G.O.A.T.
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
Well, I guess it’s pretty clear. Tom Brady is the “Greatest of All Time”. Love him or hate him, Brady showed us what the true spirit of a champion looks like after the Buccaneers 31-9 Superbowl win. While much credit goes to Tampa’s defense, at 43 years old, Brady significantly outperformed the 25 year old Patrick Mahomes, the pundit-anointed “future of the NFL”. It is astounding to me that Brady can continue to play at such a consistently high level despite his advancing years. It is more than experience and attitude. What is his secret formula?
The words that immediately come to mind are commitment, discipline, preparation and training. Brady is arguably the most educated player in the game. He reviews film repeatedly to ensure that he can anticipate what will happen on the field to prepare for any situation. He studies his opponents every move and invents new techniques to take his game to the next level. He is not afraid to examine his own failings and corrects and adjusts until he perfects his skills. And he practices, and practices, and practices. Brady makes these investments in his future to continue to be the best. That is his secret formula.
Likewise, NEPPA is determined to bring you the best possible training in the Northeast. We are constantly fine-tuning and re-evaluating our training and looking for ways to improve. And our commitment to safety in all of our programs has been and will continue to be critical to our success. We are utilizing new techniques to bring you meaningful programming and impactful education. And then we keep our fingers crossed and hope that all we have taught is actually caught. That the practice will pay off.
Recently, one of our systems had a medical emergency necessitating immediate action. Four individuals sprang into response mode, using their NEPPA CPR and an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training. Because these individuals had trained repeatedly and adhered to the protocols and procedures they were taught, they prevented a tragedy. When asked about it, one of the employees involved said this “Sometimes we are reluctant to invest the necessary time to take this training, but we do it anyway, hoping we never have to use it. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of participating in CPR and AED training and I will be the biggest cheerleader for it going forward. And, I have to say, Linda Calderiso is the best – she’s the greatest teacher ever!”
Training and practice and dedication and commitment converge to make good things happen. I hope you will join me in congratulating Linda on a job well done. She definitely deserves the NEPPA MVP for her exceptional work year after year which culminated in this week’s big win. And while she may not get on the cover of Time magazine, her work ethic, dedication and preparation mimic those of Tom Brady. We are proud of Linda and think she is the GOAT too!
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Upcoming Training & Events |
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Important Update:
2021 Engineering & Operations Expo/ Conference
Given the ongoing challenges of holding an event during the Pandemic, we have decided to postpone the Engineering and Operations Conference scheduled for May. But, with every challenge comes a new opportunity and our E & O Committee and Lineworkers Rodeo Committee have joined forces to bring you a really big fall event in late September! Plans are underway for a 3-day combined conference which will include the Rodeo and a Benevolent Fund golf tournament. More to follow soon…
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NEPPA offers hoisting Continuing Education and Test Prep classes for:
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Hoisting 1B-1D: hoisting machines,
i.e. cranes and bucket trucks
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Hoisting 2A-2C: digging machines,
i.e. excavators and backhoes
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NEPPA is pleased to continue offering a 1-day basic and technical prerequisite course for anyone looking to attend technical programs or to gain a basic understanding of electrical theory, concepts and mathematic principles.
NEPPA's Basic Electricity & Mathematics for Utility Operations course is scheduled to be held March 30, 2021 and August 10, 2021 at the NEPPA Training Center (200 New Estate Road, Littleton, MA 01460) as part of the first day of two other technical programs.
Basic Electricity & Mathematics for Utility Operations is designed to be an introduction to the electrical concepts and mathematic principles needed to understand electricity and electrical equipment. This course is a foundational level course that is a basis for additional course work in specific disciplines such as substation, overhead lines and metering.
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NEPPA's Substation I Program is held 4-days/week for 4 weeks/year. Substation I is designed to be an introduction to substations including safety, design, operation, equipment and theory.
*NEW* Beginning in 2021, each Friday of the session will consist of a virtual review of the week's material and online testing. Students should plan to attend classes in-person at the Training Center Tuesday - Thursday, and join the session(s) remotely on Friday.
In addition to in-class lecture, the Substation I Program incorporates hands-on application of concepts and testing, field visits and tours of different installations, and weekly testing including a final exam to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the course content.
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At NEPPA, we are committed to helping our members enhance their safety awareness and develop effective training and risk management programs to better prepare and protect their organizations and employees.
As part of our commitment to our members to provide high-quality technical and safety training, particularly in the shadows of COVID-19, we are pleased to continue offering a new series of live, instructor-led @Your-Site Virtual Training sessions.
Participants may register for either an individual session, for the Spring/Fall Series (8 Session Each) or for the full 2021 Series (16 Total Sessions):
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March 9; June 15; Sept 7; Dec 7, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 10; June 16; Sept 8; Dec 8, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 23, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
March 24, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
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2021 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Registration is OPEN!
