NEPPA eNewsletter
January 2014
 The APPA 2014 Legislative Rally will be held March 10-12, 2014, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. Public power professionals who want to get involved and advocate on behalf of their community and the industry should plan to attend. Go here for details. ##SHARELINKS##
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
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Like all of you, NEPPA has been busy making plans and setting goals for 2014. After two very active years of change, 2014 will be one of examining the changes and planning the long-term paths as a result of all those changes. But, it will also be a year to look forward to 2015, when we will celebrate our 50th anniversary. While 50 years is old hat to most of our members who have more than 100 years of service, it is a big anniversary for us.
During the course of the year we will be seeking input from you on suggested 50th anniversary activities, NEPPA’s current fulfilment of its core activities, and what long-term services or activities we should be involved in. I urge you to respond to these requests for input. This is your organization and it should reflect your desires.
As a reminder, NEPPA’s current core activities are made up of: education, legislative/regulatory representation, communication, and mutual aid. All of our offerings and activities fall into one of these categories. If you are interested in assisting in any of these areas, I encourage you to contact the chair of the appropriate committee. Our current committees that are not appointed by leadership are:
Additionally, NEPPA leadership also participates on our Board, Audit & Finance and Executive committees.
These groups help set NEPPA’s directions, goals and objectives. Additionally, Mike Cloutier (Groveland Light) is attempting to re-establish NEPPA’s Linemen’s Rodeo and there may be volunteer opportunities available.
Going forward in 2014, NEPPA has the following activities that we hope you will participate in:
Please mark your calendar for these essential NEPPA meetings. We look forward to serving you in 2014, and please do not hesitate to contact the NEPPA staff with any suggestions or feedback you have.
We are wishing all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
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AROUND NEW ENGLAND
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The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department is encouraging customers to learn all they can about natural gas, especially now, when the home heating season is in full swing.
Natural gas is used by more than 6,400 residential and commercial customers in the community, according to WMGLD General Manager Pete Dion. While natural gas is very safe when used properly, safety measures should always be in place when using gas appliances, furnaces and heaters.
To stay safe, you should...
What you shouldn’t do...
Because natural gas is a colorless, odorless hydrocarbon, a chemical odorant is added making the presence of gas detectable for safety purposes. The odorant has a distinct smell that resembles rotten eggs. If you detect even a small amount of the odor of natural gas in the air, there are several steps you should follow.
If you smell gas in your home:
"It is important to remember that natural gas is very safe when used properly. It is even more important to remember to call 781-246-6363 or 911 if you smell gas. It’s better to be safe than sorry," General Manager Dion concluded.
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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
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In the 2013 April edition of our e-newsline we began a feature on the utilities and affiliate members that have generously donated to the NEPPA Training Center or have had a part in NEPPA’s move. This month, we will recognize Century Bank.
Brian Feeney, executive vice president at Century Bank located in Medford, MA, said:
"Century Bank was delighted and honored to participate in NEPPA's fabulous new training facility. This venue will be a significant enhancement for NEPPA well into the future."
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NEPPA welcomes Colleen Del Signore as our new Member Services Associate! Colleen started with us in December of 2013, and will be the voice you hear as a first point of contact. Colleen comes to us from MCI Framingham, where she was administrator for the medical staff. Colleen currently resides in Milford, MA, with her husband and daughter. ##SHARELINKS##
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NEPPA, the quality leader for public power education in the Northeast, is seeking a new full time instructor for its Littleton, MA, Training Center and other remote training sessions.
NEPPA offers competitive compensation and presents a positive environment. Candidates must have crew experience and be proficient in operational/technical and safety areas of public utility operations and must be comfortable with public speaking and group management. NEPPA will train the right candidate in our programs. For information or to apply, please contact either Steve Socoby, ssocoby@neppa.org, or Larry Brownell, lbrownell@neppa.org, or call 978-540-2200.
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NEPPA welcomes SPIDA Software, who joined as a new associate member on December 18, 2013! SPIDA Software provides innovative solutions that streamline utility engineering and business processes by creating products crucial to the future of the electric industry. SPIDA products advance the industry and evolve with ever-changing regulations and challenges.
