MEUW introduces “The Power of One” customer service training: Customer interactions happen in every role, regardless of whether it’s a formal part of your job. In response to member feedback, MEUW is launching a new interactive, virtual training series to explore skills and insights to deliver exceptional customer service. The six-part monthly series is “The Power of One,” which is an acknowledgement of how individual employee actions contribute to customer satisfaction and a positive impression of the utility. All workers regardless of role, department, and experience level are welcome to attend. Electric, water, wastewater, public works — everyone in every department, whether new to the job or a long-time veteran — will takeaway valuable insights that lead to improved customer service for internal and external customers.
The classes will be held Thursdays from 10:00–11:30 a.m., once per month beginning Jan. 23. Register as an individual or organize a group training at your location. Registration is open now for the first session. There is also an option to register for the full six-part series with the “Early Bird” Bundle between now and Jan. 23. Those interested in the training are also welcome to enroll in the first class and then decide if you’d like to buy the rest of the series as part of the “Happy Learner” Bundle. Full details about the new program (including the registration options and fees) can be found at www.meuw.org/powerofone.
Act 10 ruling prompts a “wait-and-see” recommendation: As you may have seen in the news, a Dane County judge last week issued a decision striking down portions of Act 10, saying that it violated the equal-protection guarantees in the state Constitution. Act 10 was originally signed into law in 2011 and significantly limited collective bargaining for municipal employees. An appeal of last week’s ruling has already been filed, contributing to a further lack of clarity about what the decision means for municipal employees. As was the case when Act 10 became law, MEUW is partnering with Boardman & Clark to monitor these developments, and they recommend a “wait-and-see” approach as the appeals process plays out. Read the full update here. MEUW will provide additional updates as needed.
The December edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Full agenda for 2025 Electric Operations Conference & Expo now available: There’s still time to register for the 2025 Electric Operations Conference & Expo at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Jan. 15–17. The detailed agenda — including information about the specific presenters and breakout topics — has been added to the event website here. The Expo, a five-hour trade show taking place on Thursday, Jan. 16, has sold out of exhibitor spaces and will be a great opportunity to learn about the goods and services offered by more than 100 utility suppliers. The event is co-presented by MEUW and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA). Full details are available here. Remember the Dec. 15 deadline to book your hotel room to take advantage of the reduced rate.
Get your tickets for the apprentice graduation banquet: The annual Apprentice Graduation Banquet will be held in conjunction with the 2025 Electric Operations Conference & Expo on Thursday evening, Jan. 16. The event will include a reception, dinner, and brief program to recognize the Class of 2024 who completed the apprenticeship programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. A list of all those who will be recognized is available here. To attend the event, you’ll need a separate ticket; details are here. Friends and family are welcome.
Rice Lake Utilities would like to sell approximately 1,500 Sensus A Generation 3 2S class 200 meters with remote disconnects, manufactured from 2011- 2013. The price is negotiable. Contact Jimmy Smith for details at (715) 234-7004 or via email.
Scholarship available for aspiring utility workers: MEUW provides its “Powering Futures” Scholarship to support students pursuing careers in electrical power distribution. Applications for this year’s awards will be accepted Dec. 16, 2024 through Jan. 24, 2025. To be eligible, students must reside in a Wisconsin public power community and must be pursuing post-secondary education to become a Field Service Technician, Groundman, Lineman Apprentice, Electric Meter Technician, Substation Electrician Apprentice or Utility Technician. For more information and to review the complete criteria, visit meuw.org/scholarships.
Help us spread the word: Member utilities are encouraged to customize this letter and share it with the high school principal or guidance office in your community.
Advocate for public power during “Day at the Capitol.” Meet with state legislators to share the public power message in Madison. Join fellow members in representing not only your public power community, but also the more than 300,000 Wisconsinites who get their electricity from a community-owned utility. Full details are available here.
A room block is available for those who need lodging Tuesday, Feb. 4. Details are here.
Register today for Regulation, Compliance & Safety course: As a highly regulated business, utilities must comply with dozens of operating rules to retain the “right to serve” electric customers. Part of MEUW’s “Fundamentals of Utility Management” training program, this class will explore the wide array of regulations, compliance, and safety rules every municipal utility leader must follow. Offered Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Mauston, the course will explore the reasons behind the rules and provide insights to make compliance easier. An outline of the training topics, the instructors, and registration details are here.