The Northern California Power Agency announced that Kevin Howard has joined NCPA's Legislative and Regulatory Affairs team as the agency’s Federal Power Resource Program Manager.
The NCPA Federal Power Resource Program Manager represents NCPA before the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the Western Area Power Administration, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Congress.
Howard will focus on issues related to the federal power resources provided by the Central Valley Project, WAPA transmission proposals, new reservoir and power plant proposals, and directives from the US Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Interior, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The CVP is a complex, multi-purpose network of dams, reservoirs, canals, hydroelectric powerplants and other facilities.
The CVP reduces flood risk for the Central Valley, supplies water to the valley, including major urban centers in the Greater Sacramento and San Francisco Bay areas, as well as producing power for the state of California. The CVP provides a carbon-free energy resource to NCPA member utilities.
Prior to joining NCPA, Howard was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the WAPA. He also served as the vice president of operations in WAPA’s Sierra Nevada Region for five years, where he was responsible for ensuring safe operation and the reliability of federal power infrastructure throughout the Region, including 1,500 miles of high voltage transmission lines, and 25 power substations.
Howard “is an experienced leader in power system operations, maintenance, engineering, and construction and has held multiple executive positions during his 37-year career. He brings a deep knowledge of the Federal Power Program and strong relationships across numerous federal agencies and stakeholder organizations,” NCPA said.
He has extensive experience serving on industry reliability committees and has many connections throughout the industry and within California’s public power community.
“The federal power resource is key to ensuring a reliable, stable, affordable, and clean energy supply for California,” said NCPA General Manager Randy Howard. “NCPA Members cover the full generation cost for their share of this critical power supply, and Kevin’s expertise in engaging with federal agencies and Congress to support the Central Valley Project will ensure it continues to provide tremendous value to electric customers.”
Headquartered in Roseville, California, NCPA is a California joint powers agency established in 1968 to construct and operate electric generation facilities and assist in meeting the wholesale energy supply needs of its 16 members.
