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Officers
- President
Mike Moon
Director of Utilities
City of Manassas
8500 Public Works Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
- Vice President
Carlton Fuqua
Electric Distribution Superintendent
City of Danville
1040 Monument Street
Danville, VA 24541
Executive Committee
- Lynn Short
VPI & SU
Electrical Engineer
601 Country Club Drive, SW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Mark Bly
Director of Power & Light
Town of Franklin
1050 Pretlow St.
Franklin, VA 23851
A. K. Briele III
Electrical Department, Director
City of Salem
PO Box 869
Salem VA 24153-0869
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. 2011 -- PDF version
MEPAV kept busy as renewable energy issues surface in legislature
The General Assembly considered more than 70 significant energy and environmental-related measures of interest to the Municipal Electric Power Association of Virginia and its members in 2011. In addition, the association and its legislative consultant, Thomas Dick, followed the work of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, which monitors the State Corporation Commission’s implementation of the Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act and considers potential legislative issues. MEPAV works closely throughout the year with the utility industry and environmental groups to make certain that the interests of municipal electric utilities are protected when legislation or regulations are proposed.
Among the bills that did not pass the General Assembly in 2011 was one affecting the regulation of electric utilities. Some minor changes concerning the rates of the state’s private utilities, however, were approved. Legislation allowing the Virginia Resources Authority to finance renewable energy projects was approved, as was legislation making it easier to establish electric vehicle charging stations. A bill that would have created a mandatory and costly renewable energy portfolio standard was rejected by the legislature. Also defeated was legislation that would have required regulation of home energy auditors. A proposal requiring costly and unnecessary notices of adverse judgments against utilities failed as well.
Green energy was not only a topic during the 2011 General Assembly, but it also was on the program at the MEPAV Annual Conference held in Virginia Beach in May. Other presentations at the conference: Alleyn Harned, program coordinator for the Virginia Clean Cities Coalition, spoke on electric vehicles and charging stations and how technology can benefit municipalities and utilities; Bill Murray, managing director for corporate public policy at Dominion Resources, spoke about the company’s ongoing projects in Virginia; Joe Nipper, senior vice president of government relations for the American Public Power Association (APPA), provided an update on federal regulations and legislation; and Patrick Hatcher, executive director of the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, spoke about its research activities, which includes commercialization and implementation of renewable energy by using algal biomass, wind and wave resources.
Members and vendors also met at a spring Engineering & Operations Workshop held in Danville. The program included a VDOT presentation on the agency’s pilot program for using GPS technologies to locate underground utilities; installation and product demonstrations for wire pulling and climbing gear; and technologies and applications for cable installations. Mike Hyland, vice president of engineering services for APPA, provided an update on proposed changes to the National Electrical Safety Code; and Karl Mason, who works for the City of Salem, explained how the municipality is making use of GPS applications.
The spring membership meeting was held in Blacksburg in March. Topics discussed included power transformer servicing and maintenance, work zone safety, OSHA and NESC code updates, faulted circuit indicator technologies, and developing an infrared inspection program.
In its 57th year, MEPAV has 47 individual members who work for the 16 municipal electric utilities in the state. The membership also includes 16 honorary members and 32 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. 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.
VML’s Kimberly Pollard serves as secretary of MEPAV.
For membership information download these forms: Associated Membership Information, Associate Membership Form.
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