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"The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do." - Michael Porter
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
Earlier this year, the NEPPA Board worked with a consulting firm to review the work being performed by NEPPA and it’s staff. The idea was to question and review each area covered by the association, and sometimes even question the priority of some of the work. The end goal is to create a new strategic plan for NEPPA, one that we can rally around for the next few years. In that vein, I’m very happy to report that at last week’s Board of Directors meeting in Hull, MA, the Board unanimously approved the new 2024 – 2027 Strategic Plan for NEPPA. Yippee! Cool! Yee-ha!
Oh snap – doesn’t that mean we now have to find a way to carry out the new plan? Yep! Also, doesn’t that change all the projects we have been working on over the past few years? Nope! And doesn’t that mean we are now stuck in a swim lane for three years, and can’t find flexibility? Nope! But wait – doesn’t a new strategic plan mean a whole lot of additional goals, and thus having too many projects with too many competing priorities? No, I kindly disagree.
Let me explain.
Question 1: Does staff and the army of volunteers need to focus on the new plan? Yes. Yes we do. Having a plan that leads the association forward is important, and resources need to be assigned to and budgeted. Having a plan is easy – carrying out the plan is the difficult part.
Question 2: Doesn’t that change all the projects we have been working on over the past few years? No it doesn’t. The board, working with the consultant, found that much of what we do is already ‘spot on’. Priorities can be tweaked, emphasized, de-emphasized, and everything in between. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Question 3: Doesn’t that mean we are now stuck in a swim lane for three years, and can’t find flexibility? No, no it doesn’t. The NEPPA 2024-2027 Strategic Plan is a flexible living document. Something isn’t working, lets take a closer look. Times change – such as it did during COVID – our strategies need to change as well.
Question 4: Doesn’t a new strategic plan mean a whole lot of additional priorities, and thus having too many projects with too many competing priorities? Absolutely not. The board was keen on this during our thorough discussions held back in March. If an organization has 27 goals and 38 priorities – nothing will get done. The NEPPA 2024-2027 Plan is ‘lean and mean’. We have four (4) goals, goals that we all can rally around. Beneath those goals - we have 14 objectives.
Our four goals:
Goal 1: Maintain and strengthen NEPPA’s education and training program.
Goal 2: Enhance member experience to attract new members and retain current members.
Goal 3: Improve organization effectiveness.
Goal 4: Increase financial stability of the organization.
Attached to each goal, we have objectives that we all agreed were well placed and supported the four goals. I ask that you go out to the NEPPA website and read the new 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
Click here to review the 2024-2027 Stategic Plan.
I encourage you to view it from the lens of an association tasked with the following Mission and Vision:
Mission: To develop and unite public utility professionals by advancing their knowledge, capabilities, and voice in the industry and workplace.
Vision: To be the most valuable utility resource and training organization in the Northeast.
If you have some thoughts, questions, or simply want to discuss the plan for clarity, please reach out to me. I’d enjoy that. Now before we pat ourselves on the back – let’s review a quote from one of my all-time favorites, Sir Winston Churchill: “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” I can’t agree more. I will have this new plan in all NEPPA staff goals to be evaluated yearly. For now – let’s get after it.
Cheers
-Mike
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NEPPA's Student Scholarship Winners | |
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Alexander Dumas
Graduating from
Holyoke High School
Served by
Holyoke Gas & Electric Department
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Henry Ryczek
Graduating from
Chicopee High School
Served by
Chicopee Electric Light Department
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2024
HIGH SCHOOL
Scholarship Winners
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Scott Upton
Currently enrolled at
Northshore Community College
Served by
Reading Municipal Light Department
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Bethany Cloutier
Currently enrolled
at Miami University
Served by
Groveland Municipal Light Department
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2024
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Scholarship Winners
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This year the Member Value Committee chose to award, not one, but two $500 Scholarships in each category due to the number of impressive applications that were received. We are excited to congratulate the following students: Alexander Dumas, Henry Ryczek, Scott Upton, and Bethany Cloutier.
The NEPPA Student Scholarship Program provides scholarships to Northeast Public Power Association residents/relatives pursuing a higher education. Funded in large part by the NEPPA Member Value Committee, the Student Scholarship is available to students regardless of their academic status, whether just graduating from high school, currently enrolled in college, enrolling in college for the first time, or re-enrolling after a period of time out of college.
