Electric Operations Conference & Expo 2023 starts tomorrow! We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells later this week. More than 175 participants are registered, and at least 62 municipal utilities will be represented. The annual conference is organized by MEUW in cooperation with Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA). It kicks off tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 11) with sessions targeting municipal-specific topics, including a presentation by Kristy Nieto, Administrator of the Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis at the Public Service Commission.
Attendees also will have the chance to visit nearly 100 manufacturers and suppliers of the latest and most in-demand products and services at Thursday’s Expo. The annual Apprentice Graduation banquet – honoring more than 40 new journeymen tradespeople in electric line work and metering from the Class of 2022 – will be held Thursday evening. The MEUW Board of Directors also will meet on Friday morning in conjunction with the conference.
The January edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
PSC launches new web-based municipal rate application: Staff at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) have finished a new web-based electric and natural gas rate application that includes enhanced security features and integrates the utility’s historic data. The new tool was launched Dec. 27, 2022, and is designed to streamline the application process and helps to limit errors by requiring less data entry. The application link can be accessed via the Commission’s website through the E-Services Portal.
Municipal utilities can begin using the new rate application now. While the PSC will continue accepting the current Excel application through April 30, 2023, as of May 1, the PSC will require that all rate applications be filed using the web-based application. Please contact us at (608) 266-0699 or PSCEnergyAnnualReports@wisconsin.gov with any questions.
Upcoming workshop is focused on troubleshooting your system: MEUW is hosting a one-day workshop to help member utilities learn more about how to proactively address problems on their electric-distribution system. Dave Krause, PE, of EPS Engineering & Design, Inc. will lead the workshop and highlight types of system faults and equipment reactions as well as different types of protective devices for overhead, underground, and substation equipment. The workshop is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 1, and will be held at The Lodge At Mauston from 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Further details and registration information is available on MEUW’s website here.
NESC Code changes are topic of February seminar: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is the go-to standard for electric and telecom utility companies. The code is updated every five years (the 2023 edition was released last August and will become effective Feb. 1). MEUW is holding a one-day seminar to enable members to learn about the fundamental applications of the NESC to electric utility transmission and distribution systems and be informed about the important 2023 updates. The seminar is planned for Thursday, Feb. 23, at The Lodge At Mauston and will be led by Bruce Beth and Justin Franz from Forster Electrical Engineering. The program will include group discussions and Q&A around rule interpretations, compliance issues, with information about resources for help. Full details and registration information is available on MEUW’s website here.
Now is a good time to make sure you’re ready to meet regulatory reporting deadlines in 2023: As the calendar turns to a new year, it’s important to make sure your utility is ready to comply with all of the electric utility reporting requirements and deadlines. To help member utilities stay on top of the details, MEUW provides a handy reference guide that includes key contacts and the timeframes for this important compliance reporting.
Remind your friends about MEUW scholarship: MEUW provides its “Powering Futures” Scholarship to support students pursuing careers in electrical power distribution. Applications for this year’s awards will be accepted until Jan. 26, 2023. To be eligible, students must reside in a Wisconsin public power community 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/scholarships.
Notes from recent association meetings are online: Draft minutes from two recent MEUW meetings are now online and available at the links below (member log-in required).
- The Executive Committee of MEUW’s Board of Directors held its regular every-other-month meeting on Dec. 5.
- MEUW’s Board of Directors held a virtual meeting on Dec. 14 to approve the association’s 2023 budget and handle other business.
The next regular meeting of MEUW’s Board of Directors is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 13. For an up-to-date listing of MEUW Board members, click here.