Take this quick quiz:
  1. What are the four core components to the electric industry for a public utility?
  2. How many degrees separate the phases in three phase generation?
  3. What does the acronym SMART stand for?
  4. What are the five elements that comprise the basics of communications?
  5. How does the "Rambler" affect group dynamics?
  6. What is the Federal Tax Credit for Distributed Generation Projects?
  7. What area of running a municipal utility does Sarbanes/Oxley impact?
  8. Should you use the phrases "shall," "will" or "may" in your human resources handbook?

If you are a general manager, you should have been able to answer seven out of nine of these questions without referencing any resources. 

If you are a commissioner, you should have been able to answer six out of nine of these questions without referencing any resources.

If you have any management responsibilities at your utilities, you should have been able to answer at least five out of nine of these questions without referencing any resources.

If you attended NEPPA’s Public Utility Management Program last week, you aced this quiz. 


 
Graduates:
  • Anne Olivari – Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant
  • Kathleen Black – Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department
  • Carmen Wilkinson – Madison Electric Works
  • Eric Grover – Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant
  • Patrick Levesque - Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department
  • Craig Spinale – Belmont Municipal Light Department
  • Robin Dimock – Madison Electric Works
 
Maintaining your relevance and grip on the various elements that affect the oversight of a public utility is and should be a continuous learning experience. We are all trusted with performing our jobs to the best of our abilities. This means that we are expected to maintain our relevance; this duty extends to every employee and commissioner.

After 22 years of operating PUMP, NEPPA is now exploring offering CEUs for this and other programs. These CEUs could be used to certify commissioners, managers and other leaders. Why do this? Because the industry has many pathways to Board seats and opportunities for advancement into management. There must be a core knowledge base that those occupying these positions possess for their decision making.

Why NEPPA? Because while the New England public utility market has commonality with other areas, it has unique requirements and attributes. We hope to collaborate with other training and education providers in New England to ensure the most well rounded and highest caliber training for those certified. NEPPA, as the organization created by the public power utilities in New England, ensures quality training and information resources and is uniquely qualified to fulfill this role. In the near future we will publish the core knowledge components for the commissioner, general manager and management roles. 

Please look for further information as we proceed. This will not be a quick process, but it is long overdue.

Congratulations to this spring’s graduates and to all of the participants and instructors over the past 22 years. You have laid the foundation for a stronger industry!



If you haven’t registered for the 2014 Engineering & Operations Conference, hurry and do so! This year’s event is at the Boxborough Holiday Inn, May 14th and 15th. The committee has done an outstanding job in recruiting speakers and vendors. This year’s event will have an Engineering Roundtable. See you there!
Quiz answers:
  1. Operations, Business, Community & Governance & Regulatory
  2. 1200
  3. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound
  4. Sender, Medium, Receiver, Feedback & Barriers
  5. They can detract from focus
  6. 30%
  7. It impacts the financial and management functions through the audit process
  8. No