Observations from the APPA National Conference & Expo
by Dave White, Executive Director
The American Public Power Association (APPA) held its annual National Conference & Public Power Expo from June 16th to the 21st in Orlando, Florida. This event provided attendees with opportunities to share information with peers, be inspired by excellent speakers, and learn what's next for electric utilities.
Here's a few notes from the conference:
- State and regional public power association staff gathered to discuss challenges to the industry including pole attachment legislation under consideration in several states.
- The PowerPAC Board of Directors received an excellent report from staff and is poised to continue supporting candidates for elected office who understand the value of public power.
- We learned how one utility is looking to use electric school buses both to transport students and to be available as mobile storage units, powering emergency shelters or even being available for peak shaving.
- Amy Myers Jaffee talked about energy independence and pointed out that debates about climate change may not be as significant as the fact that a growing customer segment is demanding distributed generation and efficiency technologies.
- Bill Bottiggi (Braintree), Sean Hamilton (Sterling), and Tim Hebert (ENE) were excellent breakout session speakers.
- At the Business Meeting, the APPA adopted a resolution co-sponsored by NEPPA calling on Congress to conduct hearings on the implementation of the Federal Power Act.
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Upcoming Training & Events
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Metering II
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Aug. 7 & 28; Sept. 18, Oct. 2 & 23; Nov. 13; Dec. 4 & 18 (Littleton, MA)
Effective Use of Social Media for Utilities
Metering I
, Sept. 11, Oct. 16, Nov. 27; Dec. 11 (Littleton, MA)
Substation II,
Sept. 19 - 22; Oct. 24 - 27, Dec. 19 - 22; Jan. 8 - 12 (Littleton, MA)
General Foreman's Roundtable, October 11 (Littleton, MA) *
Public Utility Accounting (APPA)
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October 16 - 17 (Littleton, MA) *
Work Order & Asset Management (APPA),
October 18 (Littleton, MA) *
Advanced Public Utility Accounting (APPA)
, October 19 - 20 (Littleton, MA) *
Customer Service Leadership Program, October 19 - 20 (Norwich, CT) *
Public Utility Management Program (PUMP), November 15 - 17 (Littleton, MA) *
Annual Membership Meeting,
December 1 (Nashua, NH) *
* Registration Not Yet Open.
If you're interested in attending any of the above events, please
email Sarah Klingler, Director of Programs & Services at sklingler@neppa.org to be notified as soon as registration becomes available.
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Cast Your Vote for Sterling Municipal!
Energy Storage North America's (ESNA) Innovation Award
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Sterling Municipal Light Department (MA) is a finalist for ESNA's Innovation Award for their Resiliency and Peak Shaving Project and needs your support!
Voting Deadline is Friday, July 7th.
For more information or to cast your vote, visit:
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Sagewell selected to operate a unique electric vehicle peak load management program for municipal utilities
June 21, 2017 - Sagewell, Inc.has received a grant from the Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER) to work with MA municipal utilities to launch an innovative electric vehicle (EV) peak load reduction program.
Interested municipal utilities are encouraged to
contact Sagewell at (617) 963-8141 or info@sagewell.com to join the program and begin reducing their monthly and annual peak load costs.
Ludlow, Minnechaug HS Students Receive MMWEC Scholarship Awards
June 19, 2017 - The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) has awarded four $1,000 scholarships to Ludlow High School and Minnechaug Regional High School Class of 2017 graduates
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This year's winners are:
Ludlow High School
Lilian Brown
Emmet Dec
Minnechaug Regional High School
Joseph Burzdak
Travis Van Brewer
"We are so proud to support these outstanding, accomplished students," said MMWEC Chief Executive Officer Ron DeCurzio. "We wish them much success in college and beyond," he said.
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Jim Smith, General Manager of TTD to Retire
In July, the Third Taxing District ("TTD") of East Norwalk, Connecticut is bidding a fond farewell to its beloved General Manager since May of 2012, Jim Smith.
Jim, to date, has not only been able to move TTD forward, but also to keep the organization mission-focused and working tightly together. "I view TTD as 'family'. It is vital to work harmoniously with clear communication and understanding, and most importantly remain focused on our primary mission to keep the lights on for our 7,000+ residents and the businesses of East Norwalk."
From improving project management, to team building, to customer connections, these and many other achievements are the legacy of Jim Smith - and his beloved TTD team.
Bon voyage, Jim!
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Arc Hazard Assessment CFR 29 1910.269(l)(8)
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In 2014 O
SHA updated the 1910.269 Electrical Standard. In that update, a requirement for an "Arc Hazard Assessment" was implemented which requires each employer to assess whethe
r or not an employee is exposed to flames or electric arcs.
If any employees, such as electrical lineworkers, meter technicians, etc., are found to be exposed to electric arcs, the employer is required to reasonably estimate the incident heat energy of said exposure to those employees.
Appendix E of this section is a guide to help with this estimate and any employer that follows this guide is deemed by OSHA to be in compliance with this requirement.
This rule is not only an OSHA law but also a great step in protecting exposed workers to the terrible effects of an arc flash.
The obligation date for this important safety measure was January 1, 2015.
If you have questions, please contact Steve Socoby at the NEPPA office or call him directly at 978-540-2204.
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The American Public Power Association offers an ongoing series of educational webinars that you and/or your staff can access through any computer.
Upcoming Webinars Include:
July 5, 2017 -
Board-Driven Performance Evaluation: Governance & Management
July 6, 2017 - DEED Webinar: Biopower Decision-Making & Best Practices
July 11, 2017 - Using Information Technology Benchmarks to Evaluate IT Resources
July 18, 2017 -
Performing a Utility Financial Check-Up
July 27, 2017 -
Maintaining or Improving Your Utility's Bond Rating
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