Wisconsin is well-represented at this week’s APPA legislative rally: Hundreds of public power leaders from across the country are gathering in Washington, D.C., this week to educate federal lawmakers about public power’s policy priorities — including affordability, energy permitting reform, and support for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), among other topics. More than 50 Wisconsinites, representing two dozen municipalities, are joining their fellow mayors, alders, utility commissioners, general managers, and others from across the country for meetings with lawmakers and their staff. The Wisconsin delegation has meetings scheduled with six of the seven Members of Congress representing Wisconsin, along with U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. The American Public Association (APPA) stages the rally every year to advocate for municipal electric utilities and engage with legislators and policymakers about timely topics. Check out the next edition of Live Lines for a full recap of this year’s Rally.
Invest in leadership. Strengthen your utility. Deliver results. Investing in leadership development delivers measurable returns — stronger teams, better communication, improved operational efficiency, and more effective change management. MEUW’s upcoming Practical Leadership Strategies for Utility Managers workshop is designed to provide practical tools that create real value for your organization. This two‑day interactive Leadership Workshop will be led by two long-time utility industry leaders and focuses on communication, leadership skills, and managing change. Participants will learn strategies to build trust, communicate effectively, and strengthen team collaboration. Full details are here. Join us March 12–13 at Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells.
Award application deadlines approaching: MEUW enjoys recognizing member utilities, their employees and power promoters. Please submit your applications and nominations before the deadlines listed below.
- Safety Awards recognize steps member utilities are taking to improve their overall safety performance. We are now accepting applications for 2025 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 Monday, March 2.
- MEUW Honors recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed to the success of public power in Wisconsin. Each award has criteria that should be achieved for a candidate to be considered, detailed here. There is no cost to nominate someone for the awards; just complete this short and simple nomination form. The deadline to submit nomination forms is Monday, March 30.
All awards will be presented at MEUW’s 96th Annual Conference on Thursday, May 14, in Madison. Submit your applications and nominations today!
Surplus equipment for sale: Sturgeon Bay Utilities is selling a 2003 55-foot Versalift bucket truck and other equipment. The full list of items for sale can be found here. Contact Jason Bieri at (920) 746-5972 for additional information and photos.
Connect with other crew leaders at the Foreman’s Roundtable: The people leading utility line crews face common challenges and often don’t have an opportunity to talk with others facing those same challenges. We are holding a Foreman’s Roundtable on Wednesday, March 25, at PinSeekers in DeForest to enable electric utility foremen to share ideas, learn from one another, and develop leadership and communication skills, especially regarding safety. Following the Roundtable, attendees will have the chance to take part in an optional teambuilding and networking activity at the at the hybrid golf facility. Learn more and register here.
Register today for a Customer Service Roundtable: Every other year, MEUW organizes a series of roundtable meetings where member utilities can gather and exchange ideas. Six sessions at locations across the state are planned for March and April, offering municipal utility employees to learn from one another and discuss leading practices, service trends and emerging issues. There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome! Learn more at MEUW.org/csr. The dates and sites are:
- Wednesday, March 18: Rice Lake
- Thursday, March 19: Wisconsin Dells (new date)
- Wednesday, March 25: Oconomowoc
- Thursday, March 26: Menasha
- Wednesday, April 8: Stoughton (new date)
- Tuesday, April 14: Merrillan
“Grid Under Pressure Series” kicks off next week: The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is offering a three-part, online series focusing on the surge in data centers in Wisconsin. Part one – Strategic Load Integration – Managing Data Center Load Growth and Coordination – will be held on March 3. MEUW members can register for individual parts or for the whole series. Information and registration are available here.
Waunakee Utilities accepting bids for equipment: Bids are currently being accepted for the sale of a substation transformer (ABB 14 MVA), voltage regulators (Siemens), and substation fusing. Bids will be accepted until noon on March 17. Contact Sam Trace at (608) 843-6235 for detailed information.
Share topics of interest, concern with New Cyber/Physical Security working group: MEUW’s new member-led Cybersecurity/Physical Security working group was formed to be a resource for member utilities to collaborate on practical, right-sized approaches to security, particularly the smaller utilities that may have limited staff, budgets, or technical capacity. Please take a few moments to complete a brief survey to anonymously share your top cybersecurity and physical security topics to help guide the group’s efforts. MEUW members interested in joining or learning more are encouraged to contact working group Chair Don Krause at Kaukauna Utilities or email the MEUW office.
MEUW members invited to attend co-op training workshop: Dairyland Power Cooperative and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association are hosting “Lineman University” March 17–19 in La Crosse. Details about the program agenda and registration information is available here.
Registration for MEUW’s Annual Conference opens next week! MEUW will host its 96th Annual Conference on May 12–14 in Madison and Sun Prairie. The week’s activities will include a Day at the Capitol, golf outing, tours of host utility Sun Prairie’s new facility, a vendor trade show, a Utility Governance Roundtable, conference programming, the awards luncheon, and more! Those planning to attend can get a jump on booking a room at the conference hotel. Registration will open on March 2.