|
It's an Election Year - Best to Hold Judgment
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
For those that know me well – you understand my love of the show Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Having coached for over 30 years, I see some similarities in our coaching methods (and certainly some differences). Yes, I realize that it’s just a TV show written by a bunch of comedic writers, but it is fun to watch a show about a sport that I care little about and yet, enjoy it so much. If you are attending the NEPPA Annual Conference in New Hampshire next week, simply ask to see my dress socks on any given day and to no surprise you will see socks adorned with “Diamond Dogs’, or ‘Believe’ or ‘Be a Goldfish’. Corny? Certainly. Fun? Definitely.
So how do we connect Jason Sudeikis’ character of Coach Ted Lasso to a NEPPA Newsline? Well, glad you asked. Like others in the public power space, I spend considerable amounts of time explaining my chosen profession when someone casually asks, ‘And what do you do for a living?’ Well, I was once told by a close friend that if you can’t keep the answer to that question to one simply sentence – then lie and make something up. He was a dentist, and when asked ‘what do you do for a living?’ he simply replied- ‘I fix teeth’. Simple and factual. For a short period of time, I tried his approach, and when asked I would blurt out ‘I keep the lights on’. It sounded really cool until the question was asked by a well-dressed gentleman at a Washington DC reception. After blurting out my reply, he laughed at my answer and commented ‘since when does an engineer climb poles and put the wire back up?’ He was a line worker, proud of his trade, and felt challenged that I would take credit for keeping the lights on. Well, I’ve been in search of a good one-line answer ever since.
So, here I am years later, and I still dread when asked about my profession and career. Do I throw out the ‘lights on’ one liner? Or do I actually get into a conversation and provide details. It’s tough to explain how I’ve weaved from an IOU owned generating plant, to a municipal lobbying organization in Washington DC to installing EV chargers at a cooperative in Maryland, and now the Executive Director of NEPPA. Just recently I tried to explain to a ‘non-utility’ person that working in the electric utility industry today is by far the most exciting time in my 40 years. She asked, ‘why is that?’. Bingo – the door was opened and I was charging through!
Forget the one-line explanations about what I do every day at my job – instead, I was provided the opportunity to cover some of the most fertile ground out there: Utility history and ownership; changes in the generation fleet; modern data collection and analysis; the balance between profit and not profit business models; innovation in safety and reliability; the list is endless. Now, I know this might seem like a bizarre world to many of you. I mean, how many times do you get to actually have an in-depth conversation with someone outside your utility, about the electric industry? Furthermore, one where you may even change someone’s perception about nuclear energy or enlighten them as to why birds can sit on the distribution line, yet a person can’t. It’s a rare conversation indeed.
Why don’t we get many opportunities to educate about the benefits of public power and connect with those who might think that wind and solar are going to provide us 100% clean power by 2030? We are in an age of headlines, TikTok videos, and NFL redzone. The idea of exchanging ideas, agreeing to disagree after comparing the pros and cons of an issue, and accepting the ideals of another person, even if you don’t agree in most cases, is a thing of the past. Many like to paint a person based on one picture, and there’s danger to that system. We can’t simply divide the room into evil coal hugging traditionalists and idealistic green revolutionaries. It’s more complex than that and we all can strive to listen more, ask more questions, and understand the different perspectives.
Ted Lasso? Ah yes. The connection. For those in the know – there’s an interesting scene in the first season where Coach Lasso is playing the former owner of the English football club in a game of darts for big stakes. As with most things made for TV – one character is arrogant, and the underdog is humble. Just before Lasso wins the game, he explains a quote often misattributed to Walt Whitman: “Be curious, not judgmental.” The same quote has taken many forms over the years, but at the heart of it, is the fact that we don’t communicate well enough to learn the reason for the other person’s position on things. Instead – we are quick to judge and move on.
In 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered an address at Cornell College in Iowa. He said: “I am convinced that men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other and they don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.”
