Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA)

???? Gobble, Gobble! NEPPA here, bringing the watts and the wits this Thanksgiving! ???? This year, we’re thankful for: ? Lineworkers who brave storms so you don’t have to eat cold turkey. ? Utility teams who make sure your pumpkin pie isn’t baked by candlelight. ? And our amazing members—because teamwork makes the gravy work! Remember, the only thing you should overload today is your plate—not your circuits. ??? From all of us at NEPPA: May your stuffing be fluffy, your gravy be smooth, and your Thanksgiving be shockingly good! ??? #PublicPower #Thanksgiving #GratefulAndCharged

?? In the News: Burlington Electric Department Takes Bold Steps Toward a Net Zero Future! This month, Burlington voters overwhelmingly approved a $20 million Net Zero Energy and Grid Reliability Revenue Bond, with nearly 80% in favor! ?? The bond supports key investments to strengthen Burlington Electric Department's commitment to a sustainable future: ? Boosting grid capacity to accommodate more EVs, heat pumps, and electric transit systems ? Enhancing grid reliability—BED's top customer priority ? Expanding EV infrastructure with 200 new charging ports, including 47 fast chargers ? Adding 12 new EVs to BED’s fleet, including another all-electric bucket truck ? Furthering renewable energy generation, including the relicensing of the Winooski One Hydroelectric Facility These efforts will power Burlington toward a cleaner, more innovative future while maintaining the reliability customers count on. Read more about this impactful decision in the full article by the American Public Power Association: https://ow.ly/ZLor50UfVf1 #PublicPower #NetZero #EnergyInnovation #Sustainability #EVCharging #BurlingtonElectric

???? #MunicipalMondays Spotlight: Westfield Gas + Electric/Whip City Fiber (WG+E)! ?? This #MunicipalMonday, we’re lighting things up with Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber and their electrifying celebration of STEM Week 2024! On October 24th, WG+E welcomed 50 middle school computer science students from Westfield Middle School for a full day of hands-on learning at their Operations Center. Among the highlights? A shocking demonstration where employees fried a pickle using electricity—showing just how creative and fun STEM can be! Students also explored real-world tech applications in municipal utilities, from fiber splicing demonstrations to ethical hacking exercises and electric/gas safety practices. This collaboration with the Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) brought STEM to life, and WG+E went the extra mile by covering transportation and lunch for the students. ?? A huge thanks to WG+E for sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation. As General Manager Tom Flaherty, Sr., shares: “Our employees enjoy their visits, and the students get a sense of how what they learn in their classes applies in the ‘real world.’” ?? Want to share your municipal utility’s electrifying stories? Submit your achievements to [email protected] to be featured in #MunicipalMondays! #PublicPower #STEMWeek #WestfieldMA #WhipCityFiber #CommunityEngagement #EducationInnovation #PicklePower

????? Wrapping Up National Apprentice Week! ??? As we close out National Apprentice Week, we’re celebrating apprentices everywhere who are working hard to build their skills and make an impact in their communities. ??? This week, we also had the chance to highlight our incredible Year 3 students (pictured here), who just wrapped up their final week of the year! Their dedication and progress represent the bright future of our industry and the importance of apprenticeships in developing skilled professionals. ?? ?? Thank you to all apprentices, mentors, and trainers who power this journey. Your hard work and commitment to growth inspire us all! Here’s to building brighter tomorrows, one apprentice at a time. ??? #NationalApprenticeWeek #BuildingTheFuture #PublicPowerProud #ApprenticeJourney #CareersThatMatter

Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) is proud to mention that, through the New England Public Power Association’s mutual aid system, we had two Lineworkers head down to the Laurens Electric Cooperative in South Carolina to help restore power to those affected by Hurricane Helene. That state saw 1.3 million customers lose power and suffered at least 36 deaths in the aftermath of the hurricane. Some customers did not see power restored for several days or even weeks. ? Rich Fedele and Matt McNamara left on Wednesday, October 2, and worked setting poles and restoring service mostly in the right-of-way. One impacted family, who had been without power for a week, took time to write to CMLP to offer their thanks for everyone involved in the organization and to say they “are forever grateful” for Rich and Matt’s role in restoring power in Enoree, South Carolina. Rich and Matt arrived home 10 days later on Saturday, October 12. ? This mutual aid trip was also made possible by the staff who stepped up to fill in during Rich and Matt’s absence, with some altering schedules and assisting in a different capacity. A big thank you goes to the other Lineworkers, Matt McDonough, Bailey Dionne, and Tim Fallon, as well as Line Supervisor Mike Hoogendoorn. ? CMLP is proud to be able to send resources to help other communities in need and be a part of the important mutual aid system.?

