Help your community learn more about work zone safety: Municipal utility employees are well aware of the hazards of roadside work. And we all know that everything in a work zone is carefully planned and regulated in order to increase visibility and safety for drivers and workers alike. April 20-24 is National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, an annual event observed nationwide to promote the importance of work zone safety. Resources are available from the American Traffic Safety Services Association to help your utility use the occasion to raise awareness with your customers and community. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also has an online quiz to test individuals’ knowledge about work zone safety. Stay safe out there!
It’s time to register for the Annual Conference! Registration is open for this year’s Annual Conference in Madison and Sun Prairie! You won’t want to miss the great agenda or the opportunity to connect with your colleagues from across the state. The Annual Conference will take place May 12–14, with the majority of the programming (and the awards ceremony) happening on Thursday, May 14. You’re invited to attend as much or as little of the conference as your schedule allows. Join in the “Day at the Capitol” advocacy day on Tuesday, golf outing or Utility Governance Roundtable on Wednesday, a tour of Sun Prairie Utilities’ impressive new facilities Wednesday afternoon, the trade show, and then a welcome reception Wednesday evening, May 13. Click here to learn more.
Governor proclaims April as Safe Digging Month: The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin announced that Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed April as Safe Digging Month, raising awareness of the importance of calling Diggers Hotline before they dig. The Governor’s full proclamation can be found here.
Take time to thank a volunteer this week: April 19 – 25 is designated as National Volunteer Week, giving us a great opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to build stronger communities. We know that many of our members give back in a variety of ways, including as volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. We also extend a special thanks to the members of MEUW’s Board of Directors and those who work on MEUW Committees. They volunteer their time and expertise to help deliver on MEUW’s mission to unify and strengthen public power utilities, and we appreciate their support.
In case you missed it, we celebrated National Lineman Day April 18! Together, MEUW member utilities employ more than 300 linemen across Wisconsin and we were glad to use the day to share our appreciation for all that they do. As they say, “when the lights go out, so do they.” MEUW gathered photos from members across the state as they celebrated their lineworkers. View the gallery here.
Participate in the Utility Governance Roundtable on May 13: MEUW’s Utility Governance Roundtable brings municipal leaders together for a practical, peer‑driven look at how to oversee strong, sustainable community‑owned utilities. The highly interactive forum will happen in Sun Prairie in conjunction with the 96th Annual Conference and will focus on oversight, finances, and leading practices in public power utilities. Learn more here.
Share safety information with local tree-trimmers: We all know that tree-trimming work can be dangerous, especially near power lines. Following strict safety precautions and staying vigilant is critical to ensuring tree-trimmer safety. MEUW has put together information member utilities can customize and use to spread the important messages about tree-trimmer safety practices. The Tree-Trimming Safety Communication Toolkit includes a draft newsletter article, a flier, and social media messaging that can be branded and used by members. Please use any and all parts of this toolkit to get out these important safety messages to help prevent future injuries.
Provide your input to help us shape MEUW communications: MEUW has been publishing our monthly Live Lines newsletter for an incredible 65 years! For generations, it has played an important role in keeping our members informed, connected, and up to date.
As we celebrate this legacy, we’re also taking a thoughtful look at how we communicate today. A core part of our mission is to provide information that is clear, relevant, and useful — and we want to ensure we’re doing that as effectively as possible.
Please give us your feedback by taking this brief survey about how you use and experience our communications, including our weekly emails, monthly newsletter, website, social media, and bulletins. Your input will help guide how we share information moving forward — so we can honor our history while continuing to meet the evolving needs of our members today. Thank you for helping us shape what comes next.
Sign up today for “Regulation, Compliance & Safety” course: With more than 100 specific rules utilities must follow to retain the “right-to-serve” electric customers, utilities are highly regulated businesses. Join this one-day class which helps explain why the rules exist and how to navigate the complexities of compliance — skills fundamental to success as a utility manager. Led by John Andres, an expert on utility regulations, and Melissa Barnes, a seasoned Human Resources Manager, participants will walk away from this class with a greater understanding of utility regulations and how to comply. You won’t want to miss this popular (and highly recommended) training that is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, in Mauston. Registration is now open — sign up today!
