A Strong Sense of Duty!
by Michael Hyland, Executive Director
Last week most people enjoyed the “unofficial end of summer” holiday known as Labor Day. Like most, I enjoyed a long weekend with family relaxing close to home. This three-day holiday weekend marks different things to different people.
For some, it’s the return to school. Whether it’s the week prior to Labor Day or the week after, Labor Day weekend is a stark reminder to students that the summer is over and its time to hit the books. For football fans, it’s a sign that weekends will now be filled with kick-offs, touchdowns, and tailgates.
But whether you like the change in the weather and anticipating the colorful leaves, or the opportunity to drink Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Dunkin’, Labor Day is a special weekend – one that doesn’t get enough credit when compared to holidays such as Christmas, Easter or New Year’s Day. I’m not sure what your family traditions are back home, by my Labor Day holiday never involved receiving presents from the mysterious St. Nick, eating candy from a rabbit, or staying up all night to watch a ball drop while I bang pots and pans.
Labor Day is more reverent. Its more reflective. My father always relaxed over the Labor Day weekend. I’m also certain that the term ‘relaxing’ for a working man with seven sons wasn’t as easy as it appeared through my eyes. I’d guess that ‘relaxing’ in his context was being thankful and a good reminder of his devotion to his family, his church, and his community. My father was born in 1920, had polio, and lived through such events as the great depression and WW II. The fact that he could get married at 36 years old, have 7 boys and provide food and a home was an accomplishment to be proud of for any man. But still, his commitment to serving the community never wavered.
I was sad to see the passing of Queen Elizabeth II this past week. I am not a Royal Family follower, probably because like you, my life is busy enough these days. However, I was struck by a line in her obituary.
“A strong sense of duty and her determination to dedicate her life to her people.”
Strong words. Words to live by. I never met QE II, but I’m sure she would have done well in Public Power. Servants to the community.
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Upcoming Training & Events |
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It's not too late to register... |
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Transportation Electrification Program at Austin Energy
Transportation Electrification Program at Austin Energy Learn what Austin Energy is doing with their transportation electrification program.
Presenter: Karl Popham, Manager, Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies, Austin Energy
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Crew Leadership Program
NEPPA’s is pleased to offer our revitalized Crew Leadership Program in two locations this year.
Crew Leadership is offer every other year, and will be offered again in 2024.
Crew Leadership Program is designed to build upon existing leadership skills to work more effectively and efficiently in the field, while meeting standards and regulatory requirements.
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2023 NESC Updates & Applications
NEPPA is offering a virtual 3 1/2 hour program to address the origins of the NESC and its fundamental application to electric utility transmission and distribution systems, highlighting important changes that are effective with the 2023 edition on Monday, October 17th, 2022 virtually (12:00 pm – 3:30 pm).
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Cost of Service workshop:
Implementation & Application
Explore the ins and outs of cost of service—from key concepts to the nuts and bolts of working through a cost of service model. Get hands-on experience working with an actual Excel model to apply cost of service and rate design principles and processes to electric, water, sewer, gas, and other municipal services.
Complete the step-by-step process of putting a cost of service study together and review how to develop a fully functional and unbundled cost of service study.
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September 19-20, 2022
Doubletree Manchester Downtown
Manchester, NH
September 20, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
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2022 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Year I: Sept. 13 – 16; Nov. 1 – 4, 2022
Year II: Sept. 27 – 30; Nov. 15 – 18, 2022
Year III: Oct. 4 – 7; Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2022
Year IV: Oct. 18 – 21; Dec. 6 – 9, 2022
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation: Dec. 9, 2022
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks
The following “Make-Up Weeks” are scheduled for any student who needs to make-up time in the Program and/or conduct competencies for the Program.
November 7 – 10, 2022 (Years I – IV)
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September 20, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
September 21, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 4-5, 2022
Plymouth, NH
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 11, 2022
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
October 17, 2022
12:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
October 18, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
October 19, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
October 25-27, 2022
NEPPA Training Center
November 1, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
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November 1-3, 2022
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 8-9, 2022
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 8, 2022
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
November 22, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
Annual Membership Meeting*
December 1, 2022
TBD Location
December 6, 2022
December 13, 2022
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
December 14, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
December 15, 2022
8:30 am (EST)
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Appropriations: Congress prepares a stopgap funding bill with possible energy permitting reforms and emergency funding...
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Energy and Climate: The Inflation Reduction Act is signed into law, includes direct pay for not-for-profit utilities...
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DOE: The Department of Energy (DOE) denies a request from the American Public Power Association to temporarily waive conservation standards for distribution transformers...
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RMLD Invites Customers to Attend a Fun for All Ages Open House to Celebrate National Public Power Week |
Reading, MA – In recognition of National Public Power Week (October 3-9), Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) invites customers to attend an Open House on Thursday, October 6th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at RMLD’s Garage located at 218 Ash Street, Reading. This fun and educational event will feature a touch-a-truck event, face painting, balloon art, a caricaturist, kid’s games and prizes, pumpkin decorating, a lineman dress-up activity, an electric vehicle showcase, and more. RMLD staff will offer education on electricity, electrical safety, energy conservation, and information about rebate and efficiency programs.
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Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations Purchases First Fleet EV |
Shrewsbury, MA August, 2022 - Customers of Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO) may now see a shiny new Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle (EV) driving through town since the light department recently added it to their fleet.
The Mach-E SUV is the first EV SELCO has purchased for the department’s fleet. SELCO Director of Advocacy & Customer Experience Jackie Pratt said the department chose the Mach-E model specifically because it met the needs for gas meter reading and engineering site visits. The EV will be split for daily use between those departments.
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MMWEC Members Offer Electric and Heating Bill Assistance Programs |
Ludlow, MA, Summer Edition 2022- As prices increase across the board from gasoline to oil to electricity, municipal light plant (MLP) customers may encounter difficulty paying their electric and heating bills this upcoming winter season. MMWEC member utilities, including those in Chicopee, Mansfield, Shrewsbury, and Sterling, have programs in place for payment assistance for their customers.Massachusetts
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org |
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