Two Words
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
Words can never adequately convey the deep sense of pride and thankfulness that follow our Annual Conference. Pride in the unique model that is Public Power, pride in our talented, dedicated workforce, and pride in the Neppa Staff for making this event a terrific, informative and fun event for over 300 attendees. Thank you hardly seems to cover it.
This year’s Annual Conference at the Omni Mount Washington, was certainly one to remember. Wally Haase, GM of the
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority wowed the crowd with his presentation on Light Up Navajo Nation. Accompanied by Alex Hoffman from
APPA, Sean Hamilton, GM, at
Sterling and Scott Larsen, General Line Foreman at
Littleton Electric Light, attendees got a 360 degree perspective of this effort to bring electricity to over 15,000 households still without electricity on Navajo Nation. Fourteen lineworkers from Massachusetts travelled to Navajo Nation earlier this year to assist with this effort and plans are underway for another round next spring.
Also front and center at the Conference were impactful presentations on cyber security and developing a cyber culture of vigilance. This theme was reiterated throughout the conference and identified as one of the greatest challenges for public power in the coming years by
APPA CEO, Sue Kelly who was a keynote speaker at the event.
With over 40 participants at the General Manager Roundtable, we were able to have a robust discussion about proposed changes to the Mutual Aid agreement. Much has changed since the program’s inception and there was thoughtful conversation about making the agreement work for today’s world. As I write this, over 20 teams are preparing to head to Florida in advance of Hurricane Dorian.
Our Awards Banquet was jam-packed with good food, great networking and awards galore. Hat’s off to all the deserving winners and especially our Person of the Year: Jackie Crowley from
Middleborough. And, it was a poignant moment to hand a Distinguished Service award to Sean Hamilton from
Sterlimg who is a 40-year veteran of public power and finished his 6
th term on the Board this year.
And whether you hiked, golfed or took the cog to the Summit, our Benevolent Fund Activities were a big hit. The Benevolent Fund has been growing steadily over the past few years and we have been able to help several families in need in recent months. A huge shout out to Brian Evans-Mongeon who announced at the Conference that
Utility Services would match dollar for dollar any donations that came in to the Benevolent before the end of the year, up to $2500 total. This is a great boost for the fund and will enable us to further help those in need.
So, if you missed it, you really missed something special. So, mark your calendars now for August 15-18 2020 for next year’s Conference at the Stoweflake Resort in Stowe Vermont. But you don’t have to wait until then to see us again…the
Lineworker Rodeo is right around the corner on September 26
th. Lots of great things happening here at Neppa thanks to all of you!
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Upcoming Training & Events
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For more information and/ or to donate: Call the NEPPA office at 978-540-2207
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Oct. 21; Nov. 4 & 18; Dec. 9
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Sept. 24 - 27; Oct. 8 - 11
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Year I:
Oct. 29 - Nov. 1
Year II:
Sept. 17 - 20; Nov. 5 - 8
Year III:
Sept. 24 - 27; Nov. 19 - 22
Year IV:
Oct. 8 - 11; Dec. 10 - 13
Apprentice Graduation:
Dec. 12
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Oct. 1 - 4; Oct. 22 - 25; Nov. 19 - 22
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Lineworkers Rodeo
September 26-27, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 3, 2019
Weidmann Electrical Technology
St. Johnsbury, VT
Outage Management & Emergency Communications Roundtable *
October 23, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
October 29 - 31, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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November 6 - 7, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Annual Membership Meeting *
December 6, 2019
Courtyard Marriott
Nashua, NH
December 16, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Make Up Classes:
Course Dates & Topics *
NEPPA is offering the following make-up classe at the Training Center for anyone who was unable to attend their regularly scheduled @Your-Site session:
* Please note that dates are subject to change.
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@Your-Site Online Training
Beginning in 2019, NEPPA is pleased to partner with J.J. Keller & Associates to provide on-demand, online training.
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Energy Policy:
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FERC readies ruling on PJM states resource
subsidies,
APPA preps comments to FERC’s
Performance
Metrics proposal,
FERC grants ISO-NE extension for market reform proposal, LaFleur departs FERC…
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2019 NEPPA Annual Conference Photo Album
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Washington Electric Co-op Offers Members New Energy and Cost Saving Incentives
100 percent renewable electric cooperative partners with Efficiency Vermont to help members monitor energy use, conserve energy and switch from fossil fuel appliances
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East Montpelier, VT- August 19
, 2019 –Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) is pleased to announce several new opportunities for its members to conserve energy, save money, and update old fossil fuel appliances with energy-efficient electric ones.
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South Hadley’s
internet hooking up homes
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SOUTH HADLEY - September 7, 2019 — The town’s municipal internet service, Fibersonic, has reached its first three neighborhoods, with four more neighborhoods likely to be added within the year.
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
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