Agenda set for Annual Accounting and Customer Service seminar: Join municipal electric utility members from across Wisconsin to receive updates on issues that affect utilities and hear best practices to improve operations. Exchange information about timely topics and network with peers from utilities across the state. Agenda items for the Wednesday, Sept. 24, seminar in Mauston will include updates from the Public Service Commission, information from the Department of Revenue, Focus on Energy highlights, and techniques to turn mistakes into trust during customer interactions. Register today!
Activities in Washington, D.C. impacting public power utilities: The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are now both adjourned for lawmakers’ annual August recess. With all of the activity at the federal level, American Public Power Association (APPA) recently shared a high-level summary of what has happened thus far this year, what they anticipate for the rest of 2025, and some advocacy tips and suggestions. APPA also provided key messages covering four policy areas: reliability, permitting reform, wildfires, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). MEUW is sharing this information with member utilities to raise awareness of the issues and advocacy efforts at the national level. Members of APPA’s Policy Makers Council shared this information with Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation during a July visit to D.C.
Join us for the 2025 District Dinners: Getting members together for dinner and networking is a time-honored MEUW tradition, and registration is now open for this year’s District Dinners, which are now being held every other year. Eight dinners are planned across the state. MEUW members are encouraged to bring commission or council members and attend whichever scheduled dinner is most convenient (whether it is in their district or not). It’s a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from the public power community and to hear the latest happenings with MEUW and the industry. There is no cost to attend, although pre-registration is required. Each dinner begins with a cash bar at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30, followed by a brief program. Full details are available here.
Input requested regarding tariff impacts: APPA is asking members to complete a short, three-question survey to help understand the impacts of tariffs and inform their advocacy strategy. The survey is available here. Response are requested by close of business Tuesday, Sept. 2. Questions can be directed to Amy Thomas at APPA.
October class builds critical leadership skills: Mastering strategic communication and project management isn’t just useful — it’s the backbone of a thriving municipal utility. By completing a one-day training that is part of MEUW’s Fundamentals of Utility Leadership Management series, municipal utility professionals will equip themselves with essential communication and project-management skills to enhance operational success. Participants will learn to effectively plan and prioritize tasks, provide constructive feedback, and track projects to ensure nothing is overlooked. The class emphasizes clear communication — both in giving directions and active listening — to foster meaningful feedback and understanding. Learn more and register for the Oct. 8 class here.
The August edition of Live Lines was distributed on Aug. 5. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Updated Statistical Data now available: Wisconsin’s 81 municipal electric utilities served more than 315,000 customers, had nearly $764 million in revenues and paid their municipalities more than $21 million in lieu of taxes during 2024. Those are a few highlights from the updated statistical data MEUW has compiled based on recent reporting to the Public Service Commission. You can access the complete data sheet here. If you discover any problem with the information listed for your utility, please contact MEUW’s Tim Heinrich.
Finish the year strong with “Leading With Consistency” class Dec. 3: As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, this one-day leadership development course focuses on why why consistency is essential to being an effective utility leader. Participants will take away practical ideas they can apply to become a consistent leader and learn how consistency can help to inspire people to work toward a common goal. Participants will take away practical ideas they can apply to becoming more consistent and influential leader. Click here for full details about the instructor and what you’ll learn, and register today.
MEUW Weekly remains on summer schedule: A reminder that MEUW is not distributing an e-newsletter every week during the summer. Look for the next MEUW Weekly in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The September edition of MEUW’s monthly newsletter, Live Lines, will be sent as usual on the first Tuesday of the month (Sept. 2).