Wartsila North America, Inc. became an associate member of NEPPA on December 4, 2013. Their company is the fourth-largest supplier of gas and liquid fired power plants in the world with a total installed capacity of 53 GW. From natural gas to liquid biofuels, from baseload to peak load, from 2 MW to 600 MW and above, their power plants are tailored to meet the needs of their customers. The company is located at 900 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401. The primary contact is Business Development Manager Nick Gibson, who can be reached by email at nick.gibson@wartsila.com, by phone at 410-573-2100(phone) or by fax at 410-573-2200.
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On December 16, 2013, Norwalk’s Third Taxing District made the final switch over to the new Fitch 47R Substation.
Gabe Stern, from Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC) stated, "This success is a major accomplishment for TTD. Fitch Station is the first new ISO NE located MEU (Municipal Electric Utilities) PTF substation to come on line in recent times under the revised ISO procedures, some of which did not exist for MEUs and were established as the project evolved. The project timeline—from presentation of concept to commercial operation in under 33 months—is probably a record under current regulatory requirements and more impressive considering the requirements of the location and the several collaborations needed for success. The payback for this investment is driven by both avoided WDA costs and TTD’s retention of the PTF (Pool transmission Facility) portion of the project which engenders RNS payments for TTD. Together these value sources result in rather rapid ROI (Return on Investment) for such a long-lived investment. Getting the station in service before year end secures the RNS payments for 2013. The station capabilities introduce redundant power supply to the district and volume wise should satisfy TTD’s needs for many years to come."
The General Manager of Norwalk’s Third Taxing District, Jim Smith, says "everybody did an outstanding on this project. TTD should be proud of its staff, its business partners, and the leadership and vision of the Commission (especially Dave Brown, who was on the Commission when the initial decision was made to move forward with the substation project ). Celebrating the 100th Anniversary in the manner in which we did and completion of this substation in a cost effective and timely manner in a single year is quite a professional accomplishment for a small public power system like ours."
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CALENDAR
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August 24-27, Sea Crest Beach Resort, Falmouth, MA
Sea Crest Beach Hotel provides a new look and personality that is light and airy, with a playful atmosphere and staff. Just minutes over the Bourne or Sagamore bridges, the Sea Crest Beach Hotel provides an alluring backdrop for a peaceful Cape Cod escape. Slip on your flip-flops, bring the beach towel, and allow us to help you re-learn the art of relaxation.  Room are now available to book for the conference! To make reservations, please click here. You can also call 508-540-9400 or 800-225-3110. Please use the code: NEPPA. ##SHARELINKS##
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If you have responsibility for extending credit or collection activities at your utility, you will want to attend this Roundtable discussion on March 4, 2014, being held at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, MA.
Credit topics:
Collections topics: (*Even though every state has unique regulatory procedures, please provide input as to the following):
Utility representatives are requested to bring sample customer notices and / or form letters for the following:
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16 Days This one-year program builds on the knowledge and skills lineworkers already possess. Students are awarded a certificate in Advanced Lineworker Skills. Click here to learn more. ##SHARELINKS##
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16 Days February 11 - 14May 6 - 9 September 16 - 19 December 9 - 12
This program will combine classroom instruction with hands-on, practical applications in the field. The class will be held at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, MA and in our new substation training area. Click here to learn more.
