PSC extends moratorium on residential disconnects: At its July 23 Open Meeting, members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) discussed trends in the economic and public health concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic. The discussion resulted in two key decisions:
- Utilities cannot disconnect or refuse service for residential customers for nonpayment until September 1.
- Utilities pursuing disconnection must file with PSC a monthly update of their previously filed disconnect plans. An online survey will be used to gather utility information, with the first monthly reporting due on August 10, 2020. Utilities will receive an email with information on how to file additional reporting information regarding residential customers subject to disconnection.
Other regulatory rules, including those related to deferred payment agreements, late fees, and medical-emergency notifications, continue to apply. Also, beginning July 31, a utility may require a cash deposit as a condition of new service.
The PSC is providing updated announcements and resources related to COVID-19 here.
The Commissioners expressed appreciation for utilities providing flexibility to customers with deferred payment agreements and voiced interest in “learning more” about the municipal process for placing an unpaid utility bill balance on a property owner’s tax roll. MEUW will remain engaged with the PSC and intends to file stakeholder comments in the open docket on this matter.
The Commissioners plan to meet on August 20 to discuss if further modifications or extensions should be provided beyond September 1. We will continue to keep you informed on this issue. Specific questions should be directed to MEUW Executive Director Tim Heinrich.
Updated Statistical Data now available: Wisconsin’s 81 municipal electric utilities served nearly 295,000 customers, had $681 million in revenues and paid their municipalities more than $23.5 million in lieu of taxes last year. Those are a few highlights from the updated statistical data MEUW has compiled based on recent reporting to the Public Service Commission. You can access the complete data sheet here. If you discover any problem with the information listed for your utility, please contact Mallory Conradt at (608) 478-2528.
Join us for the “Public Power Fore-ward” golf outing: Even though the MEUW Annual Conference was canceled due to COVID-19, the golf outing is a go! The event is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19, and provides for a safe, outdoor gathering of MEUW members. Sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association (WUSA), the outing will take place at the Castle Rock Golf Course in New Lisbon to provide for a more centralized site. Click here for details and to access registration information.
Give us your feedback about the Operations Conference: We’ve begun putting plans together for the next Electric Operations Conference & Expo (formerly the Joint Superintendents’ Conference). Like everything, planning for the 2021 event — currently set for Jan. 13-15 in Wisconsin Dells — is complicated by continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.
We’ve put together a brief survey to collect feedback to help us prioritize our planning for EOCE 2021. Please take a minute to complete the survey here. We want to hear from as many folks as possible to inform our decision making.
Discounted hi-vis shirts on sale now: MEUW is offering for sale a limited quantity of Bulwark arc-rated, hi-visibility, long-sleeved work shirts at a deeply discounted price. Thanks in part to VF Workwear’s sponsorship and support of MEUW, the shirt is available for $40 (typically retails for $139). Sizes XL and XXL are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. These shirts were purchased for the 2020 Watt Hour Meter Workshop and Underground Distribution School that were canceled due to COVID-19. The shirts are for sale exclusively online at MEUW.org. All orders must be purchased using a credit card.