Rare weather event showcases power of municipal utilities’ community: The first-ever February tornado in Wisconsin caused significant damage in and around Evansville in Rock County. The MEUW team coordinated mutual assistance crews from Lodi, New Glarus, Richland Center, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, and Vanguard Electric to help Evansville Water and Light employees repair the damage. Thanks to those who were called on for helping out.
Safety Award application period is open: MEUW enjoys recognizing member utilities for taking steps to improve their overall safety performance. We are now accepting applications for 2023 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 Friday, March 1. The awards will be presented at the Annual Conference in May.
Safety reminder — test your gloves: During the February 4 Monthly Safety Call, concerns were raised about increased rubber glove failures, even on new gloves. MEUW reminds all members to ensure your utility is testing gloves often — even right out of the box.
Get answers at Everything Solar Workshop: Whether solar projects are customer-driven or utility-scale, there are many design and interconnection decisions needed. Do you know what needs to be considered? What rules and regulations apply? Get answers to your questions and learn critical aspects of solar projects in this new two-day workshop led by Dave Krause, P.E., held at the Concourse Hotel in Madison Feb. 29 and March 1. Details are available here. Registration is now open and includes a volume-discount for multiple registrants from a utility. You don’t want to miss this opportunity – sign up today!
Are your safety practices up-to-date? In 2023, the American Public Power Association (APPA) released the 17th edition of its Safety Manual, which features more than 200 changes (detailed here) and the addition of several new sections. This is the first new edition since 2017. APPA’s Safety Manual is the basis of the work practices in use at municipal utilities across the country, including in Wisconsin. It is strongly recommended that all utility line personnel and management have their own copy. As a service to member utilities, MEUW coordinated a purchase of the updated manual for a price better than what an individual utility could get from APPA on its own. Orders should be placed through the MEUW Online Store. Manuals purchased from MEUW will be delivered to purchasing utilities during regular on-site safety training visits. Keep your workers safe by following the most current safety practices!
The February edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Registration is now open for Watt-Hour Meter Metering Workshop: MEUW will host its annual metering workshop March 25-28 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, helping participants gain valuable insights and useful technical training to keep their utilities’ meters operating properly. The workshop will include a review of the essentials of electric metering, combined with an in-depth discussion related to meter installation and troubleshooting. There will also be time to discuss how solar installations and electric-vehicle chargers impact metering. Workshop attendees will benefit from networking and the chance to learn from one another, including opportunities to engage with vendors who offer metering equipment. Through classroom and hands-on training, the program will benefit the beginner, intermediate, and experienced utility lineworker, covering topics like verifying and identifying metering inaccuracies, and choosing the correct metering equipment. There will be options to attend all or part of the four-day workshop. Full details and registration info are here.
Underground Facility Locating Workshops planned: Gain both classroom knowledge and hands-on application experience through this one-day workshop covering the National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NUCLA) Professional Competency Standard Manual Units 1-3. Attendees will learn locator theory, how to use a transmitter and receiver, how to overcome common obstacles, and how to evaluate difficult situations encountered in the field. Full details are available here. Choose from two convenient locations: Thursday, March 14, in Marshfield, or Tuesday, March 19, in Two Rivers. Classes are filling up – don’t miss out!
Learn why consistency is a key to quality leadership: When you clearly communicate your expectations and consistently hold people accountable, you create a work environment that maximizes individual contributions and leads to organizational and team success. As part of MEUW’s Professional Development Program, the “Leading With Consistency” course will help you increase your consistency and ability to lead others. The class will be held Wednesday, April 3 at The Lodge At Mauston; full details and registration are available here.
Customer Service Roundtables scheduled — new location added: There are now seven MEUW member utilities hosting Customer Service Roundtables in 2024. These Roundtables bring together member utilities to exchange ideas and learn from one another. The forum provides members an opportunity to start discussions among front-office and customer service personnel regarding leading practices, service trends and emerging issues affecting municipal electric utility customers. Everyone is welcome! Click here for locations and registration information.
Don’t miss the upcoming Foreman’s Roundtable: Recognizing the importance of the foreman role in the safe and efficient operations of utilities, we are holding a Foreman’s Roundtable on Tuesday, March 6 in Mauston. The people leading utility line crews face common challenges and often don’t have an opportunity to talk with others facing those same challenges. This one-day session will enable electric utility foremen to share ideas, learn from one another, and develop leadership and communication skills, especially regarding safety. Registration information and meeting details are available here.