What's
New
Energy
Association Names Terry Fitzpatrick
New President & CEO
Jan 1,
2010 ... The
Energy Association of Pennsylvania (EAP) has named
Terrance “Terry” Fitzpatrick, its new president
and chief executive officer.
In this role, Fitzpatrick will be responsible
for representing the interests of
Pennsylvania
’s PUC-regulated electric and natural gas
distribution companies.
Fitzpatrick
comes to EAP from the Electric Power Generation
Association (EPGA), where he served as General
Counsel.
Prior to his work at EPGA, Fitzpatrick served
for eight years on the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission (PA PUC), where he held the position of
Chairman from 2003-2004.
Fitzpatrick’s career in
Harrisburg
spans close to three decades and includes public and
private sector experience in the areas of energy,
public utility and environmental regulation.
“This
is an important time within the energy industry,”
said Carl Carlotti, senior vice president of National
Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation and President of the
EAP’s Board of Directors.
“Terry’s understanding of the industry,
experience with the political and regulatory
environments in
Harrisburg
, and proven leadership make him an asset to EAP and
natural fit for this position.”
Fitzpatrick
served as Counsel to the Pennsylvania Senate’s
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee from 1995
to 1997.
As a committee staff member, he participated in
negotiating and drafting
Pennsylvania
’s electricity competition law.
Fitzpatrick
said, “Having been involved in energy and utility
issues for many years, I look forward to using my
experience and abilities to meet the tough challenges
facing the industry.”
The
selection of the president and chief executive officer
was made by the EAP Board of Directors, based on the
recommendation of a selection committee that included
five members of the Board.
Fitzpatrick will assume his new role at EAP on
January 1, 2010
.
He replaces the current President and CEO,
J.
Michael Love
, who announced his retirement this fall.
EAPA
Exhibit Cautions Public on Working Near
Electric or Gas Lines at PA One Call Safety Event
June
8, 2009 ... The Energy Association of Pennsylvania is
participating in the Pennsylvania One Call System’s PA Safety Day
on June 18 at the Harrisburg Area Community
College, Shumaker Public Safety Center (Gate entrance
#5), Industrial Drive, in Harrisburg.
EAPA's
Debra Kitner at the EAPA Display in Kimberton
With
the onset of warm weather and Pennsylvanians taking on
those outdoor projects, the EAPA’s display will
focus on the precautions that should be taken when
operating near utility facilities.
What to do before beginning any digging or
excavation project, as well as the importance of
making sure there is adequate space from overhead
power lines – information on OSHA’s “
Ten Foot Circle
of Safety” - will be featured.
EAPA,
on behalf of its statewide electric and natural gas
member companies, will be featuring a safety display
at this event. Safety
is of paramount importance to the Energy Association
and its member companies.
“
Pennsylvania
’s energy utilities want to educate the public on
what they can do to be more safe.
Before you begin to dig anywhere, you should
check with PA One Call by calling
8-1-1
, otherwise you are making a potentially life and
death decision,” says J.
Michael Love
, EAPA's President and CEO.
“We
congratulate our members for their continuing
commitment to improve safety for their customers and
in the workplace.
For well over a decade, the Association and our
predecessor organizations have been recognizing
companies for their efforts in safety through the
EAPA’s annual Safety Award program.”
-
Please
CLICK
HERE for information on the EAPA's
Safety Award program along with this year's
winners.
-
CLICK
HERE to view PA
One Call's 2009 "Safety Day" event
calendar along with dates, locations, and
registration information.
2009
Safety Award Winners Announced!
April
30, 2009 … Safety is of paramount importance to the
Energy Association and its member companies.
EAPA and members of the Association's Accident
Prevention Commission wish to congratulate this year's
safety award winners!
CLICK
HERE to view this year's winners!
EAPA
's President & CEO Explains Critical Need for
Replacement of Deteriorating Natural Gas Pipeline
April
23, 2009 … EAPA President & CEO J.
Michael Love
, addressed Representative Joseph Preston and Members
of the House Consumer Affairs Committee at its public
hearing, today, on Distribution System Improvement
Charge (DSIC). Mr.
Love’s testimony featured a short video, produced by
the Pennsylvania Gas Association entitled, “Life
Beneath Our Streets”.
