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WWJD
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
When I was a child, I always thought that someone who was labeled a "hero" was someone who stood about 6 feet 3 inches tall, could lift 500 pounds, and who used their guns or superpowers to destroy the bad guys. Shows on tv at the time, showed stars like Adam West overcoming adversity while wearing tights and thus we called him a superhero. In fact – I don’t think this phenomenon has really changed much. The Batman franchise has raked in millions of dollars over the past few decades, as children have called Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Michael Keaton “Heroes”. When asked in a classroom assignment during high school "Who is a hero to you?", many of my friends spit out names like “Batman”, “Superman” or “The Hulk”. The wiser kids in the room tended to read through the loaded question and say things like “My Father”, “My Grandmother” or “My Older Brother”.
Well, I believe the answers we gave to our teachers as 16 years olds would differ today, as we’ve come to realize that Superman and Wonder Woman are just actors and actresses. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and some are not easily discernable in their normal setting. My mom loved Audie Murphy. Loved him like many folks love a movie star. Heck, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he starred in over 40 major films, played alongside Jimmy Stewart, James Cagney and Sandra Dee. He was good looking, could dance, wrote and performed his own songs – he was a heartthrob, no doubt. But to my dad Audie Murphy was the epitome of a true hero. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War II. His commendations range from three purple hearts, to the medal of honor, and just about every award in between. His military bio is a thing of lore – and to think that he lied about his birthdate just to serve his country is truly amazing. Audie Murphy stood 5’5” tall and weighed 110 pounds when he enlisted in 1942. Good things do indeed come in small packages.
So, who’s your hero? Does Public Power have heroes? In my January Newsline, I mentioned the names of a few giants in the northeast that set out on a journey to create NEPPA. Without these industry heroes, I wouldn’t be writing this newsletter. So, let me tell you of another true Public Power hero - one that many of you might not have heard, but one that has fascinated me since I learned of him over 30 years ago. His name is Ezra Scattergood.
Mr. Scattergood was a power engineer from New Jersey who graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and then received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell. He taught briefly at Georgia Tech but ultimately made his way out west. Mr. Scattergood was keen on hydro power as a way to meet the goal of low-cost electrification of the City of Los Angeles. In 1909, he was named the Chief Electrical Engineer at the Bureau of Los Angeles Aqueduct Power, which in 1911 became the Bureau of Power and Light. By 1937, mergers occurred, and the name changed to what still stands today: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Ezra Scattergood was there the whole way – leading the construction of various hydro projects along the Owens River Aqueduct. However, his greatest feat was convincing the federal government to help fund the construction of the Boulder Canyon Project – commonly known as the Hoover Dam. Mr. Scattergood also went on to secure a federal loan to build and design the 266 mile, 287 KV lines from the project to LADWP. It took five years to build those lines, and in 1936 this was the longest high voltage transmission line in the world, and all because an engineer from New Jersey decided not to take no for an answer and was relentless in his pursuit of low-cost electricity to power southern California. Ezra Scattergood has been anointed "The Father of Public Power", as he helped start the American Public Power Association with his efforts in the late 1930’s, as well as served as President. By my definition – a true Public Power hero. As a side note: If you get the chance to stop by APPA’s office, there is a two-foot piece of that 287 KV copper line in a glass case by the front desk. Cool is an understatement. A bit different than Audie Murphy’s star on Hollywood Boulevard, but I think it’s similarly symbolic sitting at APPA’s office.
I am fortunate to have worked in this industry since 1983 and have learned of and met many great people. As I have been researching the formation of NEPPA and the key players involved – one of the items that has popped up in a variety of articles, letters, newspapers, etc. – is the “Shrewsbury Municipal Light Department vs New England Power Company” case. It dates back to the days pre-NEPPA, but I found it interesting that the case was argued before the Federal Power Commission by a lawyer from the firm Goldberg and Spiegel by the name George Spiegel. I had met George when I was working at APPA, but at that time his firm was Spiegel and McDiarmid. I knew Bob McDiarmid much better, and admired that Bob was an engineer turned lawyer, bringing a unique perspective to his cases. A couple of weeks ago at the TAPS Meeting in DC, I caught up with Cindy Bogorad and Will Huang of Spiegel and McDiarmid. I mentioned the research I was undertaking and the fact that Spiegel’s name is mentioned in just about every document, including the case mentioned above. I was delighted when both Cindy and Will’s eyes lit up – and they both exclaimed “Oh, we know the Shrewsbury case.” Fancy that – two top notch lawyers in DC in 2025, yet they can site the "Shrewsbury Case" from the early 60’s like it was yesterday. This made me dig a bit deeper. Bam! I found the hero in our story - Mr. James E. Baker of Shrewsbury, Ma.
