Bulletin (Northwest Public Power Association) articles from October 2006

Bulletin (Northwest Public Power Association) archives from October 2006

A look back at public power.(Association News)
October 1, 2006... 50 Years Ago--1956 Snohomish PUD applied to the Federal Power Commission for a preliminary permit for a proposed 62,000 kilowatt development on the north fork of the Snoqualmie River, Hancock Creek, Galligan Creek, and Tolt River (Wash.)...

BPA allocation conference proves popular.(Association News)
October 1, 2006... At the request of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), NWPPA organized Preparing for BPA Allocation, a conference focused on presenting a comprehensive look at a diversified variety of power supply options for Northwest utilities....

The NIC, awards, and bears, Oh my!(Association News)
October 1, 2006... The 2006 NWPPA Northwest Innovations Conference (NIC), held September 17-20 in Whitefish, Mont., attracted more than 100 participants for three days of networking and education focused on communication, marketing, and new technology. Attendance...

Dozens of communicators come away winners at 2006 NIC.(Association News)
October 1, 2006... One of the NIC highlights comes on the last evening of the conference: the Excellence in Communication Awards ceremony. Now in its 13th year, the Excellence in Communication contest, the second-largest of its kind in the nation, recognizes the...

Electric utility best practices.(Association News)
October 1, 2006... Summary of White Papers, Part 1 of 2 As the PCB Voluntary Accelerated Removal (VAR) project between NWPPA and EPA Regions VIII, IX, and X comes to an end, we would like to acknowledge and recognize the following utilities that volunteered...

Certificate class highlight: Foreman Leadership Certificate Program.(Association News)
October 1, 2006... Who Should Attend--Working crew leaders and foremen should attend these classes. By completing each of the modules within this program, attendees will be able to master the skills needed for their positions and will have an excellent knowledge...

Financial implications of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in the Northwest.(Accounting & Finance)
October 1, 2006... Almost one year after the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) was signed into law by President Bush, we are finally starting to learn the impact this Act has, and will have, on the Northwest region. The EPAct was the first omnibus legislation...

Dealing with an employment lawsuit.(Legal Column)
October 1, 2006... Imagine this scenario. Your company has just received a threatening letter from an attorney representing one of your past, or perhaps current, employees. The employee is considering litigation. What do you do? Don't panic. The following is...

COSAs provide basis for equity between customer classes.(Power Supply & Risk Management)(Interview)
October 1, 2006... The following is an interview with Mary Wiedl, PNGC Power's senior engineering analyst, on the value of cost-of-service analysis (COSA) to utility cooperatives. PNGC Power provides member utilities with COSA as part of their member benefits....

Chugach directors earn certification.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Chugach Electric Association directors Jim Nordlund and Elizabeth Vazquez recently earned certification as directors of a cooperative utility board. The program requires utility directors to complete a 40-hour program of professional education....

GVEA board member honored with Lazelle Award.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Delta resident Dwight Nissen, a director on the Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) Board, received the Mason Lazelle Achievement Award from Alaska Power Association (APA) at its annual membership meeting on August 24 in Girdwood, Alaska....

PUD lowers overall rates by 4.65 percent.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Columbia River PUD's Board of Directors approved new rates for all customer classes at their recent Board meeting. These new rates resulted in an overall rate reduction of 4.65 percent and took effect October 1. "I am extremely pleased...

Alaska utilities recognized for safety records.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Thirteen Alaska utilities received recognition by Alaska Power Association (APA) for having excellent safety records in 2005. Six utilities received the Safety Awards for demonstrating the best safety records during 2005 in their respective...

Award recognizes Murkowski for power delivery efforts.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) received the David P. Hutchens Public Service Award by Alaska Power Association (APA) in recognition of her leadership on behalf of Alaska's electric consumers and their utilities. The trade association...

Grays Harbor PUD considers selling stake in little-used turbine.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... After building the $30-million single-cycle turbine in 2001 under a partnership with Franklin County PUD, Grays Harbor PUD is considering selling its 50 percent ownership of a rarely used gas turbine in Pasco, Wash., because it has been used...

Lewis PUD reduces rates by four percent.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Dave Muller, Lewis County PUD manager, announced that the Utility Commissioners have approved a retail customer rate reduction of approximately four percent; the rate reduction became effective on October 1, 2006. The rate reduction...

Kotzebue Electric named Small Company of the Year.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Kotzebue Electric Association was named the Small Company of the Year for 2006 by the Alaska Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. The member-owned electric cooperative is being honored for its...

SMUD extends deadline for renewable power offers.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... On August 22, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) released a request for offer (RFO) for purchase of renewable energy. The original due date for submittal of offers has now been extended to November 7 and a second pre-bid...

APA elects new Board Officers.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... In late August at its 55th annual membership meeting, the Alaska Power Association (APA), the statewide electric utility trade association, elected the following new board officers for two-year terms: * President: Brad Reeve, general...

Ellis promoted to general manager.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... On July 26, 2006, Okanogan County Electric Cooperative offered V. Ray Ellis its general manager position. "I feel very humbled by the opportunity to serve as the general manager," said Ellis after accepting the position. "The staff here at OCEC...

TID, MID exploring options at Don Pedro Reservoir.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... The Turlock Irrigation District (TID) and the Modesto Irrigation District (MID) plan to file a joint application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to obtain a license to construct a pumped storage hydroelectric plant at Don Pedro...

Naknek employee recognized for exceptional service.(Member News)
October 1, 2006... Members of Alaska Power Association (APA) recently recognized the contributions of Naknek Electric Association's Darrell Aspelund by awarding him the Hatcher-Williams-Turkington Employee Service Award for exemplary service to his electric...

Moloney Electric Inc.(Associate Members Profiles)
October 1, 2006... Moloney Electric, Inc. 120 Diamond Ave. Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3B2 Phone: (780) 962-4567 Fax: (780) 962-4566 www.moloney-electric.com lous26@moloney-electric.com Manufacturer of poletop and padmount distribution...

Shaw Energy Delivery Services, Inc.(Associate Members Profiles)
October 1, 2006... Shaw Energy Delivery Services, Inc. 13207 N.W. 42nd Ct. Vancouver, WA 98685 Phone: (360) 576-9038 Fax: (360) 576-4137 www.shawgrp.com/EDS/ george.culbertson@shawgrp.com Shaw Energy Delivery Services, Inc....

SPS adds Campbell as marketing manager.(Associate Members Profiles)
October 1, 2006... Electrical engineering firm System Protection Services announced that John Campbell has started with the company as a marketing manager. "John Campbell brings a high degree of personal integrity and a breadth of marketing, management, and...

Brooks UPG's Snap2[TM] Meter Socket earns UL listing.(Technology Marketplace)
October 1, 2006... Underwriters Laboratories Inc.[R] (UL) has tested and approved Brooks Utility Products Group's Snap2[TM] Pre-Wired Meter Socket. The tests were conducted to UL's 414 Standard. "The UL listing verifies the safety of, and customers'...

November elections: will energy policy be affected? On the eve of the elections, Capitol Hill is highly politically charged due to increasing predictions of a change in party control of one or both Houses of Congress. Going forward, what could such a shift in control mean for public power?(Washington D.C. Report)
October 1, 2006... Activity abounded this year in Congress on energy matters, as members attempted to demonstrate to constituents that they shared their pain over high gasoline and natural gas prices and, during the unusually hot summer, rising electricity...

Uncoiling the mystery of underground electrical cables.
October 1, 2006... Most customers don't think twice about the cables that supply their power. However, for those who make their living by ensuring these cables are properly working 24-7, there have been recent discussions about the testing of these cables and...