NEPPA eNewsletter
April 2014
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On Thursday, May 15, 2014, as part of the Engineering and Operations Conference, NEPPA will host an engineering roundtable. Steve Collier from Milsoft Utility Solutions will present on Integrated Metering, Outage Management SCADA, & other Technologies in Today’s Public Power Market. After the presentation, a roundtable on current issues in power engineering will be conducted. This highly collaborative session is considered a must-attend for staff and contract power engineers! To sign up or for more information, please click here!##SHARELINKS##
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
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It is April and no matter what the weather says, it is spring! Spring usually leads to rebirth and change and NEPPA is not immune to change. NEPPA is about to launch our newest member service which will greatly aid all of us with some of today’s emerging issues.
This past year we read about the incident in Northern California where a substation was attacked. The perpetrators cut the cables from a substation that would have sent the alarm to the system monitor and began to shoot at the station. This attack caused FERC and the Federal Government to expand their current focus on cyber security to include physical security. While these discussions and reviews continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly lead to additional changes or requirements for our systems.
The second issue that has been emerging is distributed generation and other sources of power that customers are generating that could have an impact on our systems. Not so much the question of how to account for the system maintenance costs, but more about the safety of unregistered or licensed solar installations, emergency generators or other power sources. These sources can be real hazards to our crews responding to outages or performing general maintenance and metering duties.
Finally, this past year we automated our communications for Mutual Aid and it is has been incredibly helpful. But we can go a step further. There is the capability of getting live visual feeds of outage areas and response activities.
How can we resolve all three of these issues with one new NEPPA program? DRONES! NEPPA is going to invest in a fleet of drones and offer them to our members.
For mutual aid activities these drones can be used either by the program coordinators or the individual utility staff. They will provide a clear understanding of the response status and additional resources needed. They can identify where the outage begins and ends and even traffic issues related to getting to the outage.
These drones can also be used to patrol our systems and identify unauthorized or permitted solar installations and back-up generators. They can easily record the location and then we can proactively protect our field people and notify permitting.
Drones can also be used in our physical security efforts. They can inspect our lines and patrol our plants and substations. This will go above and beyond whatever FERC implements for cyber and physical security standards. If we arm these devices any attacks on our facilities can be immediately responded to by the person in our control room. Heck, with a Taser system we could even cut down on graffiti.
Need to deliver cancellation notices and don’t want to risk personnel harm? No problem! The drone will stick the notice to the door. Vermont munis trying to find the illegal tap-ins by pot greenhouses? No problem. Worried about too many coffee breaks? The drone can be your eyes and ears. NEPPA felt this would be a popular service, so we have purchased one per member utility and will be scheduling one-day training seminars. The quadrocopter drone is equipped with a camera which is pictured below. The Taser or other devices are easily mounted to the underside of the drone.
 The cost will be about $1,800 per unit and $100 per person for the training. Mike Cloutier from Groveland has already ordered five equipped with Tasers. We have had a request from John Tzimorangas for one that is small enough to fit in a golf bag. Sharon Staz (our Legislative Affairs Chair) will be implementing the use of the NEPPA drones to monitor and coordinate the annual DC office visits. We are also looking into making the drones available to vendors.
I personally plan to use one to monitor the ISO New England offices and figure out what all of those people actually do.
So, hurry and get your order today!
Happy April 1st!
On a more serious note, I just want to congratulate Sue Kelly on her new position as President of APPA and wish Mark Crisson well on his retirement. Thank you for your service to public power.
Thank you to all of the General Managers and Commissioners that participated in our 2014 Hill visits. Your participation made a difference. Please make sure to read Sharon Staz’s column on the 2014 Rally in this issue of Newsline.
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AROUND NEW ENGLAND
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Vermont Public Power Supply Authority ("VPPSA") announces the designation of Gregory Morse as Assistant Director of Power Supply & Transmission. "I am very pleased to make this announcement," said VPPSA General Manager David Mullett. "In his four-plus years with us, Greg has worked effectively with VPPSA staff, VPPSA’s twelve municipal member systems and a number of other entities toward securing and integrating a stable and long-term portfolio of power supply and market products. Greg has also demonstrated professional commitment to the VPPSA’s organizational goals in risk management, obtaining individual membership with the Global Association of Risk Professionals® and achieving certification as an Energy Risk Professional®. We look forward to Greg continuing to bring broad knowledge and experience to the Authority’s current efforts and future business initiatives."
