MEUW Weekly :: Dec. 1, 2020

Upcoming all-member teleconference to focus on pandemic response: As attention is refocused on helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, MEUW is planning to host a one-hour “Coronavirus Call-in” on Monday, Dec. 7, at 1:00 p.m. The goal of the teleconference is for MEUW members to exchange information, ask questions, and openly discuss the latest developments in the pandemic response. To participate, call 1-877-361-4628 and enter the passcode 778-894-0529. All lines will be muted until the discussion begins. Click here to download the appointment and add it to your calendar.

To make the most of the discussion, please submit your specific topics or questions in advance by emailing them to info@meuw.org.

Member Inquiry: Rose Schulze, Financial Manager of Sun Prairie Utilities, is asking MEUW member utilities to share any written procedures for miscellaneous Accounts Receivable. Specifically, invoices other than the typical monthly customer billings for metered electric and water usage. SPU has developed a draft list of items to be included, however, their only written procedure relates to the initial software entry used to generate an invoice, apply finance charges to past-due invoices, and run monthly statements. SPU is looking for what might be considered “best practices” for situations when invoices go past due (e.g., most often, when vehicle accidents result in damage to utility property). To share your input, please contact Rose directly at (608) 709-8345 or by email.

Save the date for member call with PSC staff: MEUW will host a special question-and-answer teleconference for all members on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the call is to get answers and information directly from staff at the Public Service Commission (PSC) about upcoming regulatory reporting related to arrears management and collections policies. Call-in details and other logistics will be provided closer to the date.

As a reminder, there are three reporting requirements resulting from recent PSC action:

  • All utilities are required to submit a quarterly report in the two open dockets related to the coronavirus by Jan. 15, 2021. Prior to the reporting deadline, the PSC will provide a single quarterly report format to cover the reporting for both the 5-UI-120 and 5-AF-105 dockets.
  • Jan. 15, 2021, is also the deadline by which all utilities are required to submit comprehensive plans about how they’re proposing to address the financial impacts of arrears. Commission staff are expected to provide utilities with the format and instructions for filing these “Arrears Management Plans.”
  • In addition, utilities that seek to disconnect residential service after April 15, 2021, must file disconnection plans with the Commission, no later than Feb. 15, 2021. It’s expected that these plans will take a similar format to those previously filed; PSC staff will provide more specifics.

Full details about these filing requirements are provided in the Commission Order issued on Oct. 29. The Jan. 5 call is intended to provide a forum for MEUW members to address specifics related to the filings. 

Registration now open for one-day Transformer Workshops: In an effort to maximize cold-weather days for in-person training, MEUW has arranged for a series of one-day workshops on the fundamentals of single-phase transformers during the week of Jan. 18, 2021. MEUW’s Randy Larson will lead the session. An overview of the topics to be covered is available here. 

The workshop will be held in four locations across the state with the goal of allowing utility crews to attend a session at a site nearer them to avoid an overnight hotel stay. Each session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m. Training will take place in the shop at each utility, and an extended lunch break will be on your own in order to safeguard against the spread of the virus.

The cost to attend is $25 per person, and the number of attendees will be limited to support social-distancing guidelines. Click on the date/location below to complete the online registration process at MEUW’s website.

Sign up to be part of virtual legislative rally: The 2021 American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally is shifting to an online event because of ongoing concerns surrounding the pandemic. The “virtual rally” is set for March 1-2, 2021. MEUW intends to again work closely with the WPPI Energy Government Affairs team to ensure participation from Wisconsinites is as strong as usual.

APPA’s Rally is always an important advocacy event, and this year is no different. The new Congress is expected to consider legislation on a variety of energy-related issues, including climate, energy technologies, renewable energy systems, infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Some have suggested shifting the Rally to a virtual format won’t have the same impact and it would have been better to delay the annual gathering to a later date in 2021. The fact is major policy proposals anticipated in the 117th Congress mean that conversations with legislators simply cannot wait, and the timing of the virtual event works well for that outreach. Known details about the 2021 Rally are available on APPA’s website here.

Wisconsin has typically been well represented at the APPA Rally. The virtual format for 2021 offers those who have always wanted to take part to do so without the cost of travel or the burden of time away. There is no cost to participate.

If you’re interested in participating in the virtual rally, please fill out this form and submit it to MEUW so we can share more details when they’re finalized. (WPPI Energy members should send an email to Rebecca Kraemer instead of using the MEUW form). Please call the MEUW Office at (608) 837-2263 with any questions.

Take advantage of MEUW’s pricing on MSDSonline: MEUW member utilities can sign up to access safety data sheets online at a discounted rate, thanks to group buying power through MEUW. MSDSonline, a one-stop shop for all your hazard communications needs, is available for an annual fee of $900 (a substantial savings over the typical $2,700 subscription rate).

The key benefits of MSDSonline include having access to:

  • More than 12 million Safety Data Sheets (SDS) online;
  • Automatic updates on all SDS into GHS compliance (no more struggles keeping paper copies up to date);
  • An app enabling SDS on-demand and easy access for employees using smartphones, tablets and computers; and
  • Primary and secondary container labels for all its products online.

If your utility already takes advantage of MEUW’s pricing, your subscription to MSDSonline will renew for 2021 and you will receive an invoice in the new year. If you’d like to learn more or wish to sign up for MSDSonline through MEUW for 2021, please contact Mike Czuprynko.

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