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4 Days February 10March 3 April 7 May 19
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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EDUCATION & TRAINING UPDATE
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On December 6, 2013, the NEPPA Apprentice Lineworker School graduated a class of 12 line workers. The class has studied the Northwest Lineman College curriculum, which covers 40 topics over 4 years. Each subject is presented by NEPPA Instructor Steve Socoby and an exam is then taken for each topic. A score of 70 is needed to pass the exams and the entire class of apprentice students passed all of their tests. Each week a series of practical exercises related to the classroom work was also presented in the outdoor pole yard and inside the training facility to make the lessons more relevant. These exercises include pole climbing, pole top and bucket rescue, rigging, conductor cover-up, and three phase transformer connections, to name only a few of the skills presented that each line worker may face as they continue their careers. Safety is always presented as the primary consideration for each line worker and is a must while working in the pole yard. Pole top and/or bucket rescue are practiced at almost every class to enable each student to be ready to perform a rescue if the need ever arises. On the last day of class a graduation luncheon was enjoyed by the apprentices and their friends followed by a presentation of Certificates of Completion from Northwest Lineman College and from Northeast Public Power Association. Graduates include: Trevor Bissonnette, Nathan A. Campaniello, Robert Clancy, Douglas Farrar, Daniel Follis, Brian Herdman, Jeff LeConte, Raymond J. Melvin, Timothy J. Percy, Trever Snyer, Kenneth Sullivan, and David Sylvia.  ##SHARELINKS##
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2013 began with an ambitious plan to offer as many training programs as could be logistically completed. Dates and minimum attendance numbers were decided upon and sign-ups began. Email notices went out at appropriate times and the programs began to fill up and it became apparent that the new NEPPA Training Center was going to be busy. In addition to the many safety meetings that are held at the member’s site, the following are some of the training sessions held in Littleton.
The Apprentice Lineworker Program ran all 4 classes with the first year class having 15 new students, the second year class returning 12 students, the third year class having 9 students and the fourth year class graduating 12 students. Each class of apprentices meets for four weeks (four- to six-hour days) annually with a two-day Skills Assessment Rodeo added to the schedule. The Apprentice School follows the Northwest Lineman College curriculum for the classroom segment along with a practical set of industry standards for the pole yard segment.
Substation II was offered again this year with 10 students meeting for four four-day weeks. Substation II covers all of the substation equipment such as Relays, Circuit Breakers, Capacitors, and Power Transformers, among many other subjects. This year the program was enhanced by bringing in a Schweitzer Engineer to cover Schweitzer Relays and software and also the generous contribution of an engineer from Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, Mike Coppellotti, who spent a day covering Print Reading. A field trip to the National Grid Control Center was also a highlight of this program.
Due to the demand, both Metering I and Metering II classes were run in 2013. Metering I covers the basics of metering and this year was attended by 8 students for 4 days of training. Metering II (eight days, 18 students) is an advanced metering class and covers metering topics in much greater depth. Electronic meter programming, meter testing, AMR, and AMI are among the subjects covered. The Metering classes are offered on Mondays to allow meter personnel to not miss too many consecutive days at work.
NEPPA also ran several other training sessions. A two-day seminar in October on Crew Leadership was attended by more than 30 participants. A General Foremen's Roundtable was held at the NEPPA Training Center with 37 foremen in attendance. Several Customer Service Department training sessions were also held and the Mutual Aid group held training sessions at various times throughout the year.
Looking forward to the coming year, NEPPA anticipates offering several new training sessions. The State of Massachusetts is now requiring continuing education for those holding Hoisting Licenses and we are exploring the possibility of providing that training. Many of the training topics we offer come from our membership so if you have a need or an idea, please contact the NEPPA Office and let us know your needs. Also, new Audio/Visual equipment has been installed in the training room and should be an enhancement to all of our programs.
2013 has been a very busy and successful year for the NEPPA Training Department. Thank you for your continued support and may 2014 be even better!
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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In This Issue:
Congressional Overview
On Dec. 18, the Senate voted 64-36 to approve the House-passed "Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013" (H.J. Res 59), sending the measure to the President for signature. The two-year budget forged by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) provides modest sequestration relief and reduces the federal deficit by $85 billion over 10 years. The deficit decreases come from a combination of spending cuts, new revenues, and policy changes, but not from tax increases. The bipartisan agreement paves the way for Congress to avoid another government shutdown and pass FY14 appropriations into law by Jan. 15. They also must address raising the federal debt limit, which was not included in the budget deal.
In addition, on Dec. 18 the White House announced that it is naming Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) to be the new U.S. ambassador to China, which means that Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) would likely become the new Finance Chairman several months earlier than he would have if Baucus had completed his current term, through 2014, in office.
The move would cause a change in focus for the ENR Committee. That panel would be chaired next by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who would likely focus more on oil and gas issues than Chairman Wyden did.
To read the complete legislative update including the following topics, click the links below: House Energy Panel Hears From FERC Commissioners, Presses Cyber Concerns
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