TMEPA Overlook

As mentioned last month, The Oak Ridge Electric Department and Tennessee JT&S, with the aid of TVPPA are hosting an underground distribution event. On January 26, 2017 instructors, vendors, designers and constructors will gather at the Civic Center in Oak Ridge for an event designed to provide quality education, showcase technology and promote exchange of ideas and information.

The event, called the "East Tennessee Underground Distribution Roundup", was developed from an idea pitched to Electric Director Jack Suggs by members of the Department. "Employees from across the Department were interested in attending an event focused on Underground Distribution where they could see and handle the best tools, supplies, equipment and parts used in our industry today," he said.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/UG_News_Release.pdf to view the full article online.

Many of us can remember a time when it was common for people to ride in a car without wearing a sea tbelt. In an effort to improve highway safety, statistics were published highlighting the higher rate of injury and death in automobile accidents in which the passengers were not wearing seat belts. Despite the ad campaigns to increase awareness of the risk of not wearing seat belts, few people changed their behavior, because they just didn’t like the inconvenience or discomfort of wearing a seat belt. Some even argued that seat belts could cause injuries in an accident. My dad said that he didn’t wear his seat belt because some people had been trapped underwater by their seat belt and drowned. I always thought that was odd, since we did not live near a significant body of water.

So, if the risk of death or injury did not change behavior, what did change behavior?

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/SecurIT360_TMEPAOverlook.1.13.17.pdf to view the full article online.

The articles we share each month in The Overlook focus on helping you improve your communications program — both internal and external. But it’s difficult to reach your communications goals without a good understanding of where you are now. Before you dive into your 2017 plans, it’s worth taking the time to see where your communication program stands today.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=420723&issueID=51930 to view the full article online.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has promised to do away with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, eliminate the Waters of the United States final rule, and make other changes in the nation’s energy sector, including withdrawing from the international climate change accord that was reached in Paris, France, in December 2015. On Nov. 22, the president-elect seemed to slightly moderate his stance on climate change. In an interview with editors at the New York Times, Trump said "that he would ‘keep an open mind’ about whether to pull the United States out" of the Paris agreement, the Times reported. "I’m looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it," the president-elect said. Click on the link below for more on the CPC and the incoming Administration.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/APPA_Washington_Report_January_2017_FINAL.pdf to view the full article online.

In 2015, the American Public Power Association adopted a new three-year strategic plan. One important element is "Raising Awareness of Public Power", stated Sue Kelly. We are taking a two-pronged approach to that initiative. First, we are working with our utility members to provide them with tools that they can use to raise their profiles in the communities they serve — this will be a key initiative in 2017. Research we did in 2016 shows that only 1 in 5 customers served by public power utilities knows what public power is. If you don’t even know you are served by a public power utility, it is hard to appreciate the value of that utility.

The second way we are raising awareness of public power is by elevating the profile of the Association itself. We reviewed our brand in 2016, with the help of outside experts and focus groups both inside and outside the Washington, DC region. We’re pleased to share the results with you.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/New_brand_for_the_American_Public_Power_Association.pdf to view the full article online.

January 9, 2017 – Hometown Connections and Wortham Power Gen Insurance have added the brokerage firm’s Assurance for Regulated Utilities (ARGUS) property insurance program to their national public power insurance marketing program. Wortham Power Gen launched ARGUS in 2015 and is currently serving 16 public power utilities in 9 states. Going forward, ARGUS will fall under the Hometown/Wortham umbrella, promoting ARGUS to the approximately 250 members of the American Public Power Association (APPA) that own and insure greater than 20MW of generation assets. Click on the link below for more information.

Visit http://www.hometownconnections.com/news/hometown-connections-wortham-power-gen-insurance-announce-property-insurance-savings-for-public-power/ to view the full article online.

Now that the 110th General Assembly has convened, or rather will reconvene on January 30, The TMEPA Daily News Clip Service is a valuable tool to keep up with what's happening. Staff will be focusing especially on legislation that makes the papers, happenings in Nashville and movement of our own bills. We routinely view hundreds of newspaper articles each day, 7 days a week, "clip" those we believe are of interest to TMEPA members and send them out, most days by 8:00 a.m. (Central). You can also see the current and past 6 days on our website. If you don't receive the clips and would like to, just send an email to any of the staff and we'll add you to the list (mvinson@tmepa.org, susans@tmepa.org or jelrod@tmepa.org). Click on the link below to see the articles for today and the last 6 days.

Visit http://www.tmepa.org/newspaperclips.htm to view the full article online.

Happy New Year, all! And thanks again for the opportunity to share with you the musings of a former member of your utility service family, now retired but still running. Well, not literally running... just busy as ever. I must confess I do not even a little bit miss the airports, hotels, rental car kiosks, fast food, and slow food. Nor do care to replicate anymore harrowing experiences like driving from Corinth, Mississippi to Huntsville, Alabama on a sheet of ice, or from Jamestown to Fargo, North Dakota during whiteout conditions, taking almost four hours to drive 100 miles.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=420475&issueID=51930 to view the full article online.