Contact: David Mullett, General Manager, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
802-882-8500
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After 26 years of employment here in the Town of Ipswich, Mr. Tim Henry has officially retired from the Ipswich Utilities Department.
The Town wishes him the best in all his future endeavors!
If you require assistance on a Utilities related matter please feel free to contact the following individuals:
Business Operations
Mark Cousins – Business Manager
978-356-6635 x2105
Electric Operations
Gerry Cavanaugh – Electric Operations Manager
gcavanaugh@ipswichutilities.org 978-356-6635 x2113
Water & Wastewater Operations
Vicki Halmen – Water & Wastewater Manager
vhalmen@ipswichutilities.org 978-356-6635 x2108
In addition, please note that Robin Crosbie, Ipswich Town Manager, has been appointed Interim Utilities Director.
Should you need additional assistance beyond the three individuals listed above, please contact the Town Manager’s office at 978-356-6609.
Just a reminder that Ipswich has hired a new Electric Light Manager, Don Newell! To read more about Don, please click here! ##SHARELINKS##
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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
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March Madness has nothing over the Northeast Public Power Associations legislative efforts when it comes to fast-paced, high-scoring and prominent presentations crammed into a three-day period!
Over 33 NEPPA members and representatives met with 31 congressional offices between the 10th and 13th of March to bring New England’s public power message to the Hill. Meeting with Senators and Congressmen the delegation emphasized that the rising electricity prices in New England are harmful to the economy as well as to our citizen consumers. The message that the market just isn’t a market and isn’t working was repeated in numerous venues. Though some carried messages concerning their states as well as the NEPPA message all covered the following items:
Through the New Hampshire Electric Co-Ops great relationship with Senator Shaheen’s office, NEPPA secured the Senator’s willingness to take the lead on a letter to FERC asking the Commission to fairly investigate all proposals regarding forward capacity markets that are before them. NEPPA’s Washington lobbyists are shepherding this effort, refining the message of the letter while working with APPA to make sure our delegation is carrying the right signal to the FERC Commissioners.
And going the extra mile on our behalf, Brian Forshaw participated in a panel on Thursday to give a briefing targeted toward House staff to educate them on our concerns with the energy markets and why they aren’t working. Jolene Thompson of AMP Ohio and Elise Kaplan of APPA rounded out the panel.
Spearheaded by the Legislative Committee, a huge thank you is due to everyone who participated in the Rally and helped make our visits a success. Larry Brownell did an outstanding job of co-coordinating the Hill visits and our DC colleagues at Morgan Meguire, Lori Pickford and Elizabeth Kelsey, kept us on point every step of the way.
For more information feel free to contact Sharon A. Staz, Chair, Legislative Committee at sastaz@klpd.org.
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Washington, D.C., January 29, 2014 – Today the American Public Power Association (APPA) Board of Directors appointed Sue Kelly as the organization’s new President and CEO to succeed Mark Crisson effective April 1. Kelly has served with APPA since 2004 and is currently General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Policy Analysis. She has extensive experience as an attorney dealing with federal regulation, particularly before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and is generally regarded as one of the top practitioners in that arena.
"Sue Kelly is an exceptional leader with a demonstrated commitment to public power. Her extensive industry knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, and record of achievement have earned her the respect of APPA’s membership, her industry colleagues, and federal regulators," said Gary Stauffer, APPA Board Chair and Executive Director of NMPP Energy in Lincoln, Neb. "The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Sue and has every confidence that she will successfully lead APPA and its members through the challenges that lie ahead."
"I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me and to have this opportunity to lead an organization that is so vital to the interests of public power," said Kelly. "I am also excited at the prospect of leading such a top-notch team of professionals here at APPA. As President and CEO, I will be committed to building on our recent achievements and to taking steps to further strengthen the public power business model," she said.
APPA is the trade association serving the nation’s 2000 public power systems in 49 states. Its members serve a population of over 47 million people, representing approximately 15 percent of all power customers in the U.S. They are locally owned and controlled and operate on a not-for-profit basis.
Kelly’s work experience prior to joining APPA included stints with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and two Washington law firms, Miller, Balis and O’Neil, P.C., and Crowell and Moring. She earned a B.A. from the University of Missouri and J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.