Although there are many who sit behind keyboards and act like warriors these days, let’s remind ourselves that - discussion is a good thing, debate is a good thing, and judging too quickly might not be our best trait. Election season is always a time that takes a toll on the average person. We are bombarded with signs on lawns, commercials, social media, and we are surprised that someone we thought of as a friend is now judged because their voting color is different than ours.
Even if you aren’t a Ted Lasso fan, when in doubt, be curious.
Believe!
-Mike
| |
We Asked, They Delivered! | |
|
OUR MEMBERS CAME THROUGH
Thank you to the member organizations who donated poles to our yard to benefit our Apprentices!
| |
Want to learn more about our 4-year Apprentice Lineworker Program? CLICK HERE | |
Upcoming Training & Events | |
|
NEPPA's 2024 Annual Conference
August 25 - 28, 2024
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Bretton Woods, NH
| |
|
Already registered but haven't downloaded the App yet?
| | |
|
It's easy! Just search for and download the Whova App in the App Store or Google Play for free. Then, sign in or create an account using the email address you registered for the conference with. The event will show up automatically. If not, search for NEPPA 2024 Annual Conference. | Having Trouble? Contact NEPPA at registrar@neppa.org or 978-540-2208. You can also watch this helpful How-to Video HERE. | | |
|
|
Substation II
(4 Sessions)
September 10-13
October 1-4
October 22-25
November 19-22
Tues–Thurs 8am–2pm (In-Person)
Fridays 8am–11am (Virtual)
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| |
|
Tactical Tuesday
September 10, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held Virtually
Topic: How Vehicle-Mounted Cameras + AI Can Help You Better Manage the Grid While Reducing Costs
Presenter: Juliet Su, Head of Product for Noteworthy AI
| |
| |
|
|
Metering II
September 24-26, 2024
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| |
|
Underground Residential Distribution Program
October 8-10, 2024
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| |
|
|
Public Utility Management Program (PUMP) - Virtual Session II
September 24, 2024
8:30 am - 12:00 pm (EST)
Substation II - Session II
October 1 - 4, 2024
8:00 am - end time varies
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
October 8, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (EST)
Underground Residential Distribution Program
October 8 - 10, 2024
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Hoisting 1B - 1A
October 15, 2024
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Hoisting 2A - 2C
October 16, 2024
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership
October 16 - 17, 2024
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
| |
|
2024 Energy Connect Conference
October 22 - 24, 2024
Worcester, MA
Substation II - Session III
October 22 - 25, 2024
8:00 am - end time varies
Littleton, MA
Public Utility Management Program (PUMP) - Session II
October 29 - 31, 2024
8:00am - 4:00 pm
Littleton, MA
OSHA-10 Plus T&D
November 6 - 7, 2024
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
November 12, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (EST)
Substation II - Session IV
November 19 - 22, 2024
8:00 am - end time varies
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
December 10, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (EST)
| |
Legislation: Senate Appropriators advance several FY25 appropriations bills to the floor; Senate ENR advances permitting reform bill… | |
Tax Policy: Senate Finance examines federal tax policies to aid local economic development… | |
FERC: Judy Chang is sworn in as a FERC Commissioner… | |
Holden Municipal Light Department, Lightshift Energy and MMWEC
Unveil Battery Storage Project in Holden, MA
to Strengthen Community Energy Resilience | |
Left to right: Jason Viadero, MMWEC; Rory Jones, Lightshift Energy; Anthony Renzoni, Chairman, Holden Board of Selectmen; Stephanie King, Asst Town Manager, Holden; Peter Lukes, Town Manager, Holden; Sen. Peter Durant; HMLD Manager Barry Tupper, Rep. Kim Ferguson, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy, Michael Judge, Callie Knower, HMLD | |
|
Holden, MA – August 12, 2024 – Holden Municipal Light Department (HMLD) and Lightshift Energy, a leading energy storage project developer, owner and operator, today hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Lightshift’s newest battery storage project in Holden, Massachusetts, which will serve HMLD and its customers. Developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the 5MW/22MWh battery project will charge during low-cost periods of low energy demand, and discharge during higher-cost peak demand periods.