“Life
Beneath Our Streets”
examines Pennsylvania's
aging natural gas distribution system and focuses
on the more than 13,000 miles of deteriorating pipe in
the Commonwealth that is in need of replacement to
insure safe and reliable flow of natural gas to homes
and businesses. The
short documentary also features a work-in-progress
pipe replacement project currently underway in York,
PA by Columbia Gas of PA and features several state
political and business leaders who explain the
importance of safety and reliability as well as the
benefits of economic stimulus created by the pipe
replacement project.
CLICK
HERE to view the video
For
a free Quicktime download, click
here
EAPA Promotes
Consumer Conservation and Energy Efficiency Education
Through Sponsorship of Local Events
February
& March 2009 .. The Energy
Association of Pennsylvania (EAPA) co-sponsored two
recent events in the Central-PA area, hosted by local
television station ABC/WHTM-27.
EAPA’s staff participated in the local
Harrisburg-area events to bring a greater awareness to
available energy assistance programs, educate
residents on weatherization and conservation &
energy efficiency.
Both
events were free and open to the public and featured
conservation and energy saving tips, materials and
resources to assist local residents in locating
information on energy assistance and weatherization
programs available through state agencies and local
electric and natural gas company programs.
Energy coloring books, computer games, night
lights, stickers and other trinkets for all ages were
distributed and were big crowd pleasers. EAPA staff
assisted visitors in identifying energy saving
measures for the entire family and displayed
show-and-tell examples of consumer products for
reducing energy use around the
home. Each event featured an “energy gift
basket" raffle as part of the fun.
FAMILY
FUN FAIR
February 7, 2009
Harrisburg Mall,
Harrisburg, PA
Geared
towards families and fun, this event provided a venue
for family members of all ages to
pick-up energy-related information, brochures and
assorted trinkets that promoted and explained more
about conservation and the local electric and natural
gas utility programs available to consumers.
Information was also available on energy
assistance programs and energy saving measures for the
entire family. Giveaways
were plentiful for all ages.
(Top) EAPA's Linda Ballew stands next to the Energy
Association display booth at the February 7th Family
Fun Fair.
(Below)
Columbia Gas' Larry Nowicki talks to a patron at the
Family Fun Fair.
ENERGY
FAIR
March 28, 2009
YWCA, Harrisburg, PA
This
event, co-sponsored with the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission,
provided
local residents with the opportunity to ask questions
of EAPA or PUC representatives one-on-one.
Free materials and brochures were available on
various resources for energy assistance, gas safety,
conservation and efficiency tips, rebate programs and
the stimulus packages … and attendees could “touch
and see” examples of various low-cost products and
measures for use around the home to reduce energy
usage and ultimately trim
energy bills.
EAPA's President
& CEO presents the "energy gift basket"
to Energy Fair winner Henrietta Dowen, of Harrisburg.
EAPA President
& CEO J. Michael Love Addresses House Consumer
Affairs Committee
February, 2009 ....
The
House Consumer Affairs Committee recently held two
informational meetings to hear issues of concern from
both the electric and natural gas industries in
Pennsylvania. EAPA President & CEO Michael
Love covered primary issues of concern to the EAPA
members, by representing the EDCs on February 5 and
the NGDCs on February 25.
CLICK
HERE for
a copy of Mr. Love's presentation to the Committee on
Feb 5, 2009 (Electric Industry)
CLICK
HERE for
a copy of Mr. Love's presentation to the Commission on
Feb 25, 2009 (Natural Gas Industry)
EAPA
President & CEO Participates as Energy Expert in
2009 "Energy Symposium"
January
29, 2009 ... The Central Penn Business Journal last
week held its first-annual Energy Symposium,
where industry experts passed on advice about dealing
with the expiration of the rate caps now keeping
electricity prices low.
CLICK
HERE to view the program agenda.
EAPA
Joins with Community Action Association of PA
to Call for Dedicated, Permanent & Predictable
Energy Assistance Funding for Low-Income
Pennsylvanians!
