Virtual Impact
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
In an era of on-going threats to the public power business model, members of NEPPA’s Advocacy and Reporting Committee participated in our annual Legislative Fly-in held virtually over the past several weeks. Our goals were to build and strengthen relationships and offer the association as a resource on energy policy in the New England Region to the New England Congressional delegation.
Despite the challenge of conducting visits over zoom, the virtual fly-in was impactful because it enabled NEPPA to weigh in on a number of key initiatives including the bipartisan infrastructure and budget reconciliation bills and the potential adoption of the Clean Energy Performance Program (CEPP).
In addition, we met with staff members from FERC Commissioners Glick and Clements offices to convey our thoughts on the importance of accommodating individual states’ policy preferences regarding decarbonization while balancing the costs to the consumer as part of a “just and reasonable” analysis.
NEPPA members praised the Commission for holding a technical conference on modernizing ISO-New England’s capacity market – a reform we have long advocated for. NEPPA is currently working through the publicly owned utility sector group on changes to the Minimum Offer Price Rule and we restated our support for a restoration of our ability to self-supply capacity.
It was a successful series of meetings and I want to thank the Advocacy and Reporting Committee, under the capable leadership of Ken Nolan, for the continued effort and commitment to getting NEPPA’s voice heard on the Hill. And a tip of the hat to Meguire Whitney for the high level of support in arranging these important meetings.
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Upcoming Training & Events |
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NEPPA’s Metering II Program is designed to build upon the introductory concepts of Metering I. Metering II explores advanced application of concepts, how to apply theory in practice and understand system design elements and equipment.
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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.
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No conference this year? No problem!
Join NEPPA’s Customer Service Subcommittee for a virtual roundtable covering hot topics in the Public Power industry.
Members will meet in small groups to share insights into best practices, discuss current programs and help provide tools for the future!
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Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 8 - 10, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
November 30, 2021 NEW DATE
8:30 am (EST)
December 1, 2021 NEW DATE
8:30 am (EST)
Annual Membership Meeting*
December 2, 2021
TBD Location
Dec 7, 2021
Dec 8, 2021
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2021 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Year I: Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
Year II: Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2021
Year III: Dec. 7 - 10, 2021
Year IV: Nov. 2 - 5; Dec. 14 - 17, 2021
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
December 17, 2021
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2022 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Year I: March 1 – 4; April 5 – 8; Sept. 13 – 16; Nov. 1 – 4, 2022
Year II: March 8 – 11; April 12 – 15; Sept. 27 – 30; Nov. 15 – 18, 2022
Year III: March 15 – 18; April 26 – 29; Oct. 4 – 7; Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2022
Year IV: March 22 – 25; May 3 – 6; Oct. 18 – 21; Dec. 6 – 9, 2022
Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 15 – 16, 2022
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation: Dec. 9, 2022
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks
The following “Make-Up Weeks” are scheduled for any student who needs to make-up time in the Program and/or conduct competencies for the Program.
May 16 – 20, 2022 (Years I – IV)
November 7 – 10, 2022 (Years I – IV)
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December 14, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
December 15, 2021
8:30 am (EST)
January 12, 2022
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Virtual
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Annual Conference*
August 14-17, 2022
Stoweflake Mountain Resort
& Conference Center
Stowe, VT
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FERC: Senate ENR Panel Holds Hearing on the Scope and Administration of FERC Priorities; FERC Holds Reliability Technical Conference; Biden Nominates Willie Phillips to FERC… |
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MGED Adds to it's Substantial Commitment for Renewable Hydropower Supply |
Middleborough, MA September 17, 2021 – Middleborough Gas and Electric Department affirmed its groundbreaking commitment to Massachusetts hydropower by extending its contract with FirstLight Power of Burlington, Massachusetts. The deal, which helps to keep MGED rates affordable while growing the carbon-free share of the MGED power portfolio, will now extend an additional 10 years to 2040.
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Vineyard Wind Forms First-in-the-Nation Partnership with Municipal Light Plants to Help Massachusetts Communities Go Green
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Mansfield, MA, October 13, 2021 – Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), today announced that the company’s recent “Commonwealth Wind” proposal includes a first of its kind partnership with Energy New England (ENE) that will allow Municipal Light Plants (MLPs) to purchase offshore wind power, an opportunity that will green the portfolios of MLPs across the state.
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The Benevolent Fund gets a boost!
Groton, MA - September 23, 2021
It was a beautiful day to engage in our Benevolent Fund Golf Tournament. Thank you to Leading Edge Real Estate, Arthur J. Hurley Co. and mPower for stepping up to be our Golf Sponsor this year! Preliminary figures indicate that over $5000 was raised for this important cause. Thank you to all who participated or sponsored!
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Updates from the APPA monthly
Policy Makers Council
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Thank you to Bob Holland of Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, who shared some updates from APPA Policy Makers Council
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (bipartisan infrastructure bill)
- On September 29, APPA President & CEO Joy Ditto sent a letter to congressional leadership outlining provisions in H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which would benefit public power. The provisions include funding for electric vehicles (EV), cybersecurity, grid resiliency, and smart grid technology, increased funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Department of Energy (DOE) research, development, and deployment efforts that will assist public power utilities as they continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Powered by the sun, Morrisville Salvage Yard’s new solar array is adding value to the community |
Morrisville, VT — September 9, 2021 - Encore Renewable Energy and VPPSA announced today the commissioning of a new 2.1 MW community solar array located at a former auto salvage yard. The project was developed as part of a partnership between Encore Renewable Energy and the VPPSA to develop, finance, and construct approximately 10 MW of solar capacity on behalf of VPPSA’s municipal utility members.
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Advertising for the 2022 NEPPA Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England is now underway!
The Northeast Public Power Association has partnered again with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England. The publication will be available in both print and digital formats. E&M will be managing the project, including advertising sales and layout/graphic design. They are extremely professional and produce a high-quality publication, and we ask that you give them a moment of your time. E&M will be contacting all members about the 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 would like to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext.8005 or advertising@emconsultinginc.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org |
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