ECA s Legislative Meet & Greet Highlights

Transcription

1 Volume XII, Issue 2 February 2012 ECA s Legislative Meet & Greet Highlights Electric Cities of Alabama (ECA) held its 13th annual Legislative Briefing and Meet and Greet Reception at the RSA Plaza Terrace on February 28, 2012, in Montgomery, Alabama. ECA members gathered earlier in the day where Rep. Terri Collins (RDecatur) presented resolutions to ECA member cities that assisted with the April 27, 2011, tornado recovery. This presentation was followed by a legislative briefing given by ECA Executive Director Jon Hand and ECA s legal counsel Wendell Cauley. Following the Board of Directors Meeting and Legislative Briefing, members made their way to the Legislative Meet and Greet Reception. This year s event was sponsored by the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible! Representative Greg Burdine and Senator Roger Bedford at ECA s Legislative Meet & Greet. IN THIS ISSUE ECA s Legislative Meet & Greet Highlights...1 ECA Honored By Rep. Collins...2 Happenings on Goat Hill...3 Riviera Utilities David Horton (left) and Tom DeBell (right) with Representative Joe Foust. ECA Trivia Grid...3 John Boehner May Scale Back Highway, Energy Bill...4 In Memory...4 Training Opportunities...5 Calendar of Events...6 Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller (second left) with Rep. Paul Lee, Lori Huguley (Opelika), Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senator Tom Whatley.

2 ECA Honored By Rep. Collins Representative Terri Collins (R-Decatur) presented resolutions commending ECA member cities that assisted with the April 27, 2011, tornado recovery. Rep. Collins presented these resolutions at the beginning of the Board of Directors Meeting held Tuesday, February 28, at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery, Alabama. Elden Chumley, Albertville Scott Sligh, Fairhope Mike Dugger, Foley Ray Hardin, Decatur Billy Mayes, Dothan Ferrell Vest, Hartselle Rickey Thomas, Muscle Shoals Bob Williams, Opelika Jimmy Sandlin, Scottsboro Allen Hughes, Sheffield Craig Grissom, Russellville David Thornton, Tuscumbia Mark Ennis, Tuskegee The Monthly Information Source of the Electric Cities of Alabama Page 2

3 The 2012 Regular Session convened on February 7, 2012, and Alabama State Lawmakers wasted no time introducing hundreds of bills during the first few weeks of the Legislative Session. Lawmakers made it clear they are concentrating this year s efforts on boosting private sector job growth, improving public schools through education reform and increasing the state government s efficiency in use of taxpayer dollars Alabama s Proposed Legislative Calendar March Spring Break May Requested Special Session Happenings On Goat Hill These are just a few of the highlighted actions that have taken place on Goat Hill so far: February 7 - Governor Robert Bentley s State of the State address, focuses on job creation, state finances, education reform and balancing the budget. February 15 - Senate Bill 35 (S.B. 35), also known as the Secondary Metals Recycler Bill is considered before the Senate Judiciary Committee. A substitute is introduced placing new language in S.B. 35 to include electric power suppliers as an entity protected by a person with intent to damage property. The substitute passes the Senate Judiciary Committee. Its counterpart, House Bill 278, also passes the House Judiciary Committee. ECA Trivia Grid February 21 - House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security considered House Bill 2, which bans sending or reading text messages while driving. February 22 - The House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure passes House Bill 93 (H.B.93), commonly known as One Call legislation. H.B. 93 requires those digging or excavating to contact the Alabama One Call Notification System or the utility in-house notification system, in an effort to spot hidden underground utilities. February 23 - House Bill 76 (H.B. 76), the Alabama Move Over Act, passes the House. H.B. 76 is amended to require motorists to move over and yield to utility service vehicles when emergency lights are activated. February 28 - H.B. 76 is assigned to Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and awaits Senate floor action. February 28 - Gov. Bentley outlines new legislation that provides an annual tax holiday covering items related to severe weather preparedness. In 1820, Oersted observed the effects of electricity on a compass, and Ampere passed current through a coil of wire. What natural force did these scientists tie to electricity through their discoveries? Be the first to the correct answer to Andrea Salvador at asalvador@electriccities.org and win a $25.00 gift card. Good Luck! Last month s winner was Mike Smith with Muscle Shoals. Mike answered that positive and negative are the two forms of electricity that used to be known as resinous and vitreous. Congratulations Mike! The Monthly Information Source of the Electric Cities of Alabama Page 3

