MEUW Weekly :: April 18, 2023

Celebrate public power lineworkers today – it’s National Lineman Day! Together, MEUW member utilities employ more than 300 linemen across Wisconsin and we want to show our appreciation for all that they do, every day, around the clock. This year, we’re featuring Gresham Utilities’ Eddie Gibbs as he shares his perspectives on 40 years as a lineman. You can see this newsworthy feature on the MEUW YouTube channel. To see the faces of many of these hardworking public power crews, look here. Thank you today – and every day – for keeping the lights on safely!


Register now for the MEUW Annual Conference: The 93rd gathering of MEUW members will take place Wednesday, May 10 – Friday, May 12 in Green Bay. You won’t want to miss the chance to connect with municipal utility leaders from across Wisconsin and hear from speakers on a wide array of timely topics at MEUW’s Annual Conference in Green Bay. The full agenda can be found here. Sign up for a tour of our host utility, Kaukauna Utilities, and for optional tours of Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Visit www.meuw.org/annualconference to register before May 8.


Reserve your discounted hotel room today: Room reservations at Lodge Kohler, the conference hotel, are currently being accepted. The deadline to reserve rooms at the discounted MEUW rate is 5:00 p.m., tomorrow, Wednesday, April 19. 


Celebrate Earth Month with Focus on Energy. April is Earth month and Focus on Energy has added a Focus on the Earth section to their website which includes information on various community Earth Month events around the state, energy efficiency tips and lists the 2023 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award winners. They also feature a new line up of four free energy-saving packs and each has a different focus – baths, showers, comfort, and electronics.


Registration is open for hands-on Underground Distribution School training: MEUW and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) are partnering to provide a hands-on training session next month to enable lineworkers to fine-tune their skills and deepen their knowledge.

Held April 25 – 27 at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, the Underground Distribution (UD) School offers an ideal opportunity for lineworkers to learn and practice hands-on techniques in a simulated field setting to sharpen their skills, review practical applications, and safely perform tasks in a controlled environment.

This training is intended for all lineworkers, regardless of experience level. The cost for each workshop is $225 per person. (Third and fourth year CVTC apprentices are automatically enrolled as part of their apprenticeship.) Details and registration information are available here. Questions should be directed to Mike Czuprynko at (608) 478-2530.


Thank a volunteer in honor of National Volunteer Week. April 16 – 22 is National volunteer week, giving us a great opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to build stronger communities – like our MEUW community! We thank our volunteer Board of Directors members who share their time to help us be a stronger advocate and voice for public power. Thank you!


Strengthen your Utility Accounting & Finance skills June 7: The Utility Accounting & Finance workshop is designed for municipal workers of all skill levels and backgrounds, and is intended as a foundation for understanding the public power industry. The session will be held June 7 at the Lodge at Mauston. Registration is now open – details and registration information is available here.


Line Truck Basics Workshop offering: MEUW members have been invited to participate in an upcoming lineworker and mechanic seminar sponsored by Dairyland Power. The workshop is intended to remind, refresh and review basic truck operations with line technicians and cooperative mechanics. Details and registration instructions are located here.