MEUW Weekly :: Dec. 3, 2019

Registration open for Lineman University: MEUW will host a refresher training seminar for experienced lineworkers on Feb. 4, 2020, at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Energy Education Center in Eau Claire. Based on member feedback, the program has been consolidated to a single day to make it easier for more to attend.

The daylong session will offer a variety of technical and safety presentations, hands-on training, insights about the latest equipment, and many networking opportunities. The morning will include breakout sessions to enable participants to get information about the topics that most interest them. The complete agenda and registration information is available on MEUW’s Website. The registration fee for MEUW member utility employees is $275.

Public Service Commission holding workshop on electric vehicles: Earlier in 2019, the PSC opened an investigation on electric vehicle policy and regulation, and they are planning to hold a workshop on Thursday, Dec. 5, to continue dialogue among the interested parties. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Hill Farms State Office Building, 4822 Madison Yards Way in Madison. Additional details are available here.

Reminder of Customers First! Annual Meeting: The Customers First! Coalition will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Madison Concourse Hotel. MEUW is a founding member of the CFC, and all members are welcome to attend this free event. To learn more and to register, click here.

Enter MEUW’s Readers’ Contest for chance to win prizes: The November edition of Live Lines included details about a contest designed to engage readers of MEUW’s publications.

We all know that people who live in the Badger State are called Wisconsinites – a term known as a “demonym” given to residents or natives of a particular place. This year’s “Readers’ Contest” aims to find out what the locals are called in the 81 public power communities across Wisconsin. Full details are here.

The deadline to submit your response is Wednesday, Dec. 18. All responses will be part of a random drawing for gift cards and MEUW merchandise, and the more responses received, the greater the number of prizes awarded.  You can enter the contest by completing the online form available here.

Electric Operations Conference & Expo and annual apprentice graduation banquet just around the corner: The 2020 Electric Operations Conference & Expo (the new name for the expanded “Joint Superintendents’ Conference”) and the apprentice graduation banquet are coming up in January. Full details about both events are available on MEUW’s Website (click on the links below).

> Electric Operations Conference & Expo – Jan. 15, 16 and 17

  • Conference begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15
  • “Welcome Reception” at 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday’s conference sessions are 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • The “Expo” part of the program is a trade show featuring top utility industry manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest products and innovations is Thursday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
  • MEUW’s Board of Directors’ meeting is Friday at 8:30 a.m.
  • The full conference agenda is available here.

> Apprentice Graduation Banquet – Jan. 15 (ticketed event; separate registration required)

  • 6:00 p.m. dinner followed by a brief program; friends and family of graduates are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Register now for upcoming National Electrical Safety Code training session: MEUW is holding a National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) Seminar on Jan. 28 and 29, 2020, at Plymouth Utilities.

Topics for this two-day conference include overhead and underground settings, substation clearance requirements, communication facilities clearance requirements, cable markings, and safety signs that conform with the National Electrical Safety Code and Wisconsin PSC 113, 114 and 119 code requirements. The complete agenda is available here. The registration fee for MEUW member utility employees is $175. To register, click here.

Join your public power colleagues in the nation’s capital:  Make plans to attend the 2020 American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally taking place Feb. 24-26, in Washington, D.C. The annual rally is crucial to ensuring that U.S. Senators and Congressional members hear the voices and concerns of MEUW municipal utility members and our communities. Wisconsin is traditionally well represented at the rally, enabling our members to help influence policy and to represent the public power community as a whole. Additional information and registration details are available on APPA’s Website. If you’ve never attended and are interested in learning more about the 2020 event, please call the MEUW Office at (608) 837-2263.