Join your public power colleagues for MEUW “Day at the Capitol” on Feb. 13: MEUW is organizing a great networking opportunity to help educate legislative leaders about issues that matter to the public power industry and our communities. The “Day at the Capitol” will take place on Thursday, Feb. 13. There is no cost to participate, and all MEUW members are encouraged to take advantage of the chance to let our legislators know what’s important to municipal electric utilities.
The Madison Concourse Hotel will serve as the staging site for the day, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. After a brief informational session to introduce the issues and provide talking points, small groups will make their way to the Capitol to visit Senate and Assembly offices for pre-arranged meetings with legislators and their staffs. The event wraps up with a group lunch and discussion back at the Concourse.
To learn more and to register for the free event, please click here.
Friday is deadline to sign up for NESC Code seminar: A two-day seminar designed to increase members’ knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) as well as code requirements under Public Service Commission of Wisconsin sections 113, 114 and 119 will be held Jan. 28 and 29 at Plymouth Utilities. The registration fee is $175 per person. The complete agenda and link to register can be found here. The sign-up deadline is Jan. 24.
One-day Lineman University set for Feb. 4: A training seminar targeted for experienced lineworkers is being offered Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Energy Education Center in Eau Claire. Based on MEUW member feedback, this year’s “Lineman U” program has been consolidated to a single day to make it easier for more to attend.
The daylong session will offer a variety of technical and safety presentations, hands-on training, insights about the latest equipment, and many networking opportunities. The morning will include breakout sessions to enable participants to get information about the topics that most interest them. Among the topics to be covered are how wind power is affecting the grid, electric vehicles, how utility workers can help spot signs of human trafficking, proper care and use of arc-rated clothing, and more.
The complete agenda and registration information is available here. The registration fee for MEUW member utility employees is $275.
Diggers Hotline safety meetings happening around the state: Every year, between January and April, Diggers Hotline and the Damage Prevention Council of Wisconsin hold a series of Utility Damage Prevention Meetings throughout the state for utility workers, contractors, landscapers, plumbers, homebuilders and other professional excavators working in Wisconsin. These meetings promote safe digging practices and the importance of using Diggers Hotline services. Each meeting includes the safety-focused program, a buffet meal and door prizes. The meetings run approximately two hours and are free of charge. For a complete list of meeting sites and to register, click here.
“Powering Futures” scholarship applications due by end of month: Applications for MEUW’s new “Powering Futures” scholarship program are due on Jan. 31. The Powering Futures Scholarship Fund was created in 2018 in order to grow the number of qualified tradespeople for positions in municipal electric utilities. Each one-time scholarship awarded is for $500.
To be eligible, students must reside in one of over 80 Wisconsin communities operating an electric utility 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/scholarship. The recipients will be recognized at MEUW’s Annual Conference in May.
Utility Accounting and Finance subject of upcoming Management Training session: The next session in MEUW’s popular and long-standing Management Training Program focuses utility accounting and finance. The one-day session takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Hotel Marshfield, and will be led by Jodi Dobson, a partner in the Energy and Utilities Group at Baker Tilly. Complete details and registration information are available here.
The Management Training Program provides education for existing managers, mid-level managers and future management prospects. Participants may start at any point in the six-session series and are recognized after completing the program.
Watt-Hour Workshop set for March: MEUW will hold its Watt-Hour Meter Workshop on March 16-19, 2020, at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. This annual 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.
Registration for the workshop will open soon – please look for it on MEUW.org.