Phoenix Rising
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
As I watched events unfold at the Capitol this week, I felt a deep sense of loss for our nation. It seemed impossible that this nation, which has transferred power peacefully for hundreds of years was suddenly about to come completely unraveled. I felt like I was watching a bad movie - but even bad movies usually have good endings. I am having trouble envisioning the good ending for this chapter of America’s story.
Over the past few years, we have experienced a serious upheaval to society. It has been disconcerting for many, painful for most and challenging for all. This upheaval is not going to be reversed by anger, hatred or “hiding our heads” in the sand. As a nation, we must begin to heal the deep wounds and divisions that now exist. Ideologues on both sides need to take a hard look at how their unyielding sense of “being right” has propelled us to the precipice of disaster. What hangs in the balance is the future of our nation.
How does America move forward from here? Each of us will have to make a concerted effort to listen to those who think and feel differently we than we might think or feel. And we will have to examine why we respond the way we do when someone disagrees with us. Change is hard and the resistance to examining our faults and trying a new approach is strong. If we are to survive as a nation, we must tap into the deep resilience for which America has always been known.
We must learn how to address the national angst associated with past mistakes that have harmed our people. And we must stop being afraid of challenges to our thoughts and our ideas. It will no doubt be painful. But I believe our capacity to endure pain determines our potential for growth. We must grow into a new country. One that cherishes the traditions and sacrifices of the past while planning for a future that will make America truly great.
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Upcoming Training & Events |
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Click below on icon to Register NOW for our
January Trainings!
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At NEPPA, we are committed to helping our members enhance their safety awareness and develop effective training and risk management programs to better prepare and protect their organizations and employees.
As part of our commitment to our members to provide high-quality technical and safety training, particularly in the shadows of COVID-19, we are pleased to continue offering a new series of live, instructor-led @Your-Site Virtual Training sessions.
Participants may register for either an individual session, for the Spring/Fall Series (8 Session Each) or for the full 2021 Series (16 Total Sessions):
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Registration for the 2021 @Your-Site Safety & Technical Training and Apprentice Lineworker Programs need to be submitted ASAP!
As with any in-person trainings, meetings or events, we ask that you remain flexible as we approach the coming year.
Whenever possible, NEPPA will strive to hold in-person training in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines however we expect the coming year will be a combination of in-person, hybrid and virtual sessions.
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2021 @Your-Site Saftey & Technical Training |
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2021 Apprentice
Linework Program
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January 26, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
January 27, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
January 28, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
March 23, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
March 24, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
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2021 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Registration is OPEN!
Year I: Feb, 23 - 26; April 6 - 9; Sept. 28 - Oct. 1; Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
Year II: March 2 - 5; April 13 - 16; Oct. 5 - 8; Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2021
Year III: March 9 - 12; April 27 - 30; Oct. 26 - 29; Dec. 7 - 10, 2021
Year IV: March 16 - 19; May 4 - 7; Nov. 2 - 5; Dec. 14 - 17, 2021
Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 9-10, 2021
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
December 17, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
"NEW"
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks:
May 24 - 28, 2021 (Years I - IV
November 8 - 10, 2021 ( Years I - IV)
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March 25, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
Basic Electricity & Mathematics for Utility Operations*
March 30, 2021
August 10, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Substation I Program*
March 30 - April 2; April 20 - 23; May 18 - 21;
June 15 - 18, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Session IV: April 13 - 15, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Metering I Program *
April 21 - 22, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 27, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
April 28, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
2021 E&O Conference & Expo*
May 13 - 14, 2021
Doubletree Manchester Downtown
Manchester, NH
2021 Annual Conference *
August 22 - 25, 2021
Westin Portland Harborview
Portland, ME
Substation II Program*
Sept. 14 - 17; Sept. 28 - Oct. 1; Oct. 19 - 22;
Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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September 21, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
September 22, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
2021 Lineworker's Rodeo*
September 23-24, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 19, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
october 20, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
Metering II Program *
November 8 - 10, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 23, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
November 30, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
December 14, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
December 15, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
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Transition: Biden selects energy and environment team; House Steering Committees select new committee leadership…
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FERC: Senate confirms Christie and Clements to FERC; FERC proposes cybersecurity Incentives… |
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2020 Year-End Bill: Year-end bill funds government for FY21; COVID-19 relief included; Energy provisions included…
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Over 60 members recently participated in our Mutual Aid roundtable to learn more about NEPPA’s new Mutual Aid notification and tracking software system. This new system, designed by Veoci, will allow for utilities needing assistance to make an on-line request which will trigger the process of acquiring the necessary aid. Hopefully this will make the job of the regional coordinators simpler and will enhance NEPPA’s ability to provide you with the aid you need more efficiently.
To learn more about the new process, click here. Regional roundtables will be held during the coming months for those who missed the initial meeting or click here (Video Access Passcode: 7Mg&2F3h) for a recording of the session. For more information or to set up a user training session, contact mutualaid@neppa.org.
Thank you to the Mutual Aid Committee and the software selection and implementation committees for a job well done, as always!
NEPPA Mutual Aid Committee:
Nick Lawler
David Ketchen
Craig Spinale
Weijun Li
Sean Murphy
Andrew Elliston
James Leip
Jim Lisowski
Art Potter
Vernon Page
Randall Surprenant
Mike Menten
Barry Tupper
Ken Rollins
John Ducsai
William Guertin
Brian Allen
Craig Foley
David Kresock
Patricia Waugh
Justin Connell
Craig Spinale
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Congratulations to Steve Socoby on his retirement as the Director of Technical Training for NEPPA. Steve’s last day working full time at NEPPA was January 8th. But no worries! Steve is going to continue training with us as a part-time trainer and participating in program development for the foreseeable future.
Now that is a win-win!
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Best wishes to Jim Collins on his retirement from the Town of Norwood Light Department. Jim started with Norwood as a co-op Engineer in March of 1973 and by 1976, he was a full time Electrical Engineer. Jim became the Superintendent in 2014 and has certainly earned a happy and healthy retirement!
Congratulation to Kevin Shaughnessy who was recently appointed as the new Superintendent at Norwood.
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MMWEC Home Energy Efficiency Program Adds Thermostats to "Connected Homes" Program |
Ludlow, MA - December 14, 2020 - Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the joint action agency for municipal utilities in Massachusetts, is expanding its innovative residential demand management program, “Connected Homes.” Connected Homes allows residential customers to better manage wifi-connected devices in their homes while reducing their carbon footprint.
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Vermont Public Power supply Authority and mPower Innovations team up to bring major technology upgrades to Vermont's smallest community-owned electric utilities
Waterbury Center, VT - December 10, 2020 - Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (“VPPSA”) and mPower Innovations announced today their strategic partnership to bring affordable mapping software and data analytics to 11 community-owned electric utilities. It is a foundational step in deploying future utility technology advancements, including VPPSA’s anticipated 2021 rollout of advanced metering infrastructure (“AMI”) for Vermont’s smallest electric utilities.
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Vermont Public Power Supply Authority and Encore Renewable Energy power up new solar array to benefit Morrisville residents
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Keeping you informed 24/7
NEPPA's COVID-19 Resource Center
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org |
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