James Baker had an instrumental impact on the relationship between municipal utilities and investor-owned utilities, not just in the northeast, but throughout many parts of the United States. This "Shrewsbury case" was and is a big deal. As the Manager of Shrewsbury MLP, and one of the leaders of the Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts, Mr. Baker decided to take on New England Power to fight for just and reasonable rates. As we entered the early 1960’s, it was evident that the IOU’s in New England were gouging the municipal systems. I’ve found a variety of articles to support these claims, and in 1966 the Boston Globe did a comprehensive series entitled: ”Our High Cost of Electricity”. Electric rates in the Northeast were 13.5% higher than the national average and there was no relief in sight. Sound familiar?
Mr. Baker is cited in an article in the Boston Globe as follows: “James Baker of Shrewsbury is the prototype fighter for the feisty municipals ... municipal managers complained privately of ‘price gouging’ each time NEPCO raised rates, but neither he nor colleagues protested to the company, seeing it as a futile mission” ... “But in 1960 something happened that made Baker so mad he decided to bite the bullet” ... “Shrewsbury became the Little David who defeated the monolithic giant.” It’s fitting that there’s a picture of Mr. Baker in the 1980 NEPPA Powerlines Newsletter which caption states “James E Baker: He took on Goliath”
When thinking of our continued fights with the big utilities, it kind of makes me want to create a bracelet with "WWJD" on it. Nope, this one will not have any religious undertones. Instead, it will stand for “WHAT WOULD JAMES BAKER DO?” Maybe it's time to get feisty.
-Mike
| | Upcoming Training & Events | | |
2025 RodE&O
May 5-8, 2025
We'll kick off with the Benevolent Fund Golf Tournament on Monday and then onto The Annual Lineworkers' Rodeo on Tuesday. Educational breakout sessions will follow on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as an exhibit hall, tastings, cornhole and more.
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Tactical Tuesday
May 13, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held Virtually
(Free for Members)
(SEL) Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
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Strategic Rate Setting:
Balancing Utility & Customer Needs
May 29, 2025
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Apprentice Lineworker Rodeo
June 4-5, 2025
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Tactical Tuesday
June 10, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held Virtually
(Free for Members)
Topic and Presenter to be announced
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IT Roundtable
June 16, 2025
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Hoisting 1B-1D
June 17, 2025
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Hoisting 2A-2C
June 18, 2025
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Energy Policy: House E&C subcommittee questions grid executives on reliability…
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| | Grant Funding: DOE unveils “hit list” of proposed energy project cancelations… | | Tariffs: White House officials indicate some countries may avoid reciprocal tariffs… | | ("Capital for a Day" visitors tour Stowe Electric's historic 1822 Seaver Sawmill) | |
VT Public Service Department Visits Stowe Electric for Lamoille County’s
“Capital for a Day” Tour
March 14, 2025 - On February 28th, Stowe Electric Department (SED) hosted officials from the VT Public Service Department (PSD) as part of Governor Phil Scott’s "Capital for a Day" tour of Lamoille County. PSD Commissioner Kerrick Johnson was joined by PSD staffers TJ Poor, Alek Antczak, and Hunter Thompson, as well as Department of Labor (DOL) Workforce Development Business Services Manager Nermin Elezovic.
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Utilities Honored with National Award for Reliable Electric Operations
April 2, 2025 - The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. This year, 52 utilities earned the designation, and a total of 251 public power utilities nationwide hold the RP3 designation. 21 NEPPA member utilities were awarded.
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HG&E Continues Evaluation of Residential Fiber
March 7, 2025 - In 2021, HG&E completed an interest campaign that was designed to better understand customer demand for municipal fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband service. While HG&E is interested in providing FTTH service and is currently providing residential broadband service within Holyoke on a very limited basis, there must be sufficient demand for the service for a city-wide venture to make economic sense and not have an adverse effect on utility rates.
