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We conducted our first training events this past month in our new Littleton Training Center. The building itself and the training rooms are finished with some minor touch-ups still to be done, but this did not stop us from hosting a General Foremen’s roundtable, Apprentice I and Advanced Crew.

We will host our Grand Opening on November 9^th at our Annual Membership meeting. This will give us enough time to complete the office build and move. Next month I will acknowledge all of the great contributions we have received from our affiliate and utility members. If you would like to either contribute or assist in the outfitting of our new center, please let me know.

For the next couple of months many of us will be focused on the elections. Our Legislative Committee and Morgan Meguire will concentrate on the federal level while many of you will also be carefully monitoring your state and local contests. Will Congress come back in September and be able to collaborate enough to move on any real legislation? This is a concern of ours as we continue to monitor movement on cyber security. I was actually surprised that the Senate could move as far as they did before break.

The movement on cyber security troubles me as it shows that it was not so much the substance of the measure that hill offices were looking at as the media-friendly wrapping. Our industry has raised some legitimate concerns about the initiative and the conflicts that it could create. I think that we may have some resolve before it proceeds any further and encourage you to read the recent Legislative Updates for more information.

As much as NEPPA focuses on the federal issues, we recognize that state and local issues often have more impact on what you do on a day to day basis. They can affect your budgets and operating plans. What are the state and local issues that you are facing in November? I encourage our members and state action agencies to send me write-ups on the issues that are being posed this fall. Please send them in a format that outlines the issue that voters will decide on and the potential effects on utilities. This may be a very helpful snapshot for all of us; it can help us identify trends that are emerging and share key tips in responding.

For anyone looking for management or commissioner education this fall, we are conducting the second segment of our Public Utility Management Program at the Cranwell in November. For 20 years this has been the place to go for solid management and leader training. This fall’s program includes sessions on financial management and contract basics for utilities as well as technology sessions and other key management elements. If interested please contact the NEPPA offices.

I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible in Sunday River!