NEPPA's 2008 Annual Conference, held at the Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H., on Aug. 10-13, featured an exceptionally strong speaking program, a joint board and membership meeting and regulatory updates from Washington, D.C. New directors and officers were elected, and there was preliminary discussion of the 2009 budget.

In late September, New England will enter a new era in the production and sale of electricity. For the first time ever, allowances for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will be sold on an open market, and the cost of those allowances will (eventually) be added to the price of electricity in our region.

Massachusetts and six other states receiving hydroelectric power from New York are seeking a federal investigation into the causes of multi-million dollar increases in the cost of delivering the power across New York's electric transmission system.

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) has taken the first step in building its green energy portfolio with the signing of an agreement to purchase the assets of Berkshire Wind Power, LLC. WMGLD was one of 14 municipal electric utilities that purchased the assets for $4 million as part of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company's Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative.

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, a cooperative effort between the state's energy companies, their customers and The Salvation Army to help families in temporary financial crisis pay their energy bills, announces that its 2007-2008 "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign surpassed its fundraising goal of $600,000 by raising $963,005.

by Rockie Blunt
No, it's not January 1. I realize it is only September, but for the Training and Education Department, September feels like the beginning of the year. Like most other places of learning, we're getting into the return-to-school mood, and as we prepare for another year of training, the key word is "new" - new training schedules, new courses and the potential of new trainers.

To participants in the third session of the Apprentice Program: a reminder.

Some of the General Liability policy conditions impose obligations on the insured or the insurer, give more detailed explanations of the way in which coverage or limits of insurance will apply, or define specific rights of the insured and insurer at and after the time of an occurrence or claim.

by Rick Dacri
When we prepare to recruit and hire a new person, most of our attention is focused on the recruitment piece: finding the candidates, writing a good ad, and asking the right questions in the interview. But the final step, and maybe the most important one, is extending the job offer and getting the candidate to say "yes."

Sharon Staz, general manager and treasurer of the Kennebunk Light & Power District, was honored by her colleagues as NEPPA's Person of the Year during the 2008 Annual Conference.

This is the association's most prestigious award and is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their sustained, outstanding service and contributions to the entire public power community.

Public Power officials and associates were honored at the NEPPA Annual Conference banquet on Aug. 11 for their contributions to public power and the association. In addition to the "Person of the Year" award given to Sharon Staz, more awards were announced.

Braver
Rubin & Rudman
Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Inc.
Duncan & Allen
Utility Services, LLC
Century Bank
The Energy Authority
Spiegel & McDiarmid
Morgan Meguire, LLC
Energy New England
The Okonite Company
Public Utility Risk Management Association
Integrys
Hometown Connections
FPL Energy Inc.

NEPPA's Benevolent Fund was the beneficiary of the Annual Conference golf putting contest, which was sponsored by NEPPA associate member Utility Services, LLC.

October 2
Board of Directors Meeting
Chocksett Inn, Sterling, Mass

October 3
Annual Membership Meeting
Chocksett Inn, Sterling, Mass

October 21-23
Customer Service Leadership Program
Session 2
Various locations

November 4-6
Customer Service Leadership Program
Session 3
Various locations

November 19-21
Public Utility
Management Program
New England Center
Durham, N.H.

Mark your calendars for
NEPPA's 2009 Annual Conference
September 20-23
Ocean Edge Resort and Club
Brewster, Mass.