by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox! Earning their fourth World Series since 2004, they put together a record-breaking season full of many memorable moments. Staying power is important in baseball. It’s a long season – 162 regular season games and an additional 14 post-season games – to earn the honor of taking home the coveted trophy. What does it take to become a World Series champion? It takes hard-work, commitment, a little luck and excellent training. When you think about it, training is the foundation for any success and clearly the Red Sox were committed to practicing, on a daily basis, all they had learned to achieve this degree of success.
The same can be said of NEPPA’s Apprentice Lineworker training program. Last month, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the New York Lineworker graduation in Fairport, New York. Under the excellent tutelage of Bill Hesson, twelve new lineworkers celebrated their graduation. It was gratifying to see the camaraderie and respect these young men all showed for each other. That “esprit du corps” that is usually associated with sports teams was on full display that evening. Each student had worked hard to advance their skills and knowledge, and each had to sacrifice time with family and friends to complete this four-year training program. They were justifiably proud of achieving this success and it was heartwarming to see community members, friends and family on hand to support them.
I was equally proud that NEPPA takes the job of training lineworkers very seriously. We are fortunate to have an excellent trainer like Bill Hesson leading the New York training effort. Working with our friends at the Municipal Electrical Utilities Association
(MEUA) and with the generous assistance of Matt Hegarty and the folks at the Fairport Municipal Commission Electric Division, NEPPA is able to provide affordable, state of the art training to individuals throughout New York state wishing to pursue a career in this field.
Training is critical to the safety and reliability of the public utility industry. And training is what we do. NEPPA is continually making investments in new programming and equipment. To further support our outreach throughout the Northeast we are hiring additional qualified safety trainers, and making on-line training available for our required OSHA training. And, like the Red Sox, we are constantly practicing and refining our core skills to ensure that we are the best in the league.
On December 7
th, we will celebrate the accomplishments of eighteen new lineworker graduates at our Littleton headquarters. Director of Training, Steve Socoby, has prepared them well for the job ahead and through their consistent practice, they have earned the distinction of lineworker. Although we couldn’t arrange for a duck boat parade, we hope you will join us as we honor the hard work and commitment they invested to earn this title.
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Upcoming Training & Events
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Member Value Committee
November 9 (Teleconference)
Board of Directors Meeting
November 16 (Littleton, MA)
Nov. 26; Dec. 10; Jan. 7 (Littleton, MA)
November 30 (Nashua, NH)
Conference Oversight & Planning Committee
December 4 (Littleton, NH)
Year IV: December 4 - 7
Apprentice Lineworker Graduation
December 7 (Littleton, MA)
December 11 - 14; January 8 - 11 (Littleton, MA)
Member Value Committee
December 13 (Teleconference)
Education Development Committee
December 17 (Littleton, MA)
Registration for several 2019 programs now open!
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@Your-Site Registrations Due by Friday, November 16th
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2019 Training Catalog Now Available!
by Friday, November 16th.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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by Scott Edwards, Mutual Aid Director
Once again, NEPPA member utilities answered the call for mutual aid in Florida! Just as the devastating Hurricane Michael was about to hit the panhandle of Florida, a call came into the New England APPA Mutual Aid Network Coordinators for help. Tallahassee City Utilities, anticipating widespread outages, was looking for line crews to assist within 48 to 72 hours. Within four hours, Mutual Aid Committee Chair Nick Lawler and I identified 22 line crews, 6 supervisors, and 1 mechanic representing 20 NEPPA member utilities that could hit the road to Florida.
These crews worked long hours for five days restoring power to customers in Tallahassee. A personal Thank You went out to NEPPA and every responding utility from the Florida Municipal Electric Association, Tallahassee City Utilities, and Tallahassee elected officials. Another job well done!
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Braintree Electric Light Department Ribbon Cutting
on Energy Storage Project
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October 25, 2018 (Braintree, MA) - Massachusetts public power utility Braintree Electric Light Department cut the ribbon on its latest energy storage project with Borrego Solar, MassEEA and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
The 2 MW/4 MWh system is powered in part by a Borrego Solar solar array.
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Share your expertise and s
howcase your research, case studies, new trends or technologies
at NEPPA's conferences and events
!
To submit your presentation or abstract, please
complete and return the
Call for Presentations Form
, along with any supplemental materials, to Sarah Klingler, Director of Programs & Services
at
sklingler@neppa.org
by
Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
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Customer Service Leadership Program
Request for Proposals
NEPPA is currently seeking proposals for the development and refresh of our Customer Service Leadership Program (CSLP).
NEPPA’s Customer Service Leadership Program has been training customer service managers, supervisors and representatives for the skills and knowledge to effectively engage with utility customers, even under challenging circumstances.
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An Open Letter from NEPPA, APPA, NRECA and TAPS
on regional policy impacts on electricity prices
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Regional grid operator too protective of industry -...
THIS SUMMER, governors from five of the six New England states joined together to issue a statement acknowledging the challenges the region faces in maintaining reliable, affordable electricity....
Read more
commonwealthmagazine.org
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Join the National Campaign
#CommunityPowered
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From October - December, join the national campaign, #CommunityPowered, to raise awareness of public power.
The American Public Power Association has strategies and resources for public power utilities to implement the campaign in your communities.
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In Loving Memory & Honor of Annamaria Henriksen
October 28, 2018
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The entire NEPPA community stands in support of Henny and his family during this difficult time, offering our thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort.
Annamaria was fiercely devoted to her family. She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved and could often be found cooking and entertaining with a smile on her face. She will be sadly missed.
Devoted mother of Dina Pelley and her husband Stephen of Weymouth, Lori Gallery and her husband Shawn of Weymouth and Robert M. Henriksen and his wife Cheryl of Rockland. Loving sister of Josephine Henriksen and her late husband James of Braintree and Joe Iacobucci and his wife Lina of Stoughton. Cherished Grandma of Samantha, Ryan, Matthew, Brooke and Jack.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Annamaria may be made to
Boston Higashi School, Attn: Development Office, 800 North Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368.
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Extend your brand to those who matter most.
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Advertising for the 2019 NEPPA Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England is now underway!
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
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