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Go Fast, Or Go Far
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
By adulthood, most people have heard of the African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I think the saying can apply to a variety of disciplines, from sports teams to military to …yes – associations.
As the founding fathers of NEPPA were busy answering the question of "What does NEPPA want to be when it grows up?, they were also actively recruiting members, designing the bylaws, creating committee charters, voting on resolutions and in the end – getting stuff done quickly to show the value of what NEPPA can offer. The first few years are crucial to the success of a new organization, and small wins are important to show the non-believers that the organization is for real – and here to stay.
It's important to find people who see the value in the creation of a new organization, people that can help you go far, not just fast. By 1970, NEPPA had started to produce its first regularly scheduled monthly Newsletter. It was titled: “The Consumers’ Electric Systems – the NEPPA News Bulletin”. The versions I’ve reviewed appear to be an organized account of recent happenings in the Northeast and Washington, DC with all articles written by Executive VP Frank Sahlman. One item I found of interest in an early copy were advertisements from four companies: J.H Westerbeke Corp. (Boston, MA); O’Brien & Gere Engineers (Charlotte, NC); R.W. Beck Engineering (Boston, MA); and Southern Engineering Company of Georgia (Atlanta, GA). Wow! Atlanta and Charlotte. I can easily see the value to R.W. Beck (heck we were renting space in their building in downtown Boston), but companies from Georgia and North Carolina? What did they know that other companies from New England did not?
Well, for one thing – companies must have known the value of regional and statewide public power associations and wanted to get in front of the members of those associations. Think about it - It’s much easier and effective to sell a product or service to utilities when they are all in one room versus driving throughout the backroads to find each medium and small sized public power system. To go far, go together.
It's also important to point out that NEPPA was in many ways late to the game. You will see this with just a quick review of the creation dates of similar state and regional associations: TVPPA (Tenn.) 1946; NWPPA (Wash.) 1940; KMU (Kan.) 1928; FMEA (Flor.) 1942; MEUA (New York) 1930; CMA (Cali.) 1933; IMEA (Ind.) 1941 and MEAM (Mass.) 1953. By 1965, many of the regional and national manufacturers had been dealing with associations for over 35 years. Thus, I’m not surprised that a sample 1980 monthly newsletter, now titled “Power Lines”, had 37 advertisements. In fact, I’d say there was more lines of print in advertising than in the newsletter itself - maybe too much of a good thing.
I read through the variety of companies, and as expected, some have disappeared (like First Boston), some have been taken over by large companies (like R.W. Beck), some have been divided (like Westinghouse & Allis Chalmers), and others have not changed much at all. It’s good to see the familiar names we still meet with today at NEPPA events, companies such as Hendrix, E.L. Flowers, Advanced Control Systems, Wahn Co, and Northeast Electrical Testing.
Anyone who has ever worked for, or been affiliated with, an association understands the value of the partnerships made with these companies and individuals that work directly with the membership. Their support is crucial to the financial success of the organization, and NEPPA is no different. So, kudos to all the corporate and affiliate members of NEPPA. We thank you not only for your support today and over the past 65 years – but in advance as we attempt to go far on this journey together.
Soldier on,
-Mike
| | Upcoming Training & Events | | |
2025 Annual Conference
August 17-20, 2025
Hotel Champlain, Curio by Hilton
60 Battery St., Burlington, VT
Join your professional colleagues for 4 days of educational sessions, roundtables, networking, sponsor exhibits, and more!
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GM/Leadership
Roundtable
July 23, 2025
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Chainsaw Safety
July 24, 2025
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Advanced Lineworker Program
3 Days/4 Weeks
August 12-14,
August 26-28,
September 9-11,
September 23-25
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Tactical Tuesday
August 12, 2025
Held Virtually
Presenter: Brendan Cook, Senior Sales Executive for Convey (Formerly Message Broadcast)
Topic: Customer Engagement Challenges & Best Practices
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Hoisting 1B-1D
September 2, 2025
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Hoisting 2A-2C
September 3, 2025 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center Littleton, MA
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General Foreman Roundtable
September 4, 2025 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center Littleton, MA
| | Tax Policy: Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes Senate … | | EPA: EPA Announces Repeal of Power Plant Rules … | | Legislation: House E&C Advances Energy-Related Bills… | |
Dave Schofield Retires as General Manager of Georgetown Municipal Light Department, Mary Snow Named Acting Manager
June, 2025 - Georgetown, MA - The Georgetown Municipal Light Department (GMLD) and the Town of Georgetown recently celebrated GMLD General Manager Dave Schofield on his retirement from the department after a 25-year career in the electric utility industry. Schofield retired on May 29th after serving as General Manager since 2013. The GMLD Board of Light Commission has named Mary Snow as its Acting General Manager. Mary joined Georgetown Light in 2015 as a Business/Customer Service Coordinator and was promoted to Business Manager in 2020, and Assistant General Manager in January 2025. Before joining the department, she worked as a Customer Service Coordinator and Referral Program Manager.