Year I: Feb, 23 - 26; April 6 - 9; Sept. 28 - Oct. 1; Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
Year II: March 2 - 5; April 13 - 16; Oct. 5 - 8; Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2021
Year III: March 9 - 12; April 27 - 30; Oct. 26 - 29; Dec. 7 - 10, 2021
Year IV: March 16 - 19; May 4 - 7; Nov. 2 - 5; Dec. 14 - 17, 2021
Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 9-10, 2021
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
December 17, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
"NEW"
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks:
May 24 - 28, 2021 (Years I - IV
November 8 - 10, 2021 ( Years I - IV)
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March 25, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
March 30, 2021
August 10, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 30 - April 2; April 20 - 23; May 18 - 21;
June 15 - 18, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Session IV: May 11-13, 2021 (Hybrid) - NEW DATE
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 21 - 22, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 27, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
April 28, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
2021 E&O Conference & Expo*
May 13 - 14, 2021 - Postponed
Doubletree Manchester Downtown
Manchester, NH
2021 Annual Conference *
August 22 - 25, 2021
Westin Portland Harborview
Portland, ME
Substation II Program*
Sept. 14 - 17; Sept. 28 - Oct. 1; Oct. 19 - 22;
Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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September 21, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
September 22, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
2021 Lineworker's Rodeo*
September 23-24, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 19, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
october 20, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
Metering II Program *
November 8 - 10, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 23, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
November 30, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
December 14, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
December 15, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
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APPA RALLY
As you may know, the APPA Legislative Rally will be held virtually this year on March 1st and 2nd. Because the Rally is being held virtually via zoom, this may enable you to participate more fully in the APPA event while scheduling any meetings with Legislators (or their staff) throughout the first week of March. Please respond to this quick pulse survey
if you are interested in participating in the Rally and let us know how we can best support you in scheduling virtual Congressional visits.
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NEPPA RESOLUTIONS
In July 2020, the NEPPA Board of Directors adopted a new resolutions process to develop and adopt official positions for the purposes of legislative and regulatory advocacy. NEPPA’s Advocacy and Reporting Committee has been closely monitoring regulatory and legislative efforts at the federal level and we are reaching out to you to solicit your ideas for advocacy for the 2021-2022 legislative cycle. Please take a moment to review the NEPPA Resolutions Process.
If you are interested in submitting an issue or topic for consideration as an advocacy position, please let us know by emailing either BBiocchi@neppa.org or Pheanue@hmlp.com. The deadline for submitting an issue for consideration is April 15, 2021.
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Transition: President Biden Takes Office, Announces Executive Actions, Schumer Outlines Legislative Priorities, Schumer and McConnell Reach Power Sharing Agreement, ENR Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for DOE Secretary Nominee Jennifer Granholm …
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FERC: FERC Nixes Final Orders; Biden Selects Glick as Chairman…
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Covid-19: Biden Urges Democrats to Pass COVID-19 Relief via Reconciliation
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Condolences
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Gary Dudek. Gary, who was our contact at Koppers Utility and Industrial Products for many years, has been a strong supporter of Public Power. Gary’s wit and wisdom and great smile will be missed by the NEPPA family.
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PUMIC is a member owned, alternative liability insurance Risk Retention Group (PUMIC RRG), under the umbrella of The Public Utilities Risk Management Association (PURMA).
PURMA provides liability insurance programs including Excess Liability, Fleet Auto Liability, Public Officials Liability, Fiduciary and Employee Benefits Liability and Professional Liability.
All members of PUMIC RRG are municipal utilities or associated tax-exempt public entities providing electric, gas, water, sewer, cable TV, telephone and internet services.
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Congratulations are in order for NEPPA’s very own Jackie Campbell who has recently been promoted to the role of Member Services Coordinator.
In this newly created position, Jackie will be working closely with Wendy on member services, communications and outreach.
One of the many things Jackie will be working on is to better promote the benefits of public power and telling our story through social media. This will include creating micro-video spots, so don’t be surprised if she reaches out to you for a cameo appearance at some point in the future!
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And our favorite Bernie meme.... |
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MEAM Communications & Energy Services committee awards 3 of its members with recognition for outstanding work in the past 2 years special |
December 11, 2020: Online in MA – In a year dominated by exceptional challenges, the Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts Communications and Energy Services committee has singled out three members for their remarkable skills and success.
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Solar Rollout
VPPSA and Encore Renewable Energy are developing the third solar array under their partnership to deploy 10 MW of solar capacity to VPPSA’s 11 municipal utility members.
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Rate Flexibility Legislation
VPPSA has coordinated with its stakeholders to develop legislation designed to allow municipal and cooperative electric utilities to offer innovative rates to their customers.
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Battery Storage RFP
In October 2020, VPPSA released a request for proposals for utility-scale battery storage. The proposals have been reviewed and four vendor finalists have been selected.
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New beginnings and a bright future for Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CMEEC”)
Norwich, CT - February 2, 2021 - CMEEC, a six-member joint action agency headquartered in Norwich, CT, is pleased to introduce Dave Meisinger, CMEEC’s Chief Executive Officer, to the New England public power community. , Dave worked for seventeen years as an attorney in private practice, focusing on the energy and public utility sectors. Dave joined CMEEC just over a year ago, in January 2020, relocating to Connecticut after serving as Vice President of Power Supply & Regulatory Affairs at Energy United Electric Membership Corporation in Statesville, North Carolina. Prior to that
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Six Municipal Utilities to Participate in New Solar Project on MMWEC Campus |
(Ludlow, MA) -- February 10, 2021 - Continuing its initiative to provide opportunities to increase the carbon-free portion of its Members’ power portfolios, the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the state’s joint action agency for municipal utilities, has announced plans to construct a 7 megawatt (MW) nameplate capacity solar project on its Ludlow campus. Six MMWEC municipal utility Members are participating in the project.
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Keeping you informed 24/7
NEPPA's COVID-19 Resource Center
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org |
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