4 John Boehner May Scale Back Highway, Energy Bill Picture by: Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call By John Stanton Roll Call Staff Feb. 23, 2012 Facing increasing opposition from within his own party, Speaker John Boehner may scrap his ambitious five-year highway and energy package in favor of a shorter and more palatable measure. A spokesman for the Ohio Republican acknowledged today that changes were being considered and sought to lay the blame on Senate Democrats. Given Senate Democrats unwillingness to pursue a longerterm infrastructure and energy plan, House Republican leaders are considering a revamped approach, Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. But Republicans privately acknowledged the problems with the bill lie not only in the House, where the transportation portion was expected to fail, but also within Boehner s own conference. According to a GOP aide, Boehner is considering shortening the bill to two years and scrapping a plan to separate transit and highway funding, a plan that led to a moderate revolt within his conference. The retooled bill could also include new cuts to spending as a potential fig leaf to conservatives within the party. The turmoil is the latest in a series of embarrassing unforced errors for Boehner on the transportation bill. Although the bill was intended to be his signature legislative policy proposal, Boehner has struggled to pull together enough GOP votes to pass it. He was first forced to break the comprehensive package into separate energy, funding and transportation bills last week. But as opposition to the transportation portion continued to build, he was then forced to delay a vote on it until next week. Although it is unclear what effect the latest tinkering will have on the schedule, it appears likely the bill could be delayed for at least another week while changes are made. Source: Roll Call Robert D. Thorington In Memory Electric Cities of Alabama (ECA) is saddened to report the passing of friend and colleague, Robert Thorington who passed away on February 3, At the time of his death, he was a partner in the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. Dedicated to his family, country, clients, community, and profession, Thorington was a role model for many. Thorington is known well among ECA members as a tireless advocate of public power and assisted in establishing this association. We all were saddened to learn of Bob s passing, ECA Executive Director Jon Hand said. He always had a kind word to share and was a true friend to not only me and my family, but to our entire association. The Monthly Information Source of the Electric Cities of Alabama Page 4

5 Training Opportunities Irby Safety Expo Please join Irby, and our supporting vendors, as we sponsor an informative Safety Seminar focusing on the safety issues that utility lineman face every day. Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Location: Irby Pensacola - Upstairs Conference Room (5208 Sycamore Drive, Pensacola, FL) For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Zac Smith at or zsmith@irby.com Seminar Agenda for Wednesday, March 14, :00 am - 9:15 am Registration - Introductions 9:15 am - 10:45 am Safety Overview with Roger Hartley Upstairs Conference Room - Irby Pensacola 9:15-9:45 Personal Protective Equipment 9:45-10:15 Grounding 10:15-10:45 Lock Out Tag Out 10:45 am - 11:15 am Demonstration: Bucket Rescue Procedures Irby Pensacola Utility Training Yard 11:15 am - 12:30 pm Lunch and Product Demonstrations (lunch provided) 12:30pm to 3:30pm Grounding Break into Groups: Station A Proper Safety Procedures for Overhead Grounding Station B Proper Safety Procedures for Underground Station C Pole Climbing Safety 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm Closing Remarks Have a training opportunity you would like to advertise in Electric Cities Connected? Contact Andrea Salvador for more details today! The Monthly Information Source of the Electric Cities of Alabama Page 5

6 THE INFORMATION SOURCE OF THE ELECTRIC CITIES OF ALABAMA P.O. Box 1550 Montgomery, AL South Perry St., Suite 200 Montgomery, AL Phone: Fax: Calendar of Events March 20-22, 2012 Washington Legislative Rally The Mayflower Hotel Washington, DC July 8, 2012 Annual Business Meeting (Board of Directors) Perdido Beach Resort Orange Beach, AL July 8-10, 2012 Annual Meeting and Governmental Affairs Conference Perdido Beach Resort Orange Beach, AL October 22-24, 2012 Engineering & Operations Conference Renaissance Ross Bridge Hoover, AL THE ELECTRIC CITIES OF ALABAMA IS A COALITION OF THE STATE S MUNICIPALLY OWNED AND OPERATED ELECTRIC SYSTEMS. ALABAMA S ELECTRIC CITIES SERVE APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION CONSUMERS IN 36 CITIES THROUGHOUT ALABAMA. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JONATHAN HAND JHAND@ELECTRICCITIES.ORG COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING ASSISTANT: ANDREA SALVADOR ASALVADOR@ELECTRICCITIES.ORG Washington D.C. Legislative Rally March 20-22, 2012 The Mayflower Hotel Washington, D.C. The Monthly Information Source of the Electric Cities of Alabama Page 6