Results of Wage & Benefits Survey distributed: Individuals who submitted data on behalf of their utility for MEUW’s annual Wage & Benefits Survey should have received an email with the results last week. All of the data submitted was compiled in a spreadsheet that was distributed on Aug. 12. Only the utilities that provided information for the survey received a copy of the results, which were sent to the email address of the person who submitted the data. A total of 56 utilities responded this year, which is one more than the total in 2018. A list of those that responded is available here.
Share information about how your utility handles accounting and customer service: Every member utility is being asked to complete a census survey to share insights about their accounting and customer service practices. The survey seeks to gather information about systems and vendors used by municipal electric utilities as well as data about deposits and disconnection thresholds, credit card fees, and the like. The results will be compiled and shared at the Accounting and Customer Service Seminar in September. The last time MEUW gathered this information was in 2013. To share insights about your utility’s practices, please complete the survey here.
There’s still time to register for the Customers First! Power Lunch: Make plans to be in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to get a glimpse of the future. “Energy 2050” – the program for this year’s Customers First! Coalition Power Lunch – will focus on what the utility world might look like at mid-century. Futurist Rebecca Ryan is the featured speaker. Representatives of MEUW member utilities can attend the event at no cost by entering the promo code CFCMEMBER during registration. To learn more about the program, click here.
District Dinners getting a new name: Beginning Sept. 3, you’ll be able to sign up to attend one of the seven “Meet & Eat” gatherings that will take place across the state in October and November. These annual get-togethers are a great opportunity to visit with your public power colleagues, enjoy a meal and get some updates on what’s happening with MEUW. Based on member feedback, we know that dinner isn’t always the most convenient time for a member get-together, so we’re adding a breakfast and lunchtime option to this year’s schedule for what used to be known as District Dinners. The complete schedule will be posted to MEUW’s Website soon.
Click here to access the latest MEUW Calendar of Events, which has been updated with dates for Board of Directors’ meetings and other events through the end of 2020.
For Sale: Algoma Utilities is currently accepting sealed bids for the sale of a bucket truck. Details are available here.
Do you have ideas for conference topics? MEUW leadership and staff are looking ahead to 2020 and making plans for the Electric Operations Conference and Expo (formerly Joint Superintendents’ Conference) to be held Jan. 15 to 17, 2020, and MEUW’s 91st Annual Conference to be held May 13 to 15, 2020. We‘re interested in suggestions for speakers and topics at the 2020 events. Maybe you heard a really good presenter at a recent conference or maybe there’s a topic you think municipal electric utility members need to know more about. Send us your ideas! Simply drop an email to info@MEUW.org with your suggestion.
Rubber Gloving Hotline School set for Sept. 17-18 in Green Bay: MEUW’s Electric Utility Safety and Training Coordinator Randy Larson is leading a two-day, hands-on training session offering simulations of hotline field operations and safety procedures next month. The seminar is designed for all lineworkers, regardless of their years of experience, and will include simulations related to 5KV, 12KV, and 25KV systems.
The program will be held Sept. 17 and 18 at the Northeast Energy Education Center in Green Bay. The cost is $285 for MEUW members. To learn more about the training and to register, click here.
Registration now open for annual Accounting and Customer Service Seminar: MEUW is holding its annual gathering for municipal electric utility accounting and customer service employees on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. This year’s program will include presentations by staff from the Public Service Commission with timely reminders about service rules and tips for preparing for a billing audit as well as updates from Focus on Energy and a discussion of Bankruptcy 101, among other topics. The cost to attend is $100 for MEUW members. A complete agenda and additional details are available on MEUW’s website.
A calendar of upcoming Electric Utility Safety and Training sessions MEUW’s instructors will be conducting is always up-to-date and available online. For quick access to the latest details about training dates, topics and locations, bookmark this page.