Addressing the Threat
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” These famous words were uttered by Ben Franklin to warn his fellow Philadelphians about the threat of fire. Those words are as true today as they were in 1736 when Franklin first spoke them.
The world is threatened by many perils…war, disease, famine, natural disasters, the list goes on. Many of those threats are long-term, intractable problems that have plagued humans since the beginning of time. Sometimes people exaggerate the dangers creating a “chicken little” scenario wherein “the sky is falling” all the time. At other times, people become fatigued with the bad news of the day, making them less mindful of the dangers that really do exist.
Public Power is on the front line of some of those threats. Because the world is increasingly reliant upon and connected through electricity, threats to the critical infrastructure of the nation are increasing. Whether physical or cyber, these threats are real and our industry cannot afford to become blasé about them.
This week, in response to events in the Middle East, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a primer for assisting in the protection of our Nation’s critical infrastructure. This guide outlines actions to thwart potential threats through the use of vulnerability mitigation and incident preparation. It also documents the various “Patterns of Publicly Known Iranian Advanced Persistent Threats” to help you think more broadly about your vulnerability in the historical context.
Later this month, I will be at the MEMA bunker in Framingham participating in the Mass Cyber Resiliency TTX (table-top exercise). Several of our systems will be joining me in the exercise during which we will be presented with several attack scenarios and will be tasked with determining best response plans. I will also be attending the FEMA Region I Executive Seminar conducted by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. We will explore the ramifications of a Black Sky Event. We’ll be studying the capabilities necessary to respond to and manage the consequences of a major cyber-attack impacting the key assets and critical infrastructure of the region.
While it is a bit frightening to think about the catastrophic effects of an EMP attack and it is worrisome to recognize all that has to be protected to keep our infrastructure intact, it is also comforting to realize that there are many people who are devoted to doing just that. They take Ben Franklin’s watchwords seriously. Investing in an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. I hope that you will be especially vigilant over the coming weeks and months as these threats continue to multiply.
Below are some resources that may be helpful to you as we tread through these turbulent times.
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NEW MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
TO GO INTO EFFECT MARCH 1
ST
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The NEPPA Board of Directors recently approved the
new mutual aid agreement
which will govern regional storm assistance for NEPPA’s active members beginning March 1, 2020. You should have received this new agreement by email on January 2, 2020. Please review the agreement as soon as possible.
This new agreement will supersede NEPPA’s current agreement and will go into effect on March 1, 2020. In order to participate in Mutual Aid going forward, you must be an active member of NEPPA and have signed/ returned the new Agreement.
Please sign, date and return to us by email or regular mail, no later than January 31, 2020.
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Upcoming Training & Events
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Year I:
Jan. 28 - 31; Mar. 3 - 6; Sept. 22 - 25; Oct. 27 - 30
Year II:
Feb. 4 - 7; Mar. 17 - 20; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Nov. 3 - 6
Year III:
Feb. 11 - 14; Mar. 24 - 27; Oct. 6 - 9; Nov. 17 - 20
Year IV:
Feb. 25 - 28; Mar. 31 - Apr. 3; Oct. 20 - 23; Dec. 7 - 10
Apprentice Rodeo:
June 10 - 11, 2020
Apprentice Graduation:
Dec. 10, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
January 28, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Classroom Training: March 9 - 12, 2020
Field Training: TBA
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 17 - 20; April 7 - 10; April 28 - May 1; May 12 - 15
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 1, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Session III:
April 7 - 9, 2020
Session IV:
October 27 - 29, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 14 - 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Supervisory Skills (Dale Carnegie) *
April 22 - 23, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 27 - 28, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 E&O/Customer Service Conference *
May 18 - 19, 2020
Sheraton Framingham
Framingham, MA
July 28 - 30, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
** NEPPA Members use Group Code: NEPPA
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2020 Advanced Lineworker Program *
Aug. 4 - 7; Aug. 25 - 28; Sept. 15 - 18; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 Annual Conference *
August 16 - 19, 2020
Stoweflake Resort
Stowe, VT
2020 Metering II Program *
August 25 - 27, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 Substation II Program *
Sept. 15 - 18; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Oct. 20 - 23; Nov. 3 - 6
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership *
October 14 - 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Customer Service Leadership *
October 20, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Public Utility Accounting (APPA) *
November 3 - 4, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Work Order & Asset Management (APPA) *
November 5, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2021 Annual Conference *
August 22 - 25, 2021
Westin Portland Harborview
Portland, ME
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On behalf of the families who have received assistance this year, thank you for your commitment and support of the Benevolent Fund. In 2019, your generosity helped grow the fund by over $12,500. We’d especially like to thank Utility Services Inc. for their support through a matching funds campaign. This year, NEPPA disbursed $11,000 in funds to public power families in need. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a bright light to those who have faced darkness in their lives this year.
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For more information:
Call the NEPPA office at 978-540-2200
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Dave Schofield, center, Georgetown Light General Manager, was welcomed by local seniors during his annual electrical safety presentation at the Council on Aging’s
Senior Community Center
. The General Manager and safety expert Ray Gouley talked to the seniors about how to stay safe in their homes, not only during the winter months, but throughout the year. (photo credit: Ray Gouley)
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Georgetown Municipal Light Department gives annual electrical safety presentation at the Council on Aging's Senior Community
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Georgetown, MA December 18, 2019 -
Dave Schofield, center, Georgetown Light General Manager, was welcomed by local seniors during his annual electrical safety presentation at the Council on Aging’s
Senior Community Center
.
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Congratulations to Utility Services, Inc. (USI) for becoming an affiliate division of Energy New England (ENE)
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Waterbury, VT
January 6, 2020 - From Brian Evans-Mongeon w
hen I started in the electric industry on November 1987, I did not envision the electric industry that we have today. Changes, evolutions, and transformations have continued to extoll the virtues of the industry and the people in it.
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NEPPA is excited to offer our
Shine Your Light Program
!
As you work on your budget for 2020, make your maketing dollars work for you!
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
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