It’s almost time for our annual trip to D.C. to participate in the Public Power Legislative Rally. This year will be returning to the Mayflower Renaissance Washington which first opened its doors over 90 years ago. Both the House and Congress will be in session this year, unlike the last two years. Unless you tell us different, we’ll go ahead and make appointments with Tennessee Representative for, hopefully, Tuesday, February 28. TVPPA will handle making an appointment with our Senators. Click below for more information.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/APPA_Legislative_Rally_2017.pdf to view the full article online.

The JT&S program has been around for over four decades. We have strived to provide quality and effective training in job skills and safety categories for 80 separate utilities across the state. One of the greatest pleasures that I received as Coordinator of the program is hearing from employees who attended one of our safety meetings, workshops, or schools and have been able to avoid or prevent an accident or injury for themselves or one of the coworkers. Knowing that we are affecting the men and women who work in these utilities and their families in a positive way is what we all strive for. The entire staff, our five instructors, our administrative assistant, myself, and all of our guest speakers and lectures are dedicated to ensuring that each of the employees of the utilities that we serve go home to their families and loved ones at the end of the day and in at least as good a shape as they came in that morning.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/JT&S_tmepa_article.pdf to view the full article online.

At noon last Tuesday, the State Capitol welcomed back the state’s senators and representatives as the legislature gaveled in the 110th General Assembly. There were ceremonies, oaths of office taken, and the state elected a new Lieutenant Governor.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=420720&issueID=51930 to view the full article online.

On Tuesday, February 14th, TMEPA members will converge in Nashville at the Hermitage Hotel to talk with senators and representatives about issues important to Tennessee's municipal electric utilities. First will be a buffet luncheon and rally meeting, keynoted by a member of the legislature's leadership. In the afternoon system managers, staff and board members meet with legislators in their offices to discuss the most pressing pieces of legislation before the legislature, followed by a legislative reception as TMEPA honors the legislators and staff of the 110th General Assembly. Click on the link for the agenda for the day.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/TMEPA_Legislative_Rally_Agenda_2017.pdf to view the full article online.

Greeneville Light & Power System (GL&PS) was created by the Town of Greeneville, Tennessee in the spring of 1945. At that time a for-profit company, East Tennessee Electric Company, was providing electric service to Greeneville and to small parts of Greene County. Local leaders created GL&PS specifically to make power generated by the then relatively new Tennessee Valley Authority available to the citizens of Greeneville and Greene County. As part of this transition to public power, the Town of Greeneville issued bonds to purchase appropriate power distribution facilities from the private entity.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Greeneville.pdf to view the full article online.

Have an important meeting or event coming to your town? Let us know and we'll put it on the TMEPA Calendar. Stay up to date with all the TMEPA meetings and other events around the state and even nationally for TMEPA Member Systems.

Visit http://www.tmepa.org/MeetingsEvents.htm to view the full article online.

Weakley County Municipal Electric System is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineer. This position requires, as a minimum, a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited university, and 5 years’ experience in power system engineering.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=419055&issueID=51930 to view the full article online.

The City of Sparta, Tennessee is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Lineman with the Sparta Electric System. Sparta is located 90 miles east of Nashville, TN, 95 miles west of Knoxville, TN and 80 miles north of Chattanooga, TN. The service territory includes a 6.3 square mile service area with approximately 3,000 meters.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=419754&issueID=51930 to view the full article online.

TMEPA is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director due to the current Executive Director’s pending retirement on July 31, 2017. TMEPA seeks an Executive Director with the skills to provide leadership, direction and support for the association’s primary mission to create and foster an environment that will contribute to the welfare, common good and overall effort of the state’s municipally owned electric systems and to satisfy the purposes set forth in the bylaws of the association.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/TMEPA_Executive_Director_Job_Posting1.pdf to view the full article online.

Allen Robbins became the General Manager of Sevier County Electric System on August 9, 2016. Barely four months into his tenure, Sevier County suffered one of the most devastating events imaginable. "When I went to work on Monday morning, November 28, 2016, Sevier County Electric System served approximately 56,500 customers. By the end of the day nearly 3,000 of those customer accounts no longer existed," said Robbins.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/BAPTISM_BY_FIRE.pdf to view the full article online.

Yes it’s true, I have decided to retire. Last Friday, I sent the following email to the Member System Managers.

"As a few of you may have heard by that notable muni grapevine, I will be retiring from TMEPA on July 28, 2017. At that time I will have served as your Executive Director for a little over 14 years. I have greatly enjoyed working with each of you, your staff and many of your employees and board members over these years. You’re support has been remarkable and a true blessing. It’s been a great 14 years for myself and my wife......

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Mike_Vinson_Retiring_as_Executive_Director_of_TMEPA.pdf to view the full article online.