by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
December brings the shortest and darkest days of the year, with less than 10 hours of daylight to enjoy. Coupled with the freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow at any time, it is no wonder that many people look forward to the bright holiday traditions that are on full display during this month. Whether you are attending parties, shopping and wrapping, baking and entertaining, or engaging in some other type of holiday ritual, December is jam-packed with mood lifting opportunities. For many, this is the season of benevolence.
The word benevolence comes from the Latin words bene (good) and velle (to wish). If someone is benevolent, we understand them to be kind and compassionate - a person who wishes others well. Generally, benevolent individuals are thought to be charitable in their attitudes and generous with their wealth. Which calls to mind NEPPA’s Benevolent Fund.
The Benevolent Fund was established to provide support to our public power families in times of crisis. All funds raised and received are designated to be disbursed to public power employees or their families, undergoing financial difficulties due to personal injury, illness or death. All public power employees in New England are eligible to receive assistance from the Fund.
At our Annual Membership meeting, we announced a new
logo contest for the Benevolent Fund. To enhance the visibility and awareness of the Fund, we are crowdsourcing NEPPA’s members to create a new Benevolent fund logo. This will be the first step in helping to better brand this valuable member resource to ensure that the Fund continues to grow for the future of public power families. Because although we hope you’ll never need it, assistance will be there if you do.
After December 21
st, the days will start to grow longer and brighter. In this season of benevolence, we wish you good health, increased wealth and joyful days with family and friends. We wish you a wonderful holiday season!
|
|
Upcoming Training & Events
|
|
December 11 - 14; January 8 - 11
Member Value Committee
(Teleconference)
December 13, 2018
Education Development
Committee
(Littleton, MA)
December 17, 2018
Jan. 7, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Year I:
Jan. 29 - Feb. 1; March 12 - 15;
Aug. 27 - 30; Oct. 29 - Nov. 1
Year II:
Jan. 15 - 18; April 9 - 12;
Sept. 17 - 20; Nov. 5 - 8
Year III:
Feb. 12 - 15; April 23 - 26;
Sept. 24 - 27; Nov. 19 - 22
Year IV:
Feb. 26 - March 1; May 7 - 10;
Oct. 8 - 11; Dec. 10 - 13
Apprentice Rodeo:
June 5 - 6
Apprentice Graduation:
Dec. 13
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 20, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 21, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 25; April 29; May 20; June 10
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 26 - 29; April 30 - May 3; May 21 - 24; June 11 - 14
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 2 - 3, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Credit & Collections Roundtable
*
April 4, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 30 - May 2, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
May 3, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
May 13 - 14, 2019
DoubleTree Hotel
Manchester, NH
|
|
@Your-Site Online Now Available!
|
Revisions to NEPPA's Education & Training Catalog
It has been brought to our attention there were a few errors printed in the 2019 NEPPA Education & Training Catalog, in particular for the @Your-Site Safety Training topics and requirements.
The revised list of annually required courses are as follows:
- Enclosed/Confined Spaces (3 Hours)
- Fire Extinguisher; Emergency Action & Evacuation Plan; Hearing Conservation (3 Hours)
- First Aid/CPR/AED (5 - 6 Hours)
- Forklift Training (4 Hours) - Required Every 3 years, where applicable
- Lock Out/Tag Out and Switching & Tagging (3 Hours)
- Pole Top/Bucket Rescue (3 Hours)
- Right to Know: Hazardous Communications (1 Hour); Silica (1 Hour); Blood Borne Pathogens (1 Hour)
Courses offered as requested (required where work environment necessitates):
- Respiratory Training (3 Hours) where applicable
- Spill Response: Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures (3 Hours) where applicable
Questions? Please contact Colleen Del Signore at colleend@neppa.org or call (978) 540-2200.
|
|
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
|
|
MGED receives recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 125 Years of Service
|
|
November 29, 2018 (Middleborough, MA) -
All smiles as state representatives present the MGED Board of Commissioners with a declaration of recognition for the department’s 125th anniversary of service to the public.
