While there is a growing consensus that climate change legislation is likely to be passed by the United States Congress during the next few years, the details of that legislation will have enormous implications for public power systems around the country. It will likely be difficult, if not impossible, for a public power industry "consensus" to emerge on a CO2 cap-and-trade program.

In its ongoing efforts to reform wholesale electric markets, the American Public Power Association has created the Campaign for Fair Electric Rates, a grassroots advocacy program focused on educating consumers, businesses and members of Congress on the problems in wholesale electric markets operated by regional transmission organizations

The Pascoag Utility District celebrated with the ribbon cutting of Well Number 5, which will supply the District with approximately one third of its required water supply while working to return Wells 3 and 3A to their former pumping capacity.

Effective February 11, 2008, David McCarthy joined The Okonite Company as District Manager in the the Hartford District.

VERTEX Construction Services, Inc
IBEW LU #104
Underground Devices

The 2008 NEPPA Safety and Operations Conference will feature Danny L. Raines, distribution and transmission safety consultant and founder of Raines Utility Safety Solutions, LCC. He will open the program with a keynote address and will also lead a discussion roundtable on root cause analysis of accidents.

 Lineworker Pre-Qualification Program
May 5 & 6, 2008: NEPPA Training Facility, Pascoag, RI
A two-day program to assess the skills of potential apprentice lineworker candidates.  Assessments will include math, mechanical, and climbing skills.  Candidates will also be introduced to tool identification and usage, ropes and rigging, personal protective equipment, and bucket truck usage.
To register participants, please contact Sharon McDonald at 508.482.5906 or
smcdonald@neppa.org

PURMA and PUMIC RRG Annual Members Meetings
April 24 - 25
Hilton Burlington Hotel
Burlington, Vermont

Liability
An insurance coverage with which most people are familiar is general liability. Liability loss exposures arise out of legal wrongs: tort, crime, and breach of contract.

NEPPA has taken another important step forward in the implementation of its strategic plan by retaining the services of training consultant Rockie Blunt. Beginning on April 7, Blunt will join the association as a part-time training consultant...

NEPPA will host a discussion roundtable on May 7 for human resource professionals and personnel managers who are responsible for the administration of employment laws and practices in their organizations.

The NEPPA Board of Directors has formally approved the President's appointments to two new NEPPA committees, which were established as a result of the association’s 2007 strategic plan. The Audit Committee, comprised of three members of the Board of Directors, has been assigned the following responsibilities:

April 8 - 11 - Apprentice Lineworker I
Pascoag, R.I.

April 10 - 11 - Customer Relations Conference
Renaissance Hotel, Providence, R.I

April 15 - 17 - Crew Leadership
Milford, Mass.

April 29 - May 2 - Apprentice Lineworker ll
Pascoag, R.I.

May 5 & 6 - Lineworker Prequalification Program
Pascoag, R.I

May 7 - Human Resources Roundtable
TBD

May 9 - Public Communications Meeting 
10:30 a.m. , NEPPA Office, Milford, Mass.

May 13 - 15 - Substation Program
Pascoag, R.I.

May 20 - 22 - Advanced Lineworker
Pascoag, R.I.

May 27 - 30 - Apprentice Lineworker III
Pascoag, R.I.

June 10 - 11, 2008 - Safety & Operations Conference
Boxboro, Mass.

June 11 - General Foreman/Crew Leader Roundtable
Boxboro, Mass.

August 10-13, 2008 - Annual Conference
Mt. Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, N.H.

September 11 - General Foreman/Crew Leader Roundtable
TBA

October 3 - Annual Membership Meeting
Chocksett Inn, Sterling, Mass.
 
November 17-19 - Public Utility Management Program
New England Center, Durham N.H