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There were 34 attendees representing 18 municipal utilities across Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. With such a good response, it was decided to break everyone into four smaller groups to foster dialogue among the topics covered. After small group discussions, the group leaders were asked to share their points of view with the larger audience and then discuss further. Everyone was again re-assigned a different small group to repeat the process with new topics.
Credit topics:
Collections topics:
Utility representatives were requested to bring sample customer notices and / or form letters which were scanned and sent to attendees later in an email.
Overall, the attendees appeared to like the format because they could interact with people they didn't know and had more personal discussions pertaining to Credit Collections topics. In general, attendees of ‘roundtable’ experiences find it very helpful to learn how other utilities perform their credit collection practices.
   Scott Munn, from ONLINE Utility Exchange, sponsored the event The Customer Service Committee is scheduled to have our Annual Customer Service Conference at the Hawthorne Hotel, Located in Salem, MA on September 10, 2014. Please keep an eye out for more information this summer!
Joe Sollecito has announced that after seven years as Chairperson of NEPPA’s Customer Service Committee, he has decided to step down. Maureen Hanifan from Reading Municipal Light Department has agreed to accept the Chairperson’s role. Maureen will be looking to recruit new members for the Customer Service Committee. If you are interested, please contact Maureen at (781) 942-6480.
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In the 2013 April edition of our e-newsline we began doing a feature on the Utilities and Affiliate Member’s that have generously donated to the NEPPA Training Center or has had a part in NEPPA’s move. This month we will recognize Hendrix Wire & Cable, Inc.
Robin Jowders, who is a Sales Representative at Hendrix Wire & Cable, Inc., located in Milford, NH, goes on to say:
"Hendrix is honored to be part of NEPPA and their new facility. This state of the art facility offers significant resources for training and education. The classrooms and training yards were well-designed and built to simulate real-life scenarios. The new location in Littleton, MA, is ideal for easy access. Hendrix takes significant pride in our association with NEPPA and all of the members. We look forward to our continued relationship with the NEPPA organization."
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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, Mass., 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 TWI as a new Corporate Member! TWI handles electronic billing, payment processing, and customer communication solutions for utilities. The company is located at 1080 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24063. The primary contact person is Bentley Claudon, who is their Marketing Coordinator. Bentley can be reached at bclaudon@summation360.com or 540.951.6468 (phone).
Burke and Foskett, LLC, became a Corporate Member of NEPPA on Tuesday, February 11, 2014! Burke and Foskett, LLC, is a law firm. The company is located at 738 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043. The primary contact person is Diedre Lawrence. She can be reached at dlawrence@burkeandfoskett.com or 781.740.7200 (phone).
NEPPA also welcomes RBG Inc. as a new Associate Member! RBG Inc handles sales and service of hydraulic equipment, bucket trucks, and cranes. Their company is located at 317 Route 27, Raymond, NH 03077. Their primary contact is Linda Girard, who is the Vice President of the company. She can be reached at lindag@raymondbucketguys.com, by phone at 603.895.3803 or by fax at 603.895.4866.
SpryPoint became a Corporate Member of NEPPA on Monday, March 24, 2014! SpryPoint is a work order software and consulting service. Their company is located at 49 Pownal Street, Suite 301, Charlottetown, PE C1A3W2. Their primary contact is Kyle Strang, who is a Principal at the company. He can be reached at kstrang@sprypoint.com, or by phone at 902.476.7930. ##SHARELINKS##
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CALENDAR
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This year’s E & O conference is scheduled to take place at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro, Mass., on May 14 and 15. We encourage General Foremen, line workers and General Managers to attend this annual event that brings together the latest in products and technology for our municipal membership. On the 14th, in addition to the exhibits, there will be an opportunity for our members to be kept up to date on the issues of cyber security, hoisting license requirements, metering and revenue protection, and LED lighting.
During the afternoon and in addition to the vendor booths, there will be a demonstration on ropes followed by a presentation of Storm Soldiers, a short film about the "men who all make it happen" in what is a job constantly listed in the top 10 for most dangerous. Please use this link for more information: http://www.stormsoldiersmovie.com/.
We’ll wrap up the day with raffles and a reception featuring ex Red Sox Lou Merloni who will sign autographs and stay for pictures.