Learn More about NEPPA's Student Scholarship
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Upcoming Training & Events | |
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IT Roundtable
June 3, 2024
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Mutual Aid 101
June 4, 2024
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Virtual on Zoom
(Free event)
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Tactical Tuesday
June 11, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Virtual
Topic:
Security Best Practices:
Infrastructure, Data &
How to securely introduce AI into your organization.
Presenter: Tricia King, Vertikal6
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Public Utility Accounting
(APPA In-House Training)
Don't miss the opportunity to attend this sought after course, which hasn't been offered at NEPPA
since 2019!
June 17 - 18, 2024
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Mutual Aid Disaster Exercise
June 26, 2024
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
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Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
July 9, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
Hoisting 1B - 1A
July 23, 2024
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Hoisting 2A - 2C
July 24, 2024
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
August 13, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
2024 Annual Conference*
August 25 - 28, 2024
Bretton Woods, NH
@Your-Site Virtual: Hot Stick Safety
September 4, 2024
8:30 am (EST)
@Your-Site Virtual: Job Briefings
September 5, 2024
8:30 am (EST)
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
September 10, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
Substation II - Session I
September 10 -13, 2024
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Littleton, MA
Metering II
September 24 - 26, 2024
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Littleton, MA
Safety Orientation Program
September 24 - 26, 2024
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Littleton, MA
Public Utility Management Program (PUMP) - Virtual Session II
September 24, 2024
8:30 am - 12:00 pm (EST)
Substation II - Session II
October 1 - 4, 2024
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Littleton, MA
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Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
October 8, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
Hoisting 1B - 1A
October 15, 2024
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Hoisting 2A - 2C
October 16, 2024
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership
October 16 - 17, 2024
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Substation II - Session III
October 22 - 25, 2024
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Littleton, MA
Public Utility Management Program (PUMP) - Session II
October 29 - 31, 2024
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2024 Energy Connect Conference*
October 2024
TBD
OSHA-10 Plus T&D
November 6 - 7, 2024
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Substation II - Session IV
November 19 - 22, 2024
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
November 12, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
December 10, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (EST)
*Please contact communications@neppa.org to be notified as soon as registration opens.
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Appropriations: Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is named House Appropriations Chair. | |
Tax Policy: House GOP announces tax teams... | |
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Energy Policy: Lawmakers reach deal on nuclear energy legislation.
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Did you miss our 2024 RodE&O Conference?
See what people are saying about it!
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May 09, 2024 - "Power association's skills contest on HRA property sparks public's interest" Dolores Sauca Lorusso, Hull Times |
May 7, 2024 - "Climbing, repairing, rescuing. Who does it best? Lineman contest tells" Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger | |
May 8, 2024 - "Northeast Electric Workers Square Off in Annual NEPPA Rodeo" Madison Rogers, WBZ News Radio |
Drone Footage
courtesy of Al Coombs | |
Follow Northeast Public Power Association on social media to see more! | |
Chester Municipal Electric Light Department Holds Public Power Meeting
An Informational Meeting on the Benefits of Public Power was held on April 10, 2024 at 6pm at the Town Hall in Chester. Click below to review a copy of what was presented.
Read More
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EMEC Lineworkers Save Man Using CPR
On Friday May 10, 2024, EMEC linemen Andrew Chambers and Clay MacArthur performed a heroic act of saving a man’s life. The guys had left a job site and noticed a person in a vehicle that was slouched over. They turned their EMEC bucket truck around and found the person unconscious and not breathing in the vehicle. The vehicle was in neutral, and the persons foot was on the gas pedal. The EMEC lineman then performed their life saving procedure exactly as they have been taught over the years. They first started the EMS and called 911. They then proceeded to get the man out of the vehicle and began to administer CPR. Finally, they deployed the use of the AED, and stayed with the patient until the ambulance arrived.
“I know them both personally and I’m not surprised they
sprang into action when the need arose! I’m proud of them both
and realize that any one of our trained linemen would have
done the same thing presented with the same circumstances! Well done!”
- Steve Socoby, NEPPA Trainer
Read More
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Public Power Utilities Earn APPA's Safety Award of Excellence
April 9, 2024 - “In our industry, safety has to be top of mind all day every day,” said Scott McKenzie, Chair of APPA’s Engineering and Operations Conference safety track and Senior Director of Member Training & Safety at AMP Inc. “These honored utilities have demonstrated a commitment to safety that runs through every aspect of their organizations.”
