Federal government cuts affecting LIHEAP staff: Workers supporting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were reportedly placed on administrative leave last week in advance of their positions being eliminated through a reduction in force (RIF) in early June. The move has drawn attention from utilities and state officials nationwide, and the American Public Power Association is working with federal stakeholder groups to coordinate next steps. The majority of the 2025 LIHEAP appropriation has been already released, so the RIF is unlikely to have an immediate effect on local LIHEAP funding. Remaining federal funds are expected to be held up because there will be no staff to actually release the monies. For now, state officials report no interruption in LIHEAP disbursements to income-eligible Wisconsin utility customers. MEUW is monitoring developments and will provide updates as needed.
The April edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Annual Conference registration now open! The 95th gathering of MEUW members will take place Wednesday, May 14 through Friday, May 16 in La Crosse. Don’t miss the chance to connect with municipal utility leaders from across Wisconsin and hear from speakers on a wide array of timely topics at this year’s MEUW Annual Conference. Take part in the golf outing, join in a tour of the Dairyland Power Cooperative facilities, and attend entertaining and informative conference sessions. Visit www.meuw.org/95thAC for the complete agenda and registration information. Act now to take advantage of the “Early Bird” registration discount!
Don’t forget to book your stay at Radisson Hotel La Crosse under our group rate by calling (608) 793-5014 and mentioning MEUW’s 2025 Annual Conference (or book online here). The special rate for accommodations at the Radisson Hotel is available through April 22.
Submit your Wage & Benefits Survey data to receive results: Each year, MEUW collects information about the pay and perks provided to public power employees across the state. Instructions for completing this year’s survey were shared with key contacts at each utility. Full details about this year’s Wage & Benefits Survey are here. Details about which utilities have responded are here. As a reminder, only those utilities that provide information for the survey are able to receive the results. The deadline to respond is noon on Thursday, April 17.
Send us your line crew pics! In celebration of National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18, we plan to use our website and social media pages to recognize the more than 300 lineworkers making up the MEUW family. Help us recognize those hard-working electrical line workers by sharing a current photo of your line crews so we can post and share. Send the pictures to news@meuw.org and help us recognize Wisconsin’s public power lineworkers.
Learn to work safely with stored energy and chainsaws: Stored energy in trees represents a significant danger for line workers. Understanding the dynamics of stored energy, and how to safely work with and around it, is critical for every line worker. MEUW’s Stored Energy/Chainsaw workshop will cover how to recognize stored energy, and how to control and mitigate it when working at trees with chainsaws.
This workshop is recommended for electric line workers, line clearance workers, and public works employees who work around live wires. Material is first covered in the classroom and then applied in the field. Attendees learn how to identify and control stored energy, selecting the right tools to use, chainsaw safety, remote cuts, and how to evaluate difficult situations encountered in the field. Full details about the workshop, which is planned for Thursday, April 24, in Kaukauna, are available here.
Exceptional customer service training is subject of upcoming training: Providing exceptional customer service is a must for municipal utilities. This 90-minute virtual training will offer insights to elevate your customer service skills with strategies that align with the mission and values of your organization. The course explores methods to assess and improve service processes while offering practical tools for handling difficult people and challenging service situations, including how to frame and present options effectively to create positive outcomes. Planned for Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m., this class has something for everyone. Find out more here.
Nominate future MEUW Board of Directors members now: MEUW is currently accepting nominations for interested individuals to serve on the association’s Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning May 16, 2025. This year’s election will be for Directors and Alternate Directors in odd-numbered districts. The Nomination Form and additional information is available here. The deadline is Friday, April 18 (self-nominations are welcome).
Registration open for Excavation Competent Person workshops: Excavations represent a common hazard faced by utility employees. As with any hazard, a well-trained employee is the best defense against injuries on the job. MEUW is pleased to offer Excavation Competent Person training that includes both classroom and hands-on field training. Attendees will review OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P Excavation Standard (adopted and enforced by the state under SPS 332) and learn safety aspects, potential hazards, protective systems and planning for safe excavation and trenching. Choose from among six locations ― Florence (April 24); Kaukauna (May 29); Waunakee (June 3); New Holstein (June 4); or Shawano (June 5). Full details can be found here. Space is limited; early sign-up is encouraged!
Utility Planning & Risk Management course registration now open: Electric utilities are complex businesses that require careful attention to detail and comprehensive planning to maximize efficient operations. As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, this course explains the basics of strategic and operational planning, why planning matters, and how well-thought-out plans and careful assessments of risks can contribute to long-term success. Led by Dave Krause, P.E., Engineering Operations Manager for EPS Engineering & Design, Inc., this one-day class is for individuals tasked with oversight for municipal utility operations, including Utility Commissioners and Council members. The class will be held Wednesday, June 4, in Mauston ― details and registration are available here.