?? Celebrating Our Trainers During National Apprenticeship Week! ?? This National Apprenticeship Week, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible trainers at Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA). These dedicated mentors are the foundation of our apprentice lineworker program, equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and safety expertise needed to keep our communities powered. ??? Thank you to our trainers for your unwavering commitment to building the future of public power. Your leadership and dedication inspire us all! ????♂???♀? . . . . . . . . . . #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #PublicPower #Apprenticeship #Lineworkers #TrainingTheFuture #NEPublicPower #WorkforceDevelopment #LineworkerLife #PoweringCommunities #LinemanStrong #GridGuardians #ApprenticeshipMatters #FutureLineworkers #SkilledTrades #SafetyFirstAlways #UtilityHeroes #ElectricUtilityWorkers

? The countdown is ON! Only 2 weeks left until NEPPA’s Annual Membership Meeting & Apprentice Lineworker Graduation! ?? Join us on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leominster, MA for a day of celebration and collaboration. We’ll reflect on NEPPA’s progress, discuss exciting plans for 2025, and honor the hard work of our 2024 Apprentice Lineworker graduates as they take the next step in their public power careers. ?? Don’t miss out—RSVP now at neppa.org to reserve your spot for this members-only event! We look forward to seeing you there! . . . . . . . . . . . #PublicPower #NEPublicPower #ApprenticeGraduation #IndustryEvent #ProfessionalGrowth #PoweringCommunities #FutureOfEnergy #WorkforceDevelopment #LeadershipInAction #UtilityIndustry #EnergyProfessionals #PublicPowerProud #CelebratingSuccess

?? Year 3 Apprentice Lineworkers: Wrapping Up 2024 in Style! It’s the final week of classes for our Year 3 Apprentice Lineworker class—and what a year it’s been! ???? They’ve been climbing poles, pulling lines, and maybe dodging a squirrel or two. ??? (We hear the squirrels are forming a union. ??) They’ve worked hard all year, honing their skills and preparing for the challenges of the field. Next year, they’ll return for their fourth and final year of the program, taking one step closer to becoming fully trained lineworkers. ?? Watch the video of them in action and give them a shoutout for their dedication. Here’s to the future lineworkers who keep the lights on—even for the squirrels! ??? . . . . . . . . . . #PublicPower #LineworkerTraining #NEPublicPower #Apprenticeship #FutureLineworkers #SquirrelsOfPublicPower #LineLife #UtilityStrong #LinemanLife #ILiveForTheLine #LinemanPride #KeepTheLightsOn #PoleClimbers #GridGuardians #PowerOn #HighVoltageHeroes

?? It’s National Apprenticeship Week! ?? This week is all about celebrating the power of apprenticeships to build careers, strengthen communities, and support the future of skilled trades. At Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA), we’re proud to be a part of that mission through our Apprentice Lineworker Program, where we help shape the next generation of utility professionals. ???♂???♀? Apprenticeships combine hands-on training with classroom education, creating pathways for individuals to earn while they learn. Our program not only develops essential skills but also instills a deep commitment to safety, reliability, and teamwork. ?? Did you know? Since its inception, our program has graduated hundreds of lineworkers who now play a vital role in keeping the lights on across New England. ?? This week, we tip our hard hats ???? to all apprentices, mentors, and educators working together to ensure a brighter future for public power. ?? Share your apprenticeship success stories below, and help us celebrate! #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #PublicPower #LineworkerPride #NEPublicPower #PoweringTheFuture

?? Registration Opening Soon: Customer Service 101 Training! ?? Get ready! Registration for NEPPA’s Customer Service 101: Basics of Electric Operations & Customer De-Escalation course will be opening soon! Save the Date: ?? Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025 ? Time: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM ?? Location: NEPPA Training Center, 200 New Estate Road, Littleton, MA This essential one-day training is designed for customer service reps who want to: ?? Gain a deeper understanding of Electric Distribution ?? Learn key De-Escalation Techniques to improve customer interactions ?? Build a customer service strategy that creates lasting value for your utility Stay tuned for registration details and don’t miss out on this unique learning opportunity! For more info, visit neppa.org #ComingSoon #NEPublicPower #CustomerService #ElectricOperations #DeEscalation #PublicPower #UtilityTraining #SaveTheDate