There’s still time to get in on the first session of “The Power of One”: MEUW is launching a new interactive, virtual training series aimed at exploring skills and insights to deliver exceptional customer service. The first of six 90-minute sessions in the monthly series takes place on Thursday, Jan. 23. The training series name — “The Power of One” — is a nod to how each employee’s individual actions contribute to customer satisfaction and a positive impression of the utility. All workers regardless of role, department, and experience level are welcome to attend.
Full details about the new program (including the registration options and fees) can be found at www.meuw.org/powerofone. There is a “try-then-buy” option that allows for enrollment in the first class before deciding whether to buy the rest of the series as part of the “Happy Learner” Bundle.
Each of the six classes will be held Thursdays from 10:00–11:30 a.m. You can register as an individual or participate together as a small group at your location (groups of five or fewer are recommended due to the interactive nature of the class). If you cannot attend this week’s training or miss the first class, you’ll still be able to enroll in the remaining sessions (although “early bird” pricing discounts will no longer apply).
Now is a good time to make sure you’re ready to meet regulatory reporting deadlines in 2025: With the new year still feeling somewhat “new” it’s a good time to double-check that your utility is ready to comply with the annual 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.
MEUW scholarship application period ends Friday: 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 this Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. 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.
Advocate, educate at “Day at the Capitol.” Take the opportunity to share the public power story with lawmakers and join your peers at the Capitol in Madison on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 (2/5/25). As a result of redistricting and the outcome of November’s elections, 28% of the state legislature has turned over, either with first-timers or lawmakers who have switched chambers for the new legislative session. This presents a huge opportunity for municipal utilities to make an impression on new (and returning) members of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly. You’ll be representing not only your public power community, but also the more than 300,000 Wisconsinites who get their electricity from a community-owned utility. Full details are available here.
Bangor Municipal Utilities has a digger truck for sale. It’s a 2021 Altec Model DH50H Hydraulic Derrick demo they purchased while their new truck was in production. For details, contact Pat Reilley at (608) 486-2151, extension 2.
Know the rules to be a well-run utility: Understanding the complexities of utility regulation and the variety of rules required to comply with state and federal safety and employment laws is essential to effectively managing a utility every day. The “right to serve” electric customers is a privilege municipal utilities can’t take for granted. As part of MEUW’s “Fundamentals of Utility Management” training program, this one-day course explores the rules and regulations, the reasons many of those rules exist, and the risks and consequences when utilities fail to follow them. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of these important concepts and learn new insights to make compliance more efficient. The class will be held in Mauston on Wednesday, Feb. 12. An outline of the training topics, the instructors, and registration details are here.
Sign up now for the Apparatus Workshop next month: MEUW and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) have organized an Apparatus Workshop to be held Feb. 18–19. Held at CVTC’s campus in Eau Claire, this workshop will cover topics like: jobsite safety, capacitors, voltage regulators, reclosers, trip savers, meters, and streetlights. (Final topics may change depending on presenter availability.) Details and registration information are located here.