Webinar tomorrow will explore federal grants available for municipal utility projects: Power System Engineering (PSE) plans to hold a one-hour webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 9 a.m. to provide an in-depth overview of numerous funding opportunities that will soon be available to Wisconsin municipal utilities. The funding is provided mainly through grants coming out of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. Details about the free webinar are available here.
We can squeeze you in for Lineman University later this week: MEUW’s “Lineman University” training seminar will take place on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 24-25 at The Lodge At Mauston. If you act now, we can add your name to the roster. Topics to be covered are useful for anyone who works in the field of electric power systems, construction, and maintenance. Individuals of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend. The full agenda and registration details are available here. Please call Mallory Conradt at (608) 469-6009 for a last-minute registration before noon on Wednesday.
Order copies of children’s book to share with your customers: MEUW member utilities are invited to be part a special purchase that will help to highlight the role of lineworkers, local utility ownership, and the benefits of public power. WPPI Energy created an illustrated children’s book — If I Were A Lineworker — in 2020, and is now making the award-winning book available for purchase by other public power utilities to share it with their community. (Your utility does not need to be part of WPPI to take advantage of this offer.) Orders are being accepted throughout the month of February. Utilities can also purchase a sticker and brand the book as their own. Orders will ship in March to allow utilities to distribute the books in conjunction with the celebration of National Lineworker Appreciation Day in April. Full details are available here.
Electric co-ops open up training to municipal electric employees: The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) and Dairyland Power Cooperative are hosting a two-day “Key Person” training session and they’re making it available to employees of municipal electric utilities. Full details about the workshop planned for March 9-10 at the Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire are available here. The deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 24.
Applications for Safety Awards are due next Tuesday: MEUW enjoys recognizing member utilities for taking steps to improve their overall safety performance. We are now accepting applications for 2021 performance measures. Each utility is encouraged to take time to compile the necessary information and submit the application spreadsheet, which is available at MEUW.org/safetyawards. The deadline to submit the required documentation is Tuesday, March 1. The awards will be presented at the Annual Conference in May.
Tell us what you think! MEUW is currently conducting a member survey to gather feedback about the services and future direction of the association. Responses will be accepted through Friday, March 18. The survey link has been sent directly to key contacts at each of our member utilities. Anyone associated with one of our member utilities is also invited to complete the survey, which is available here. The survey is an important part of the association’s planning.
Registration open for Watt-Hour Metering Workshop next month: For the first time since 2019, MEUW will hold the Watt-Hour Metering Workshop March 15-17 at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. The three-day workshop is a must-attend event for meter technicians, as industry leaders will explain new technologies and approved work practices. Other agenda highlights include verifying and identifying metering inaccuracies and choosing the correct metering equipment. There is a half-day “Pre-Workshop Session” beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14, that covers basic metering for those who are new to metering or would like a refresher. The registration fee for the Workshop is $495 per person; the Pre-Workshop session is an additional $75. Click here to learn more and to sign up.