HG&E has been offering fiberoptic internet services to municipal and commercial customers since 1998 and provides wholesale internet services to several Western Massachusetts municipalities that have launched FTTH networks. In working with these municipalities, HG&E has gained significant experience with FTTH projects and has learned that project economics vary in each community, depending on build-out costs, demand for the service, and rates that customers are willing to pay for the service.
| | (Peter Londa, President and CEO of Tantalus Systems (left) and Gregory Phipps, General Manager of RMLD (right) sign contract to accelerate grid modernization) | |
Reading Municipal Light Department and Tantalus Systems Announce Partnership to Accelerate Grid Modernization
Reading, MA - March 24, 2025 - Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) and Tantalus Systems (Tantalus), a smart grid technology company, are excited to announce their partnership to implement the RMLD Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) replacement program beginning in 2025. Accelerating grid modernization through AMI further equips RMLD to bring customers reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy.
AMI is a fixed-network metering system that enables increased communication to RMLD meters throughout the network. This pivotal technology will transform RMLD’s meter infrastructure into a forward-looking, multi-directional grid. The new RMLD AMI will leverage the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform™ (TGMP™) to improve resiliency, reliability, and efficiency in a secure and affordable manner. TGMP's smart grid architecture will allow RMLD to integrate connected devices, communications networks, grid data management, applications, and analytics into its operations and services. This comprehensive approach will provide greater levels of visibility and control across the entire grid. Real-time data from TGMP will be a key tool for RMLD customers as they look to manage their usage and explore ways to save on energy bills.
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SHELD Completes Milestone Advanced Metering Infrastructure Upgrade
South Hadley, MA - Winter 2025 - A years-long metering project is now complete at South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD). The department recently finished installing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) electric meters town wide. As SHELD’s electric meters were nearly 20 years old and reaching the end of their life, General Manager Sean Fitzgerald, backed by the municipal light board, spearheaded the effort to replace the old meters with AMI ones. The bids, collection, and installation were managed by SHELD staff, with Electrical Engineer Matthew DelMonte, leading the team. All meters were installed by SHELD Electrician Robert Blasko and Electrical Maintenance Technician Shane Lavoie.
| Pictured above: SHELD’s Shane Lavoie and Robert Blasko | | | |
MMWEC Visits Governor Michael Dukakis
April 15, 2025 - MMWEC is incredibly honored to have visited with Governor Michael Dukakis on Tuesday, April 15th. Fifty years ago, Governor Dukakis (now 91 years old) signed the legislation to establish MMWEC as a not for profit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth, created to serve as the Commonwealth's designated joint action agency for municipal utilities. MMWEC presented the Governor with a framed resolution approved by the MMWEC Board of Directors, recognizing his role in the creation of MMWEC in 1975. Governor Dukakis is a longtime supporter of MMWEC and public power, and recognizes the power of joint action to achieve economies of scale.
Picture on the left: (In order from left to right) MMWEC CEO Ronald DeCurzio, MMWEC Chairman of the Board and Gubernatorial Appointee Mike Flynn, and MMWEC President and Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light General Manager Peter Dion, with Governor Michael Dukakis in front.
| | Keeping You Connected...
Events & Opportunities | | |
Host a Fellow!
UMass Lowell Municipal Fellowship
The Municipal Fellowship is a unique opportunity for Massachusetts municipalities to receive dedicated support on energy transition projects at no cost to the town. Designed to provide high-impact, flexible assistance, this fellowship places skilled professionals in communities based on their specific needs.
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Fellows may support projects in areas such as:
Electrification
Geothermal energy
Grant writing and applications
Community outreach
Marketing and communications
Finance and budgeting
Data analysis
Research and policy
If your town or entity would like to apply to host a fellow, please fill out the municipal fellow intake form to be considered.
For any questions about the fellowship program, reach out by email to: MACELT@uml.edu.
| | Pictured above: NEPPA's Metering I Program students look on while instructor John Lanciani provides a demonstration | |
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E&M Consulting, Inc. is working on producing our 2025 Membership Directory. E&M is currently contacting all members about advertising opportunities available. The publication will be mailed to every member – a great opportunity to promote and give your company additional exposure!
If you have any questions or want to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext. 0104 or advertising@eandmsales.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
| | | | Not a Big Deal, Until it is | |
April 2025 - Most of us have heard of the saying “it is not a big deal until it is.” Whether it is related to production or safety, there are always issues that are recognized, but nothing is done to correct them in a timely matter. These issues are left unchanged until something occurs, and then it becomes a huge deal to upper management or someone else.
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