NEPPA eNewsletter
June 2013
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NEPPA would like to invite everyone to its 15thAnnual Apprentice Lineworker’s Skills Assessment Rodeo. It will be held on June 19th and 20th at NEPPA’s new training center at 200 New Estate Road in Littleton, Massachusetts. The facility is located directly behind Littleton Electric Light Department. This event is an opportunity for the students enrolled in the apprentice school to put the new skills they have developed on display. The "Rodeo" is made up of 10 events, in which each student competes against all the other students. Each event is timed but the fastest time is not the only criteria by which they are judged. Each student also gains or loses points based upon the quality of their individual performance. This allows SAFETY and quality of work to remain the primary goal of each participant. The first day starts at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday the 19th with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be supplied by the Wakefield Municipal Light Department. This is immediately followed by an acknowledgement of the veterans in attendance and a moment of silence to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The participants are then broken into "teams" and assigned to a crew leader who helps them through the events. A short lunch begins around 12:30 p.m. and the day closes at 2:00 p.m.. The second day begins at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday the 20th with the National Anthem and the participants go immediately into the events. Each apprentice must complete all 10 events by 12:30 p.m. on the second day. Lunch is served and is followed by a short awards ceremony to acknowledge those that have finished at the top of each event. Please consider showing your support for your apprentices by dropping by the training center in Littleton, Massachusetts during the "Rodeo." Refreshments will be made available and please join us for lunch. If you plan to attend, please let us know by calling the NEPPA office at 978-540-2200. ##SHARELINKS##
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
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Back in January Congressmen Markey (MA) and Waxman (CA) sent a letter to 150 public and private utility companies regarding the vulnerability of the electric grid. They were requesting information about threats, our responses, and current status in relation to mandatory and recommended procedures. Many of us were concerned about the public nature of their approach as it could potentially create the very threats they were seeking to prevent.
The report from their offices was published on May 21st. After reviewing the publication it was astonishing how little was actually gleaned from their efforts. Unfortunately, in an effort to justify their activity, they did mention some areas that could use attention and then went on to push for the expansion of FERC’s authority over the security of the electric grid and the movement to require previous recommendations from NERC, which the industry had explained were not feasible for all. The report suggests that a firmer regulatory hand is needed.
NEPPA supports maintaining the authority and review under the current NERC/FERC collaboration oversight and the formalization of this hierarchy. However, I find it unfortunate that in an effort to improve the grid’s security from cyber threats (which we support), these offices chose such a public forum to expose potential vulnerabilities. We should be grateful that so little was actually reported here as this document is now available to anyone. The cases cited were more of the physical vulnerabilities than cyber. The discussion of the scarcity of key replacement components would have been better left to internal communications with NERC and FERC, than in a public document.
I urge Congressmen Markey and Waxman, that in the future they find a better way to collect information and to convey it in a manner that does not create the potential for misuse.
Miscellaneous Items: As Congress begins the long slide into its summer break, many of you begin your summer maintenance season. Let’s remember to work safely and follow all of your safety procedures. Keep hydrated and keep your focus. Summer also means it’s time for NEPPA’s 15th Annual Apprentice Rodeo (June 19th & 20th). Attendance is free so if you plan to come and show your support, please call our offices to ensure we have enough food for everyone.
NEPPA is also diligently working on our version of summer maintenance. In our office, Courtney Crouse has begun the arduous task of bringing our website up to speed. In the process, we wanted to let everyone know that we are beginning to collect sample documents or procedures to be shared amongst members; from tail board briefing documents to accounting procedures, we are looking for systems that you have perfected to make your utility run better. If you would like to submit items, please submit any operations related documents to Steve Socoby, at ssocoby@neppa.org and any business related documents to me, at lbrownell@neppa.org.
Big Change: NEPPA has long run one of the most successful mutual aid programs in the country. At our recent Engineering and Operations Conference, our Mutual Aid Committee reviewed and recommended that we adopt an electronic communications tool to help support this programs' efforts. In addition, this communications system will empower our great program coordinators. The Board unanimously approved the committee’s recommendation and we will be launching the new tool this September. In the next two months your utility will be contacted for key information on contacts so be on the lookout.
