Tom Lyons

Background

About Tom Lyons

I've worked in the Electric Utility industry for 40+ years: 15-years at Florida Power and Light (FPL), 7-years at the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), and 21-years at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). I retired from the SMUD on Memorial Day, 2020. From 2005 through 2022, I was also a Lecturer at Sac State, teaching various Electrical Engineering classes (Distribution Engineering, Renewable Resources, Intro to Engineering, and Senior Design Project). I retired from Sac State in the Fall of 2022. At SMUD, my last assignment was as Principal Engineer, Electric Design Standards. I was responsible for developing standards for 120 kV transmission XLPE cable, overhead structures, outdoor lighting, Network transformers, and Network Protectors. I compiled the data required to publish SMUD's Electric Service Requirements for Distributed Generation and Storage for Residential and Commercial customers and for the installation of 5G antennas on utility poles. I also served as the temporary Process Supervisor of the Downtown Network / Underground Transmission Group. I supervised ten IBEW employees, two engineers, and two technicians, with an $8 million annual budget. This group was responsible for maintenance and installation of all underground manholes, vaults, and associated equipment from 12 kV up to 230 kV within SMUD. I also served as temporary Resource Supervisor, Electrical Design & Standards. I was in charge of the staff assigned to develop and maintain SMUD's Construction Standards and Service Requirements. My responsibilities included supervision of engineering and technical personnel, coordination of Standard’s development and publication, providing subject matter expertise for Designer and Engineer training activities, and liaison with SMUD’s GIS Conversion Team. At the IID, my last assignment was Supervisor of Distribution Engineering Department - Coachella Division for three years. I was a member of Corporate Standards Committee, and was appointed Chairman of Committee for two years. I was Chairman of Subcommittee Groups: Fusing, Grounding, and Compatible Units. I was also the Project Manager for Southern Arizona Transmission Project – a proposed 300 mile, 500 kV line from Palo Verde-Yuma-Devers, budgeted for $370 million. Together with the consulting staff that was preparing the EIR and EIS, I held meetings with the BLM, BOR, US Navy, US Marines, US Army, Quechan Indian Tribe, INS, and four public scoping meetings. At FPL, I worked in the Distribution Planning Department and at the Manatee Power Plant.