NEPPA brings a small but strong contingent to DC

NEPPA’s hill visit this year was more like a Seal Team 6 mission. Traditionally NEPPA has a large contingent from our states and we are marshaled by the great leadership of Sharon Staz and the folks of Morgan Meguire, but because the rally was moved to March this year our member attendance was slightly down. Unfortunately, our fearless commander (Sharon) was not able to attend either.

This left NEPPA with a small but strong contingent. We were stealthily guided from meeting to meeting by the good folks at Morgan Meguire and overall the sessions were very successful. This year there was not an immediate fire for us to bring to our meetings so we focused on very important issues which included:

· Financing Clean Energy and Infrastructure

· Cyber Security

· Hydropower Reform

· Dodd-Frank

· Transmission Incentive Rates

· LIHEAP Appropriations

We were well prepared. Sharon and Morgan Meguire conducted several conference calls leading up to the event to hone our messages and we conducted our traditional breakfast briefing before everyone took to the hill.

We began by attending the APPA L & R Committee (chaired by our Barbara Grimes). At the meeting we seconded and co-sponsored a motion on a resolution addressing transmission rate incentives. NEPPA has long been a proponent of the positions that were put forth in the draft. We continue to promote our positions on incentives in our legislative meetings and meetings with the FERC Commissioners. Three of our contingent met with new Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur and Vinnie Cameron participated in meetings with Commissioners John Norris and Phil Moeller.

Our small contingent was able to meet with 12 Massachusetts congressional officers including an in-person with Senator Brown. Mike Kirkwood was able to meet with both senators and house reps from Rhode Island and I was lucky enough to accompany him on two of these meetings. Mike may have missed his calling. His comfort and skill at communication with the Rhode Island leaders was quite impressive. Judy Gove was equally successful and skilled with the New Hampshire leaders – meeting with Sens. Kelly Ayotte and Jeanne Shaheen, as well as staff to Rep. Frank Quinta and Charlie Bass, a key member of the energy and commerce committee.

I believe that all our meetings were quite successful and that we have motivated some movement on our key issues. I would like to thank all of our member participants and encourage everyone to consider participating in 2013. Our issues are slightly different from those of different regions of the country and unless we continue to communicate with legislators and regulators they will not understand our needs.

I would also like to strongly encourage all of the New England groups to participate as one community. It is crucial to our efforts that we appear unified and that we minimize side issues when we conduct our visits. I encourage groups with additional issues to schedule visits at different times of the year or when our leaders are back in their communities to address separate topics. This will keep public power on their radar and reduce any conflicting messages during our once-a-year rally.

What we do every year in DC is important and impacts public power in the Northeast. If you are a leader at your utility or in the industry, you should get involved.