a model railroad enthusiast. In his leisure time, he has hiked over 50 mountains of at least 4,000 feet elevation.

Paul will be involved with the Technical Programs that NEPPA offers. His expertise should enhance all of the programs along with the photographs he has taken throughout his career.

Please welcome Paul when he visits your utility.

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NEPPA graduates 16 students from the 2012 Advanced Lineworker Program:

Paul Camarda from Marblehead Municipal Light Department, Michael Coleman from Peabody Municipal Light Plant, Paul Diggin from Mansfield Municipal Electric Department, Evan Gioumbakis from Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments, Ryan Kiley from Reading Municipal Light Department, Brian Marion from Chicopee Municipal Lighting Plant, Joseph Maynard from Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, Paul Maynard from Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, David Melin from Ipswich Municipal Light Department, Dennis Morrison from Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant, Dave Scott from Norwich Public Utilities, Kevin Snow from Marblehead Municipal Light Department, Jay Thompson from Mansfield Municipal Electric Department, Paul Vartanian from Reading Municipal Light Department, Christopher M. Wenzell from Chicopee Municipal Lighting Plant and Matt Wilson from Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant.

 

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By Elizabeth K. Nevitt and Lori Pickford

House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), sent a Jan. 17 letter to a number of private power companies, co-ops and public power utilities requesting information on their efforts to protect assets from cyber or physical attack or geomagnetic storms. Last fall, Senate Commerce Committee Chair John Rockefeller (D-WV) sent a similar cyber security inquiry to all Fortune 500 companies after the Senate failed for a second time to bring the comprehensive Lieberman-Collins cyber security bill to a vote.
 
The Waxman-Markey letter is more focused on the electric industry, and asks questions related to:

• Whether – or why not – companies are implementing the September 2010 recommendations by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in response to the Aurora malware threat and March 2010 NERC recommendations to address an FBI warning about ability for cyber intruders to remotely gain access to utility assets and how the companies responded to any grid reliability notices by NERC over the last five years;

• Steps taken to address risks from cyber vulnerabilities from malware;

• Whether the companies utilize hiring practices to assess whether employees pose insider threats, and whether there are any job duties not permitted to be conducted by foreign nationals;

• The amount of large transformers utilized by the utility and whether any other entities have competing claims to them in the event of a cyber attack or disaster;

• The number and nature of any cyber attacks on the entity and whether they were reported to NERC, FERC, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or other authorities;

• Steps taken to protect against geomagnetic storms;

• How many employees in the last five years have been primarily focused on cyber security and the titles of those employees;

• Whether the entities have identified all of their critical assets based on the "bright line" criteria as part of the Version 4 CIP standards, and whether the current FERC CIP standards are adequate; and

• Whether each company conducts exercises to assess its ability to respond to cyber attacks, as well as descriptions of the simulations.

The electric sector cyber security coalition met Jan 25. to discuss both a response to the Markey-Waxman letter and a Feb. 6 planned briefing of House Energy and Commerce Committee staff and Members’ staff. APPA will soon provide to members a draft of the response it proposes to send to Markey and Waxman, giving an overview of the many actions the electric sector is taking to address cyber security threats. NEPPA members are encouraged to inform APPA if they have received a letter such letter from Rep. Waxman and Markey. 

To read the complete legislative update including the following topics, click the links below:

Congressional Focus; Energy Back in Focus

Fiscal Cliff Avoided; More Battles Loom as 113th Congress Begins

House Passes Debt Ceiling "Suspension"

Obama Addresses Climate in Second Inaugural Address

New Climate Bill with Fees on Greenhouse Gas Emitters

Senate Leaders Reach Filibuster Deal

Markey, Wyden, Others Weigh in on LNG Exports

FERC Approves Settlement on NERC 2012 Performance Audit

Proposal to End Energy Tax Credits Reintroduced

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