Finally, thank you to Middleton Municipal Electric Department and their General Manager Mark Kelly. Middleton is donating a decommissioned bucket truck to the NEPPA training center. They recently purchased a new hybrid truck, which allowed them to make this generous donation. It will be well used in our training programs!
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AROUND NEW ENGLAND
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The Board of Directors of Washington Electric Cooperative has selected Patricia H. Richards to become WEC’s new General Manager, effective July 1st. She will take over management of the Co-op from Avram Patt, who is retiring at the end of June after 16 ½ years as manager and eight years as an elected board member prior to that.
Patty Richards has a long history working in the utility world in Vermont. For the past three years she has been a Senior Consultant with La Capra Associates, the firm WEC has relied on since 1997 for power supply planning, contracting and management, renewable energy development analysis, rate design and other regulatory matters. She became WEC’s primary contact upon joining the firm. In addition to her work for WEC, she has managed a number of significant regulatory cases in other states during that time.
Prior to that, Richards was Director of Power Supply and Transmission for the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, where she managed power supply for a number of small municipal utilities as well as WEC’s interactions with the New England regional power grid.
She started her utility career at Burlington Electric Department, where she worked for 17 years in administrative and energy efficiency related positions before becoming Director of Resource Planning. In that position Richards gained recognition for her regulatory work at the Public Service Board, at the State House and in energy education programs at schools and colleges.
"The WEC Board is very excited about bringing someone with Patty Richard’s qualifications on as the Co-op’s new General Manager," said WEC Board President Barry Bernstein. "Patty has a long history of working with public power in Vermont and with WEC, both as our lead consultant and before that. We feel fortunate to have selected her as the person to take over the reins at WEC from Avram Patt."
"Our Co-op has had a working relationship with Patty in each of her jobs, and especially most recently at La Capra Associates," said Avram Patt. "I’ve known Patty pretty much since I began at WEC, and she’s the right person to lead WEC, as a utility and as a cooperative."
Richards will begin transitioning to her new position in mid-June.
"I am looking forward to working for WEC members to provide high quality electric service, to championing WEC’s commitment to environmental issues and being a good community leader and partner," Richards said. "The WEC team is top notch and working with this talented group of employees is an honor and a privilege. This is an exciting opportunity to serve Vermont’s rural communities and I will work diligently to continue the great work that is WEC’s mission and that has been so successfully forged by Avram’s leadership. I look forward to meeting new faces and being part of the WEC community."
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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
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In the April edition of our eNewsline we began a feature on the Utilities and Affiliate Members that have generously donated to the NEPPA Training Center or has had a part in NEPPA’s move. This month we will recognize Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments. Savas Danos, who is the General Manager of Littleton Electric Light Department, goes on to say:
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by Courtney Miller First off, NEPPA would like to thank all the vendors and participants who participated because without them this event would not be possible. NEPPA’s E & O Conference, which was held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, M,A on Thursday, May 16th was a huge hit and knocked the local flea market right out of the water! You would have no idea that this event was not run last year as a result of NEPPA’s move from Milford, MA to Littleton, MA. The attendance and performance from both the vendors and the participants was outstanding. The conference began Thursday morning with NEPPA’s President, Barbara Grimes, introducing the keynote speaker, Bob McCall, who is the General Manager of Duke Engineering and Services, Inc. located in Charlotte, NC. Mr. McCall’s presentation, "Getting Safety to the New Level," captured the attention of our members and had them actively engaged in his presentation.
 Bob was very passionate when he spoke about safety and how/why it is so important in the Lineworker field and why it must always be used properly. His message was most certainly heard and respected by everyone in the room. NEPPA looks forward to having Mr. McCall join us again at one of our conferences in the near future.Following Bob McCall’s presentation were three sessions that also had success in both performance and attendance. Tim Richardson & Kathy Castro, from Control Point Technologies, spoke about "Distributed Generation," while Jackie Pratt, from Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, was down the hall talking about behind the scenes of "Emergency Communications," inside the office verses outside in the field. Meanwhile, David Morrissey, from Consulting Engineers Group, talked about "Arc Flash and FR Clothing."