| | Dave Schofield, Retired General Manager | | Mary Snow, New Acting General Manager | | Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department's Annual Electrical Safety Program | | | | June 26, 2025 - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) conducted its annual electrical safety program at the Galvin Middle School during the last weeks of school. Pictured above, WMGLD Electric Superintendent Paul Redmond (back left), and Second Class Lineworker Paul Watts (back right), talked with the fifth graders students about the importance of keeping safe around electricity. Pictured to the left, Second Class Lineworker Paul Watts (left) and Electric Superintendent Paul Redmond (right) conducted a hands-on demonstration of the safety equipment used by lineworkers. During the program, several students had the opportunity to try on some of the safety equipment used by WMGLD lineworkers. | | GELD and Lightshift Unveil a Second Battery Storage Project and Microgrid | | |
June 18, 2025 - Groton, MA - Groton Electric Light Department (GELD) and Lightshift Energy, a leading energy storage project developer, owner and operator, on Wednesday hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a second battery storage project and microgrid in Groton, Massachusetts. The energy storage project will primarily serve two key needs: reducing grid load during peak events, saving millions for GELD customers, and providing direct backup power to Florence Roche Elementary School.
Solidifying Massachusetts as a leader in the nation's clean energy deployment, representatives from across the state, including State Undersecretary of Energy Michael Judge, participated in the project ribbon cutting ceremony. The speakers celebrated how this 3 megawatt battery storage project is a testament to the state’s innovative approach to clean energy with the pairing of a peak shaving project and microgrid that brings multiple benefits to the local community.
| | (SELCO) Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operation's Police Station Solar Project Underway | | |
July 2, 2025 - Shrewsbury, MA – Construction is now underway for the installation of solar panels on the carport and roof of the new Shrewsbury Police Station. This solar project marks the first of several planned, cost-saving initiatives to add renewable energy generation to public buildings throughout the town.
In alignment with the Town of Shrewsbury’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and SELCO’s Power Supply Policy, the solar array will provide the community with clean, renewable energy while reducing dependence on volatile energy markets. The 274 kW system will produce approximately 305,800 kilowatt-hours annually, enough to power about 34 Shrewsbury homes per year.
“The completion of this solar project will mark the final step in delivering a modern, efficient, and sustainable police station for our community. It also highlights the tremendous value of having a municipal electric utility like SELCO as a partner, one that shares our commitment to clean energy, innovation, and improving the quality of life for Shrewsbury residents. This is a true example of what local collaboration can achieve,” stated Keith Baldinger, Assistant Town Manager of Operations for the Town of Shrewsbury.
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VPPSA Signs Agreement to Provide Power Services to GlobalFoundaries Vermont Facility
June 19, 2025 - Waterbury Center, VT – The Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) has entered into agreement with GF Power LLC, a subsidiary of GlobalFoundaries (GF) to provide administrative and market participation services in support of GF’s operations at its facility in Essex Junction.
Under the agreement, VPPSA will act as the load serving entity (LSE) and lead market participant (LMP) for GF Power’s resources in the ISO New England wholesale electricity markets. VPPSA will manage key administrative functions for GF Power including analyzing and recommending procurement decisions, day-ahead scheduling, settlement services, energy and capacity contract management, and compliance with Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES). VPPSA’s will ensure market registration, performance monitoring, and central dispatch settlement on behalf of GF Power.
| | Keeping you Connected... Events & Opportunities | | |
After reviewing many ideas for how to recognize Northeast Public Power Association’s 60th Anniversary milestone, we have decided to mark the occasion with a memorial bench dedicated to Public Power Employees. This one-of-a-kind bench will serve to celebrate the spirit of Public Power, recognizing those who have dedicated their lives to keeping the lights on in their communities, especially those who have fallen in the line of that mission.
The fully constructed bench will be revealed at our 60th Anniversary celebration, to be held at the NEPPA training facility on November 3, 2025 (more details to come). In order to fund this bench, we are looking for member donations. Additionally, If you have salvaged materials you can contribute to the bench (crossarms, poles, insulators, meters, braces, etc.) please email a description of the item(s) with pictures to communications@neppa.org.
| | | | A Mirror: Your Most Important PPE | |
July 2025 - Look around your job site. There are hazards, including suspended loads, moving equipment, environment, electricity, insects, falling objects, poison ivy, and traffic. We all work for a company with an effective safety program; you have been trained in hazard identification and mitigation. Your mitigation plan to control some hazards includes PPE. You inspect it, store it properly, and wear it as directed. In short, you protect it so it can protect you. Finally, you are covered in PPE from head to toe and ready to go to work. Or are you? Have you forgotten the essential PPE you will ever use – a mirror?
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