Read More
| |
|
Hingham Light Joins Connected Homes
Hingham, MA – August 1, 2024 - Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (HMLP), the consumer-owned utility serving the community of Hingham, is joining Connected Homes, an innovative residential demand response program that allows residential customers to better manage Wi-Fi-connected devices in their homes while reducing their carbon footprint.
By enrolling a smart device in the Connected Homes program, customers agree to allow their light department to make brief, limited adjustments to their devices during times of peak electric demand, such as temporarily reducing the charging rate of an electric vehicle during peak hours. Customers are informed of possible adjustments in advance via email or text message. Enrolled customers are given a bill credit.
| |
FirstLight and Burlington Electric Department Enter Power Purchase Agreement for Hydroelectricity to Support Burlington’s Energy Demand with Clean, New England Power
Burlington, MA and Burlington, VT - August 7, 2024 – FirstLight, a leading clean power producer, developer and energy storage company, today announced a new power purchase agreement with Burlington Electric Department (BED). Through the agreement, which kicked off in July, FirstLight will deliver Burlington, Vermont over 54 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean hydropower and associated VT-1 renewable energy credits through 2025 from FirstLight’s in Connecticut, the state’s second largest source of renewable energy and largest hydroelectric facility. The new partnership between FirstLight and BED supports the City of Burlington’s commitment to 100% renewable power sourcing and its Net Zero Energy goal.
| |
Georgetown Municipal Light Department Showcased at Touch-a-Truck Event | |
|
|
Georgetown, MA - June 27, 2024 - Georgetown Municipal Light Department showcased a bucket truck, along with rebate and incentive materials available to Georgetown customers, at the popular Touch-a-Truck event held at the Georgetown Peabody Library.
The Bailey family (picture on the right) was among the many local residents who attended the event. Georgetown Light Lineworker Mike Correale showed some of the features of a Georgetown Light bucket truck to Olivia and Lucci Mirabito (picture on the left) during the Touch-a-Truck festivities as well.
| |
|
VPPSA & EVT Announce Exclusive Rebates for Public Power Communities
| |
|
|
WATERBURY CENTER, VT - July 29, 2024 - #CommunityIsAtTheHeart - Announced today, VPPSA member utility customers can now access to thousands of dollars in additional rebates for home & business energy-saving projects, thanks to a special partnership between Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) and Efficiency Vermont (EVT).
These exclusive rebates can help residents, business owners, and rental property owners save money when weatherizing and air sealing a building, installing heat pumps for heating and air conditioning, and for switching to energy-saving efficiency appliances.
Read More
| |
Keeping You Connected...
Events & Opportunities | | |
|
PublicPowerX Webinar: Power Up Your Utility - Harnessing Mobile Work Order Management
Complimentary event hosted by the American Public Power Association in collaboration with Prometheus Group
Wednesday, August 21
2:00 PM Eastern
Held Virtually
| |
Utilities struggle with inefficient, paper-based work order systems that lead to delays, errors, and poor visibility into field operations. Outdated paper-based systems hamper your productivity and make it difficult for utilities to maintain critical infrastructure on time and cost-effectively.
Discover how mobile work order management can transform your utility's operations. This webinar explores the power of integrating mobile solutions with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise asset management (EAM) systems, such as SAP, Oracle, and IBM Maximo.
Learn More and Register Here
| |
|
What Happens During an OSHA Inspection?
Most employers will never have to face an OSHA inspection. If you do, it’s important to respond in an appropriate manner. By knowing what to expect during an OSHA inspection, you can plan accordingly. You can make it simple for the inspector to conduct their evaluation and you can use the inspection to learn about workplace safety and ensure your employees are well-protected against worksite dangers moving forward.
Read More
|
| | | |
