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Officers
- President
Lynn Short
VPI & SU
Electrical Engineer
601 Country Club Drive, SW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Vice President
Mike Moon
Director of Utilities
- City of Manassas
8500 Public Works Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
Executive Committee
- Mark Bly
Director of Power & Light
Town of Culpeper
400 S. Main Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
- A. K. Briele
Electrical Department, Director
City of Salem
PO Box 869
Salem VA 24153-0869
Brian O'Dell
Manager of Engineering
City of Harrisonburg
89 W. Bruce Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Member Localities
City of Bedford
Town of Blackstone
City of Bristol
Town of Culpeper
City of Danville
Town of ElktonCity of Franklin
Town of Front Royal
Harrisonburg Electric Commission
City of Manassas
City of Martinsville
City of RadfordTown of Richlands
City of Salem
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Town of Wakefield
From Virginia Town & City, Oct. 2010 -- PDF version
MEPAV continues advocating on energy issues
The Municipal Electric Power Association of Virginia continued to monitor the work of the Virginia Commission on Energy and the Environment over the past 12 months. The commission and its Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy subcommittees considered legislative proposals of interest to the 16 municipal electric utilities in the state, including a proposal to impose a mandatory renewable energy portfolio standard. The 2010 General Assembly ultimately did not enact any such proposal, which could have required municipal electric utilities to make costly investments in their systems.
The association and its legislative consultant, Thomas Dick, also closely monitored the work of the Electric Utility Regulation Commission as it reviewed proposals for the 2010 legislative session. The association worked closely with utility industry and environmental groups to make sure that any proposed legislation did not create problems for municipal electric utilities.
The General Assembly, however, did consider more than 80 significant energy and environmental-related measures, including legislation that passed ending interim rate increases for investor-owned electric utilities. Modifications to the state’s “Miss Utility” statute were enacted without subjecting municipal utilities to state-imposed fines or penalties.
MEPAV, a 56-year-old association, has 48 individual members who work for the 16 municipal electric utilities in the state. The membership also includes 16 honorary members and 30 companies with interest in the operation of municipal electric utilities.
Municipal electric utilities in Virginia have effectively served their customer-owners since the late 1800’s. MEPAV’s mission remains focused on meeting the needs of its members by providing information and support to those 16 localities that operate electric utilities. Fostering a spirit of cooperation and communication among Virginia’s municipal electric systems remains a high priority. Coordinating legislative efforts with municipalities and other utilities is critical to the success of the organization.
The municipal electric systems continue to be self-regulated by their local governments, providing them with the flexibility to address energy efficiency and conservation issues based on local needs.
The City of Salem was the site for the spring Engineering & Operations Workshop. Forty-four people representing 10 municipalities attended in addition to 14 vendors and associate members. Topics included: proper grounding practices; American Public Power Association operations; proposed changes to the National Electric Safety Code; dos and don’ts in molded rubber connections; and distribution automation applications. In addition, Manassas Deputy Director of Electric Utilities Gregg Paulson and Director of Power and Light for Danville Utilities Ken Ashworth provided updates on advanced metering infrastructure projects in their respective cities. The fall meeting will be held in Danville.
The MEPAV Annual Conference was held in Virginia Beach May 26-28. Attended by about 90 members and guests, and supported by 32 businesses, the event attracted utility members and vendors eager to learn and share information.
Topics discussed included: A summary of the state’s energy agenda by Maureen Matsen, deputy secretary for natural resources and senior adviser for energy in the Office of the Governor; an overview of issues involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Sue Kelly, vice president of policy analysis and general council for the American Public Power Association; and a review of Dominion Virginia Power’s recent demand-side management case by Howard Spinner, director of the Division of Economics and Finance for the Virginia State Corporation Commission. In addition, Danville’s Ashworth and Manassas’s Paulson delivered presentations on advanced metering infrastructure deployment in their respective cities.
The 2011 MEPAV conference will be held in Virginia Beach on May 25-27 at the Courtyard Marriott North, Oceanfront.
VML Legislative Associate Kimberly Pollard serves as the association’s executive secretary.
For membership information download these forms: Associated Membership Information, Associate Membership Form.
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