Left to right are: Commissioner Thomas Murphy, Electric division manager William Taylor, General Manager Jackie Crowley, Commissioner Ellen Farley, Representative Keiko Orrall, Commissioner Jack Healey, Representative Susan Gifford, Commission Chairman Dan Farley and Commissioner Paul Smith.
The declaration reads: Be it hereby known to all that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to: Middleborough Gas & Electric in recognition of Your 125
th
Anniversary and your continued commitment to serving our community. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors. Given this 28
th
day of November, 2018 at the State House, Boston, Massachusetts. Signed by State Representative Susan Williams Gifford, by Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the House and Offered by State Representative Keiko M. Orrall.
|
|
|
|
Belmont Light in the Community
|
Ice Cream Social at the Senior Center
November 20, 2018 -
Belmont Light sponsored an ice cream social for local seniors at the Senior Center during Public Power Week/Energy Awareness Month. The seniors had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their hometown electric utility. Taking part in the program were (from left to right) Belmont Light Executive Assistant & Communications Coordinator Aidan Leary; Belmont Council on Aging Assistant Director Dana Leavitt; Council on Aging Director Nava Niv-Vogel; Belmont Light General Manager Chris Roy; and Belmont Light Energy Resources Manager Becca Keane.
|
|
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
|
November 26, 2018
– Belmont Light will hold its annual
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
on Thursday, December 20
th
at the 40 Prince Street office from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Customers will have an opportunity to enjoy a mug of hot cider or hot chocolate and say hello to special guest, Frosty the Snowman. The event is open to all Belmont Light customers.
Belmont Light will also be holding its annual blanket and bedding drive to support Mission of Deeds, a non-profit organization that provides beds, used furniture and household items to families in need throughout Middlesex and Essex counties. Everyone who attends the event is encouraged to bring a new or very gently used blanket, bedspread, comforter, or quilt to the event to help share the warmth with others in need.
“
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
has become a great tradition in the community,” Belmont Light General Manager Chris Roy said. “We encourage all Belmont community members to stop by our 40 Prince Street office, not only to celebrate the beginning of the winter season, but to also help others in need by donating bedding to share the warmth. Following the gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley this past Fall, the need for donations in this area is greater than in past years.”
For more information about
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
, please visit Belmont Light’s website,
www.belmontlight.com
, or call 617-993-2800.
|
|
Break Out the Spray Foam (In Addition to the Hats)
|
|
November 26, 2018 (E. Montpelier, VT) - Winter has made its presence known early this year.
In addition to the white stuff coating our lawns, cars, and roads, you have likely seen red signs around your town telling you it’s time to prepare for winter. Not that you needed a reminder. With cold weather settling in, it’s time to break out the spray foam.
According a report published by Efficiency Vermont, the average Vermont household spends $1,200 annually to heat their home. Air sealing and insulating homes is one of the best ways to reduce that cost.
Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) is offering incentives, on top of Efficiency Vermont’s, to help our members switch from oil, propane, and gas-burning vehicles and appliances to electric ones.
These incentives, through WEC’s Button Up program, include up to $600 for weatherization, $250 for cold-climate heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, and $1,000 for pellet boilers, as well as extra incentives for electric vehicles.
If you don’t live in Washington Electric territory, you’re still in luck. Efficiency Vermont provides services statewide, including rebates for weatherization materials, incentives for
energy retrofits, and access to certified contractors. And other utilities are offering services to help customers save energy too.
|
|
Share your expertise and s
howcase your research, case studies, new trends or technologies
at NEPPA's conferences and events
!
|
|
Join the National Campaign
#CommunityPowered
|
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.
|
|
|
Energy Policy
:
McNamee confirmed to FERC, FERC approves interim fuel security proposal, FERC dismisses complaint calling for capacity market construct in CAISO, National Lab report highlights small hydro…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extend your brand to those who matter most.
|
Advertising for the 2019 NEPPA Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England is now underway!
|
|
Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