Winning Members:
Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, MA
(Group A, Diamond)
Sterling Municipal Light Department, MA
(Group B, Gold)
Read More
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WMGLD Tree Initiative
Wakefield, MA - April 8, 2024 - The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) has started its tree planting initiative for the 2024 spring season. Now in its third year, the program provides 50 utility-friendly trees at no cost to customers in support of the American Public Power Association (APPA) “Tree Power Initiative” and Arbor Day Foundation’s “The Power of Trees.”
Read More
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APPA's DEED Program Approves Funding for Grants and Scholarships
April 29, 2024 - The American Public Power Association’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments program recently approved funding for various grants and scholarships.
The DEED program approved $909,041 in funding for 31 projects. The action took place at DEED’s Spring 2024 meetings held in New Orleans, La., in April. The DEED program funds research, pilot projects, and education to improve the operations and services of public power utilities.
Several NEPPA members received grants through DEED's most recent round of funding.
Funding for student internships was awarded to:
-Westfield Gas & Electric, MA
-Holyoke Gas & Electric, MA
The following public power utilities and JAAs received grants:
-Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (Scaling Inclusive Utility Investments)
-Stowe Electric Department, VT (Optimized Run of River Hydroelectric Pilot Project)
-Burlington Electric Department, VT (Video as an Educational and Outreach Tool)
Read More
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Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) Partners with Lightshift Energy to Pioneer Community-based Energy Storage at Scale | |
Ludlow, MA – April 25, 2024 – The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the Commonwealth’s designated joint action agency for municipal utilities and Lightshift Energy, a leading energy storage project developer, owner and operator, today announced a first-in-kind program for the industry. Following a highly competitive solicitation process in late 2022, MMWEC chose Lightshift as its exclusive partner to deploy the state’s first jointly implemented fleet of grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Read More
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Keeping You Connected...
Events & Opportunities | | |
APPA's DEED Fall 2024 Grant Application Cycle is Open
May 1, 2024 - Apply by August 15 for the opportunity to secure funding of up to $125,000 for initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs, introducing new services, or enhancing processes and practices for improved customer service.
DEED grants play a crucial role in driving energy innovation by supporting pilot projects, technology demonstrations, and best practice enhancements. Exclusively available to DEED members, these grants result in projects that contribute to increased reliability, safety, and sustainability in public power.
Read More
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PublicPowerX Webinar:
Protecting the Grid - Understanding Physical Security and Ballistic Attacks on Substations
Thursday, May 30, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm
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American Public Power Association (APPA) is hosting a free virtual event in collaboration with Permacast Walls on May 30th at 2:00 pm Eastern. A panel of experts will address physical threats and discuss how to fortify against them. Explore cutting-edge ballistic, blast, and break-in protection products that surpass industry standards. | |
OSHA Northeast Trench & Excavation Safety
Stand Down Kick-off Webinar
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
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Join OSHA Region 1 & 2 Compliance Assistance Specialists for the OSHA Northeast Trench & Excavation Safety Stand Down Kick-off Webinar. This program aims to inform and enhance awareness of working safely in and around trenches and excavations, preventing the all too often fatal caught-in and crushed-by trench collapse incidents.
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HORSEPLAY IN THE WORKPLACE
You may have witnessed horseplay in the workplace: people pushing one another, throwing tools, pulling the chair away when someone goes to sit down, misusing equipment or PPE, distracting those operating heavy machinery, operating machinery recklessly, making a loud noise towards someone, or turning off the lights. These are just some of the incidents of “horseplay” or reckless behavior that can put someone, including yourself, at risk of unnecessary injury or cause property damage. “We were just having fun, or it was just a joke,” is the reason for participating in horseplay. Although, horseplay often involves the characteristics of cruelty, irresponsibility, and immaturity. What was meant to be an innocent or playful action could have deadly consequences.
Read More
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Extend your brand to those who matter! | |
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Advertising for the 2024 NEPPA Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England is now underway!
Dear Member, our publishing partner E&M Consulting is in the process of producing our Northeast Public Power Association Directory of Consumer-Owned Electric Utilities in New England.
If you have any interest in advertising in the Directory, you can view the advertising options and sign-up online through https://www.reserveyourad.com/NEPPA/
Don't hesitate to call Ryan at 978-301-6361 if you have any questions. As always, your support of the Northeast Public Power Association is greatly appreciated.
Click here for rate sheet and form
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