January
15, 2009 .... Community activists and advocates for
utilities gathered at Harrisburg's State Capitol
yesterday to push for permanent and predictable energy
assistance for Pennsylvania's poor. In addition,
the coalition released a study entitled "The
Human Impact: How rising heating and cooling costs are
affecting low-income Pennsylvanians"
The
report, which can be read online or downloaded by CLICKING
HERE focuses on the need for eligibility
requirements that are consistent from year to year,
and for a year-round program – available in 23
states – to also assist with cooling costs.
EAPA President & CEO J. Michael Love cautioned
that even with the record LIHEAP funding that PA
received from the federal government for this year's
program ... "This funding is great, but not
enough. We have not kept on track with general
inflation or with rising energy costs.”
A
video of the January 14 press conference
and additional information are available
by clicking
here.
PA
Gas Association Announces Campaign and Website
Launching "Pennsylvanians for Renewed Natural
Gas Infrastructure"
June
2, 2008 ....The Pennsylvania Gas Association today
launched a public and legislative informational
campaign focused on infrastructure replacement for the
natural gas industry.
The campaign will draw attention to and seek
solutions for the states’ aging natural gas
infrastructure, a concern to many in the
Commonwealth.
“For
too long now, this issue has been ‘out of sight and
out of mind’,” says J.
Michael Love
, president, Pennsylvania Gas Association. “Aging
gas pipelines have served us well, but we need to
ensure that the gas infrastructure going forward
remains safe and reliable.
In addition, as the costs of the natural gas
commodity increases for our member companies, we want
to make sure the delivery to homes and businesses is
as efficient as possible protecting both investments
and the environment.”
CLICK
HERE to read Press Release in its
entirety and access additional information.
CLICK
HERE to visit the new website and
learn more about "Pennsylvanians for Renewed
Natural Gas Infrastructure".
EAPA
President Congratulates this Year's Safety Award
Winners on a Job Well Done!
May
5, 2008 ... "It is with great pleasure that
I announce this year's Job Safety Award winners",
announced EAPA President & CEO J. Michael
Love. "Many thanks to the members of
the EAPA Accident Prevention Committee for all of your
work on this project." Safety is of paramount importance to the Energy
Association of Pennsylvania (EAPA) and its
member companies and the Association congratulates
this year's Safety Award
Winners.
CLICK
HERE for details on individual
award winners and photos as they
become available.
EAPA
President & CEO Encourages General Assembly
to Continue Support of Competitive Energy Market -
Avoid Extending Rate Caps
Feb.
12, 2008 ... Allowing
competition to evolve in PA is vital to all electric
customers. Extending rate caps will only delay
dealing with the realities of a global electric
market, force utilities to buy power at prices much
higher than the prices at which they are allowed to
resell it to their customers, and ultimately, not
protect the PA consumer from higher rates.
CLICK
HERE
to access press release in its entirety.
CLICK
HERE to read complete
statement by Susan Tierney, Ph.D., Analysis Group
(former state & federal regulator) -- "Why
Extending Electricity Rate Caps Ultimately Would Not
Protect Consumers from Rising Electricity Prices"
Independent
Report Calls for Pennsylvania to Support Competitive
Electric Market
"Good
policy now will avoid repeat of California's
"ill-fated" electricity crisis
Jan.
29, 2008 ... An
independent study of the future of the
Pennsylvania
energy market concludes that state lawmakers should
continue to support a competitive market, and refrain
from extending rate freezes. The study,
conducted by Dr. Susan F. Tierney, an expert on energy
policy at the Analysis Group, a firm of energy and
economic consultants based in Boston, said that while
higher energy prices are going to be the “new
normal” in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, state
regulatory policies that promote the continued
development of a competitive energy market, coupled
with consumer education and a well-designed wholesale
power market will keep prices as low as possible in
Pennsylvania.
“This
study, by one of the leading experts in the field,
concludes that maintaining competitive markets and
implementing orderly transition plans is the best
course for Pennsylvania to keep energy costs
manageable and to keep Pennsylvania businesses
competitive,” said Mike Love, president of the
Energy Association of Pennsylvania.
“Allowing
rate freezes to expire as the original legislation
intended will likely spur further competition,” Love
said, “thereby helping to offset energy cost
increases while at the same time encouraging
investment in infrastructure, and the offering of new
services. This study further reinforces the argument
that
Pennsylvania
one of the few states to get it right from the
beginning.”
