Wisconsin is well-represented at this week’s APPA legislative rally: Hundreds of public power leaders from across the country are gathered in Washington, D.C., this week to educate federal lawmakers about public power’s policy priorities and the work they do in their communities. Fifty-five delegates representing 21 Wisconsin municipalities are joining their fellow mayors, alders, utility commissioners, general managers, and others for meetings with Wisconsin’s congressional offices, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, and their staff members. The American Public Power Association (APPA) stages the rally every year to advocate for municipal electric utilities and provide a forum to engage legislators and policymakers about topics important to public power. Wisconsin’s delegation — which also includes representatives of WPPI Energy and Great Lakes Utilities — is typically among the largest to participate.
Keep safety top of mind and join MEUW’s monthly Safety Call on March 5: Join fellow MEUW members for the next member-driven safety call at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5. The call gives members the opportunity to share important safety updates, relay near-misses and lessons-learned, or discuss other safety-related topics. For details about how to join, read the information here.
Connect with other utility crew leaders at Foreman’s Roundtable: Meet and talk with others experiencing common challenges faced by utility crew leaders. Participants in the Foreman’s Roundtable on Wednesday, March 6, in Mauston will be together to share ideas, learn from one another, and develop leadership and communication skills, especially regarding safety. Registration information and meeting details are available here. If you’re registering and would like to join in an optional networking reception the night before (March 5), please let us know.
March 29 deadline to nominate individuals for MEUW awards: Throughout our 95-year history, MEUW has proudly recognized individual contributions and achievements toward advancing public power through awards presented at the Annual Conference. We are currently accepting nominations in a number of categories. Full details are available at MEUW.org/awards. To nominate someone from your utility or community, please complete the nomination form and submit it by March 29. Awards will be presented during a ceremony at MEUW’s Annual Conference on May 16.
Member Inquiry: Arcadia Electric Utility is looking for Itron 3-phase meters, specifically Itron 8/9s and 15/16s erted meters. Also, 9s non-erted mass memory meters. If you can help out, please contact Tim Putz, Superintendent.
Keep your Watt-Hour meters humming: The Watt-Hour meter has been called “the cash register of the electric utility.” Metering mistakes, tampering, and improper operation can be costly. Participants of all skill levels will gain valuable insights and useful technical training at MEUW’s annual metering workshop March 25–28 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. You can attend all or part of the four-day workshop. Full details and registration info are here.
One-day leadership class set for April 3: The next offering in MEUW’s three-part “Municipal Utility Leadership Certificate” will be held on April 3 in Mauston. The Leading With Consistency course focuses on why having a consistent approach to holding others accountable for their performance is an essential skill for any leader. Participants will learn practical tactics they can apply to become a consistent leader and learn how consistency can help to inspire people to work toward a common goal. To learn about the program and to register, click here.
Save the dates — MEUW Annual Conference: Make plans to join your public power colleagues in Marshfield for the 94th gathering of MEUW members. This year’s Annual Conference will take place Wednesday, May 15–17 (and includes a golf outing on Wednesday, May 15). You won’t want to miss the chance to connect with municipal utility leaders from across Wisconsin and hear from speakers on a wide array of timely topics. Bookmark this page and watch for a full agenda soon. In the meantime, reservations are currently being accepted under a special room block rate at Hotel Marshfield, the conference hotel. Conference registration will open April 1.