The main event took place in The Hawthorne Exhibit Hall, which contained 46 vendor companies from all around the Northeast area. Companies such as Greenlee, ALTEC Industries, and Stuart C. Irby filled up the parking lot with bucket trucks, equipment, and other products useful to utility companies.
 There was a lot of foot traffic inside the exhibit hall where many conversations between the exhibitors and participant took place.  Lunch was held in the Exhibit Hall, where the participants were able to walk around, visit the booths, and talk to the vendors.
After lunch, Scott Coleman, from Seton, spoke about "Global Harmonization," while Adrian "Adi" T. Horrell, from ABB-Tropos, talked about "Network Communications." Please be aware of the New Global Harmonization System Training Requirements that must be completed by December 1st, 2013! If you need training, please call the office at 978.540.2200.
In the afternoon, the exhibit hall opened back up for the reception and a raffle was held. Such prizes given out were Red Sox Tickets, shirts, mini trucks, and flashlights. The grand prize was a Kindle Fire, sponsored by Marmon Utility - Hendrix Aerial Cable Systems. It was presented to Anthony Fahie, from Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, by Jermaine Wiggins, a Former NE Patriots Tight End. Jermaine spoke to groups of people during the reception, took pictures with the participants, and signed autographs.
 Following the reception was the dinner, sponsored by The Okonite Company, where Jermaine grabbed the attention of everyone in the room with his story of becoming a Tight End for the New England Patriots. He spoke about how as a child he dreamed of being a professional football player, but never thought he would get the chance. Even until today it still seems surreal for him at times, but playing on the field is something he enjoys to do and is grateful that he had the chance to do so. The second day of the E&O Conference consisted of an early breakfast in the morning, followed by a Board Meeting, and a Safety Summit/Roundtable – Work Smart: Work Safe! The presentation was given by one of NEPPA’s trainers, Bob Henriksen and was a great success! His emphasis on working smart and working safely summed up the event nicely and the audience was engaged. NEPPA’s Director of Training, Steve Socoby, also talked about safety in the work field and then after, they both answered questions from the General Formen, General Managers, and Lineworkers.
Now that NEPPA’s 2013 E&O Conference is over, we are eager to plan next year’s event and hope that you will join us again!
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This year at the E&O Conference & Expo 2013 we had some great raffle prizes! Raffle prizes included: AJ Hurley - Red Sox Tickets TDNE - Red Sox Tickets Powertech Associates - Red Sox Tickets Altec - Red Sox Tickets and Toy Truck Lincoln Hoist - 2 t-shirts Power Sales - Red Sox Tickets Marmon - Kindle Fire Brand Co. - Head Lamp   Mike Lucia, Boylston Municipal Light Doug Haselton, Vermont Electric Co-op   Jim Kelly, Retired, Middleton Scott Smith, Norwich Public Utilities Light; Commissioner   Mark Anderson, Rowley Municipal Frank Alves, Princeton Municipal   Ron Saunders, Merrimac Tom Sparks, Sterling   Jeff Stasiowski, Chicopee  Mark Bixby, Rowley  Anthony Fahie, Hingham, with Robin Jowders, Marmon Utility, and Jermaine Wiggins, former NE Patriots Tight End ##SHARELINKS##
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NEPPA would like to welcome HD Supply Power Solutions as an Associate Member! The company is located at 8 Bigelow Way in South Grafton, MA, 01560. John Ledbetter is the Account Manager and he may be reached by phone at 508.298.4499 and by e-mail at john.ledbetter@hdsupply.com. HD Supply is an outstanding distributor; they offer highly skilled associates that present value added solutions including industry leading technology, inventory management, and after hours emergency and storm supply, which are all designed to make their customers more successful.