CLICK
HERE to read full Press Release
CLICK
HERE to view full Report
entitled
"Pennsylvania's Electric Power Future: Trends
and Guiding Principles"
____________________________
$AVE
ENERGY ... $AVE MONEY ... CONSERVE!
EAPA
Conservation Tips
(Click Here)
_________________________________
EAPA
Salutes Customers, Response Teams and Regional Media
for Exceptional Efforts During Recent Severe Ice
Storm (CLICK
HERE)
_________________________________
EAPA
Releases Talking Points Report Showing "Chapter 14" is
working!
November
2007 ... The Energy Association of
Pennsylvania assembled the following "talking
points" touting the benefits of "Chapter
14" (the Responsible Utility Customer Protection
Act) and showing that despite some negative claims,
Chapter 14 has been and continues to be a success
story. CLICK
HERE for a copy of the report, "Chapter
14 Success Story - Talking Points". (pdf
format)
_________________________________
2007
Safety Award winners Announced!
May
16, 2007 ... Safety is of paramount importance to the Energy
Association of Pennsylvania (EAPA) and its
member companies. The EAPA and members of its
Accident Prevention Committee are pleased to announce,
and congratulate, the 2007 Safety Award
Winners. CLICK
HERE for details and photos as they
become available.
_________________________________
A
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO IMPROVING UTILITY AND TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE IN
PENNSYLVANIA
April
4, 2007 ... A report authored by Commissioner
Terrance J. Fitzpatrick, of PA's
Public Utility Commission calls attention to "infrastructure problems"
and suggests "a different
approach to addressing them – an approach that
focuses on infrastructure as a comprehensive topic
that transcends the various industries, instead of
considering it in a piecemeal fashion as one component
of transportation issues, one component of drinking
water issues, one component of electricity issues,
etc."
"Despite
the obvious importance of maintaining and improving
our utility and transportation infrastructure, in many
instances we have allowed it to deteriorate. This is
true both in the
United States
generally, and in
Pennsylvania
specifically."
CLICK
HERE for a copy of Commissioner
Fitzpatrick's complete report.
_______________________________
Major
PA Consumers tell Governor Rendell they support
Competitive Electricity Markets
"The
electricity customers who have signed this letter
strongly support the development of competitive
electricity markets and encourage the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania to maintain its commitment to policies
which allow for the continued evolution and
implementation of such markets, especially the
Commonwealth's competitive retail market."
The January 2007 letter to Governor Rendell
represents 4,411 facilities and over $120 million in
annual electricity costs as consumers of electricity
in Pennsylvania.
January
19, 2007 Letter from PA Electricity Customers to
Governor Ed Rendell
Electric
Power Supply Association Summary
________________________________
Latest
issue of "Natural Gas Winter
Operations Update" for the 2006-07 Winter
Heating Season is released
January
16,
2007 ...
The Energy Association of Pennsylvania today released
its latest issue of the "Natural Gas Winter
Operations Update" for the 2006-07
winter heating season. This publication,
distributed twice each month from November to March,
reports on EAPA members' projections for gas demand
and supply sources, and, provides additional useful
and timely information. CLICK
HERE to read the latest publication or
access archived editions.
________________________________________
EAPA
Pres & CEO partners with PA Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
July
2006 ... On a recent segment of Pennsylvania
Newsmakers, J. Michael Love,
President and CEO of the Energy Association of Pa. and
Susan Kelly-Dreiss, Executive Director of the
Pa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, discuss
domestic violence in the workplace with Pennsylvania
Newsmakers host,
Terry Madonna
. Click here for streaming audio and video of
the program: http://www.newsmakerstv.com/archive.php?id=223
Pennsylvania
Companies Seriously Preparing for Flu Pandemic Without
Waiting for Government
The
Morning Call (By Ann Wlazelek) ...June
5,
2006 ... "Prepping for flu pandemic: Groups won't
wait for feds. Government likely to be swamped
say locals as they brace for worst." CLICK
HERE
for news article (pdf file) which include details of a
June 20 informational meeting scheduled for
small businesses at Lehigh Carbon Community College.
