From the Desk of Executive Director Richard Putnicki
As we all get ready to celebrate our great country’s birthday this weekend – which looks and feels much different than previous years – I want to thank all of our members for navigating the challenges and keeping this country powered ON in a safe and reliable fashion!
As we watch our industry provide the best solutions for tomorrow, RMEL is right there with you all. I’ve got a lot of information to share, so I’ll get right to it.
Download Webinar Recordings Today
First, I know schedules and commitments do not always allow members to participate in certain events and activities. Did you miss a webinar you were wanting to see? No worries! All members can sign up for our COMPLIMENTARY downloads from the webinars we’ve already provided this year. You can do that today, and share those resources with colleagues at your company. Remember, you're a member if your company is a member (see the list of RMEL member companies).
2020 VIRTUAL Fall Convention Details Coming Soon!
Second, look for some big, exciting announcements about the VIRTUAL 2020 Fall Convention soon! This convention has been a longstanding RMEL tradition since our beginning in 1903! We are looking forward to taking this event into its next era of virtual education and networking as we continue to address the top, executive-level strategic challenges of today and the future of electric energy!
Recognize Leadership with an RMEL Award
Nomination Deadline: July 31, 2020
Great people, hard work and leadership have been rising up over these past few months. Recognize someone who is leading the way for others! You can nominate a colleague to receive a 2020 RMEL Award! There are several different types of awards to check out here.
Help Grow the Industry by Donating and Participating in the 2020 RMEL Foundation Auction
Donation Deadline: Aug. 28 (exact Auction times to be announced at a later date)
It wouldn’t be an RMEL Fall Convention without an Auction! This year is no different! We are going to continue the tradition and accompany the 2020 Fall Convention with our first VIRTUAL RMEL FOUNDATION AUCTION! Like any year, the Foundation Auction is only successful through the generosity of the RMEL membership. That starts with the donation of quality items from our members to be auctioned off. This allows the RMEL Foundation to annually provide students pursuing electric energy careers with deserving scholarship dollars! Over the past 20 years, 407 scholarships have been awarded totaling more than $935,500. Your support is needed to continue the Foundation's scholarship efforts, especially through these unusual times! It would be GREAT to hit that $1M mark on the Foundation’s 20th anniversary! RMEL is now accepting auction items and cash donations! Look for more details to come!
Sign Up for COMPLIMENTARY Webinars This Summer
More Events are Being Added – Stay Tuned!
We’re adding more events to the RMEL virtual pipeline every day! Take a look, and keep an eye out as we continue to announce new topics – all complimentary for RMEL members, all include PDH certificates for participating! Special thanks to the RMEL’s Education Section Committees and to RMEL Members for keeping the training content relevant and timely!
WEBINAR SERIES: Industrial Control Systems Cyber Security Maturity Journey Series
July 15, July 29 & Aug. 12
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MDT
In this three-part series, you will learn how to make significant improvements in your overall cyber security maturity through a programmatic approach. This series will "begin at the beginning" and explain a step-by-step process over three hour-long sessions on how to reduce your exposure to potential attacks and share best practices to drive efficiency. The series will be relevant for those members who have been working on NERC CIP compliance for years as well as those who are just beginning their overall cyber security program.
Sign up for one, two or all three webinars!
*Webinar #1: Defining the Threat Landscape and Developing an Overall Roadmap
*Webinar #2: Building the Foundation With a Robust Asset Inventory and Assessment
*Webinar #3: Defining and Executing the Roadmap
WEBINAR: Wildfire Risk and Mitigation Efforts at Rocky Mountain Power - Fundamentally Changing How the System is Operated in High Risk Areas
July 16, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MDT
This webinar will cover Rocky Mountain Power's Utah Wildland Fire Protection Plan. Wildfire risk and mitigation efforts are a rapidly evolving area for utilities that will fundamentally change how systems are operated in high risk areas. Joshua will provide an overview of Rocky Mountain Power's journey to develop the Utah Wildland Fire Prevention Program focusing in on the areas of the company's risk based planning approach, changes to operational practices, new inspection and correction programs, system hardening efforts, changes to vegetation management, situational awareness and the company's public safety power shutoff program. Joshua will also cover lessons learned as they have deployed non-traditional equipment like covered conductor and non-expulsion protective devices as well as new technology like weather station and wildfire cameras.
VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE: Safety Roundtable – August 2020
Aug. 20, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. MDT
Roundtables offer a unique forum for peer-to-peer sharing of experiences, critical issues and expertise. Discussion is based on topics from attendees. Typically one or two presentations are given, followed by attendee discussion and sharing. Roundtables are focused on the open discussion period and provide each attendee the opportunity for participation and dialogue on their particular issue. The roundtable is a good opportunity to share experiences, troubleshoot problems and network with peers in a smaller, informal setting. Each participant is offered a chance to pose questions and share information. All attendees are encouraged to bring issues for discussion and materials for sharing.
Thank you again, everyone, for all of your support and everything you’ve been doing for the industry and for our great country!
Have a SAFE and HAPPY Independence Day!