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NEPPA is accepting nominations for the Carol A. Tracey Customer Service Award. This award is presented to employees of NEPPA member utilities who deliver outstanding service to their customers, either through sustained exceptional performance in serving their customers or the development of new and/or innovative programs to meet customer needs. Written nominations must be signed by the utility General Manager and submitted to the NEPPA office no later than August 23, 2013. Click here to print the form. Mail the form to Northeast Public Power Association, 200 New Estate Road, Littleton, MA 01460; or fax it to 978.952.7320.
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Each year, NEPPA seeks to recognize individuals who have made contributions to their utilities, communities, and to public power. Award presentations are made during the Annual Conference in August. To help identify these individuals, NEPPA asks its members to submit nominations of worthy candidates. The award categories are as follows:
We welcome written nominations for any of these awards, along with a brief description of the individual’s contributions or achievements. Please feel free to nominate more than one individual for Distinguished Service, NEPPA Service, or Commissioner Service, as multiple awards can be made in these categories. For your information, past recipients of NEPPA awards can be found on the NEPPA website (www.neppa.org).
Please send nominations to the NEPPA office by no later than June 28. (Fax: 978.952.7320; e-mail: cmiller@neppa.org).
We look forward to receiving your nominations!
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CALENDAR
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Thursday, September 12, 2013 Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, MA
Keep an eye out for more information and registration coming out in June!
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EDUCATION & TRAINING UPDATE
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If you’re not sure, you have by Dec. 1, 2013, to find out. That’s the deadline the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set for all employees to be trained on its new rules regarding chemical hazards.
Why should you care?
Granted, you don’t work extensively with chemicals, but think about this for a moment. You do have exposure to chemicals on the job, whether it’s solvents and lubricants or various chemicals for cleaning. Even transferring chemicals from one container to another can put you at risk for hazardous exposures.
So, what do you need to know?
To improve employee safety, OSHA adopted a new chemical classification system, known officially as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or GHS for short.
What this means is that chemical labels and safety data sheets (formerly material safety data sheets) will not only look different, but contain different information than you’re used to seeing when handling chemicals.
In order to be in compliance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, all employees must be trained on the key components of these new labels and safety data sheets. Furthermore, the agency can cite companies whose employees don’t receive the necessary training by the Dec. 1 deadline.
Now, about that pictogram.
The above image is what you might see on a chemical label. It means that the chemical is flammable and can explode under certain circumstances. In other words, handle with extreme care.
In fact, there are several new pictograms, each one revealing a different chemical hazard. And pictograms are really just the beginning. There is a lot of new information you and your employees need to know about chemical safety today — it’s the law.
Help is available.
We have good news. These safety experts have prepared everything you need to know about GHS in a variety of formats that will assist with training and reinforcement.
Clement Communications – www.clement.com – 1-800-CLEMENT
The bottom line? You and your employees will be ready if OSHA shows up at your site come Dec. 2, 2013.
NEPPA has prepared and assisted in this training. Call the office at 978.540.2200 to find out more information.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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In This Issue...
• Nominations: Interior, Energy, Nuclear Regulatory nominations move forward; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee mired in politics...
• Energy Policy: Small hydro and energy efficiency bills pass...
• Cyber Security: Markey report blasts utility grid preparations and House hearing focuses on White House Executive order...
• Dodd-Frank: Consumer groups support public power fix ....
• Municipal Bonds: Senate Finance Committee white paper includes proposal to cap or replace municipal bonds...
Former REI CEO Sally Jewell was confirmed as the Secretary of Interior by the full Senate on April 10, by a vote of 87 to 11. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on May 16. Moniz testified in support of shale gas production, nuclear energy, and an increased reliance on renewable energy. On his first day at the Department of Energy (DOE), he said he also supports more active engagement by DOE in energy efficiency. Allison Macfarlane is expected to easily be confirmed as Chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) when the Senate returns from recess the first week of June. EPA nominee Gina McCarthy, on the other hand, is running into a road block in the full Senate after finally being reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on a divided vote of 10–8.
To read the complete legislative update including the following topics, click the links below:
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