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Past Issues/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Share with a Friend | Employment | neppa.org | Legislative Update | Advertise February 2016
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
"One of the greatest challenges – and most valuable assets – in business is the ability to change effectively. [David] Bowie was a master of change, a performing chameleon. He changed his music over time, ranging from folk rock to glam to disco to hard rock to dance pop to electric jazz, and virtually everything in-between. His videos included a Christmas duet with Bing Crosby and a blistering version of ‘Dancing in the Streets’ with Mick Jagger."
– Benefitspro.com
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AROUND NEW ENGLAND
Vermont’s Public Service Board in January approved a plan to build a 1,000-megawatt transmission line running underwater and underground between the Canadian border and Ludlow, Vt.
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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
NEPPA welcomed three utility members in January – North Attleborough (Massachusetts) Electric Department, Norwood (Massachusetts) Municipal Light Department, and the Village of Northfield (Vermont) Electric Department. Norwood and Northfield are first-time NEPPA members, while North Attleborough is a returning member.
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We’re pleased to welcome three new Associate members who joined NEPPA in January – A.A. MacPherson Co., Inc., Netwatch, and Utilitricians.
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Don’t miss our Engineering Kickoff to be held March 16 at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton. Hosted by NEPPA’s Engineering Committee, the kickoff features three speakers, plus a drone demonstration. This free event also includes a Continental breakfast, lunch, and the chance to network and brainstorm future topics. Find more details here and register now.

 
The Keene State College OHSA Training Institute Education Center, a NEPPA associate member, for the first time is holding a course at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Mass. The four-day Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction runs March 14-17, and is open to NEPPA members and non-members alike. Prerequisites apply, and pre-registration is required. Learn more or register.

 
Associate Member AvCom, Inc. is partnering with Power Monitors, Inc. to present a seminar on power quality issues on March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., including lunch, at the NEPPA Training Center, Littleton, Mass.

The seminar is aimed at both power monitor equipment users and anyone concerned with solving power quality issues. Topics will include how to identify and record basic problems such as low voltage and flicker, along more complex issues such as transients and harmonics. Register by emailing Fred Avila at favila@avcomsolutions.com.

 
CALENDAR
March 29 - April 1
April 12 - 15
May 3 - 6
May 24 - 27

This 16-day program will combine classroom instruction with hands-on, practical applications in the field. The class will be held at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Mass., and in our new substation training area. Click here to learn more.
 
March 28
April 11
May 2
May 23
September 19
October 3
November 14
December 5

This 8-day program will provide an in-depth review of advanced metering concepts, technologies and applications for public power meter professionals.The class will be held at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Mass. Click here to learn more.
 
February 29
March 21

This 4-day program will cover: metering safety, an intro to metering, mathematics for metering personnel, demand metering, basic electrical circuits, basic electrical theory, self-contained versus transformer rated meters, and an intro to solid state meters.The classes will be held at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton, Mass. Click here to learn more.
 
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On Jan. 27, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) brought S. 2012, the broad-ranging energy policy bill reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last summer, to the floor for consideration by the full Senate.
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On Jan. 25, the Supreme Court handed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a victory by overturning a lower court ruling that the Agency lacked authority to regulate demand response (DR) at the wholesale level, in Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) v. FERC.
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On Jan. 21, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected requests to put the Obama Administration’s signature climate initiative, the Clean Power Plan, on hold while it reviews challenges to the regulation.
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On Dec. 4, 2015, Grid Assurance LLC – a company created by AEP, Berkshire Hathaway, Edison Transmission, Eversource, Exelon, and Southern Company – filed a petition at FERC seeking a declaratory order on proposed rate treatments for the spare transformer equipment services it plans to offer electric utilities. Comments were due to the Commission on Dec. 28, 2015.
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On Jan. 21, FERC Commissioner Tony Clark announced his decision to retire from the agency effective at the end of this year or when a successor is confirmed.
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Sempra Energy Trading
Baron USA, Inc.
SGC Engineering, LLC
WESCO Distribution Inc.
Workplace Safety Soutions, Inc
National Information Solutions Cooperative

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