On Thursday the 15th there will be a safety summit and roundtable discussion focused on OSHA's federal and state purviews in relation to municipal utilities. This will run concurrently with the Engineering Roundtable. Steve Collier, VP of Business Development at Milsoft Utility Solutions, will keep our Engineers current on "the Rewards of Integrating Metering, Outage Management, SCADA and Other Technologies in Today’s Public Power Market." Collier has more than 30 years in the energy, telecommunications and IT businesses in the U.S. and abroad. He has his BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Houston and Purdue University, respectively.
Please join us for this interesting cross-section of learning, networking and connecting with your peers!
Registration is now open! For more information or to register, please click here! ##SHARELINKS##
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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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NEPPA will offer the Public Utility Management Program April 23-25, at the Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook, Conn. The spring curriculum will include sessions on operations basics, an industry overview, evaluating your public communications, understanding and interacting with your Board, strategic and succession planning, human resources & human resources handbooks, and understanding and managing group dynamics.
The program is designed for lighting board members, general managers and staff moving into management functions of public utilities. It touches on all of the elements related to operating a public utility. The program is designed so that attending two consecutive sessions will produce a solid 360 degree look at the industry.
Since the program is focused on interaction with expert speakers, the attendance is limited to a maximum of 20 attendees for each session.
The program is a great continuing education resource for managers and board members to keep abreast of the current trends in the industry.
What is the best way to prepare a new lighting commissioner for their role? Attend PUMP with them! This gives you the opportunity to give your commissioner the knowledge they need about the industry and for you to discuss your individual utility’s unique circumstance. Registration is now open!! To register, or to get more information, please click here! ##SHARELINKS##
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EDUCATION & TRAINING UPDATE
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The General Foreman’s Roundtable held on March 19, 2014, at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Massachusetts, started off with an in-depth presentation by Mass DOT representatives that covered Work Zone Safety requirements. The discussion was focused around the requirements of Mass DOT for all municipalities working on State Highways. The subject of "Permits" was also covered with a great deal of information that is needed to set up safe work zones. It was also mentioned that even on local streets and highways; the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices is to be adhered to when setting up all the necessary cones and signs.
The next session on the agenda was a presentation by the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Safety that centered on the new requirements of the Mass. Hoisting License regulations. It was presented that there are four distinct classes of Hoisting Licenses:
Of special interest, Class 4B covers "Drilling Rig" which includes any boom truck that uses an auger to drill a hole into the ground. The "continuing education" requirements were discussed and NEPPA is rigorously pursuing approval of a class for 1B and 2A "continuing education" training. It was also stated that the department is renewing its’ interest in conducting inspections. A one-hour window to report accidents involving hoisting equipment was emphasized.
After lunch, Jody Stockwell along with Pam Hamilton presented a short discussion on the new Stuart Irby venture into rubber glove testing. The facility will be located in West Boylston and should open in May.
The very full day finished with a preview of a new NEPPA program being developed to be offered soon called "Qualified Employee." Stay tuned as this is required training that each utility must provide to each employee that will be expected to work on live parts.
NEPPA plans on hosting the next GF Roundtable on Oct. 1, 2014, and is always interested in topics that are relevant to all its members. If you have any items or ideas that may be of interest to the group, please contact Steve Socoby at the NEPPA office for inclusion in one of the upcoming meetings. He can be reached at ssocoby@neppa.org or 978.540.2200.     ##SHARELINKS##
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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In This Issue:
CFTC Grants Public Power Petition on Sub-Threshold
On March 21, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a temporary No-Action Letter that effectively implements the changes sought by the "Public Power Risk Management Act." However, because it is not codified in law, APPA and others will continue to encourage CFTC to issue a formal rule and also push for enactment of S. 1802/H.R. 1038 on Capitol Hill. Municipal utilities are cautiously optimistic that the development could bring lost counter-parties back to the table immediately. The CFTC still plans to discuss the issue at an April 3 Roundtable on energy end-user issues, including the $25 million sub-threshold for "Special Entities," including municipal utilities.
To read the complete legislative update including the following topics, click the links below: ##SHARELINKS##
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THE LEARNING CORNER
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Everyone knows this has been a long, cold winter, and for many this is more than just an inconvenience. Greater numbers of our customers are having a hard time paying their heating and/or utility bills. Does your company do anything to offer assistance? Examples could be anything from donating to local fuel assistance/weatherization programs or charities, setting up flexible repayment plans, implementing low-income based rate discounts, or any other program that helps out those in need. Please share your experiences so we all can do a better job.
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