APPA National Conference features discussion on load growth and artificial intelligence: The American Public Power Association (APPA) held its National Conference last week in New Orleans. During the annual gathering, utility leaders and the head of the Nuclear Energy Institute discussed key issues facing the electric industry, including managing rapid load growth and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into utility operations. Panelists noted that electric demand is growing significantly — up to four times historical levels in some areas — requiring new, fast-to-deploy generation such as dual-fuel engines and turbines. Among public power utilities nationally, Nebraska Public Power District and Colorado Springs Utilities are exploring nuclear power as part of their long-term resource mix, especially as federal policies shift to classify nuclear as clean energy. The panel also explored the early but promising use of AI in utilities. Applications include predictive maintenance and infrastructure inspections using image analysis. Industry leaders foresee tailored large language models — similar to ChatGPT but focused on nuclear power — helping streamline operations and decision-making. More than 40 municipal utility employees from Wisconsin were among those in attendance at this year’s APPA National Conference.
The June edition of Live Lines was distributed on June 3. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Now is the time to prepare for mutual aid assistance: This week marks the summer solstice, and severe weather — bringing straight-line winds, heavy rain, funnel clouds, and even tornadoes — is a higher risk during the summer season. It’s important for your utility to have a plan when damaging weather affects your operations. As part of lessons learned following a large mutual-aid response several years ago, MEUW developed a “one-stop” guidebook to help members prepare for and manage a mutual aid event in their community. The Mutual Aid Community Resource Guide is available exclusively to MEUW members and can be accessed here (member login is required). As always, MEUW staff is standing by to help in the event any member utility requires mutual aid assistance. One call to MEUW’s Mutual Aid Hotline — 1-844-MEUW-911 — triggers an immediate response to organize resources and support a member utility’s recovery.
Learn to lead through collaboration at upcoming class: Leaders skilled in collaboration understand how individuals impact one another and how to foster creative thinking and effective problem-solving to drive results. Collaborating involves using influence and persuasion to drive high-performing teams. Build up your leadership skills by joining the “Leading Through Collaboration” class, part of MEUW’s professional development programming. Attendees will learn practical ideas and skills they can bring back to their workplace. The class will be held in Mauston on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Additional details about the course and instructor are here.
Midwest utilities will gather to explore weather-based threats to utility operations: The U.S. Department of Energy and other groups have organized an interactive, one-day workshop to support collaboration among municipal, cooperative, and tribal utilities in developing plans for more weather-resilient utility infrastructure. The forum is planned for Tuesday, July 22, at the Argonne National Laboratory in the suburban Chicago area. Full details are available here. Early sign-up to confirm registration is encouraged.
Save the date for annual Accounting and Customer Service Seminar: MEUW’s annual gathering of municipal electric utility personnel involved in accounting, customer service, and utility billing is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Lodge At Mauston. A detailed agenda will be available soon. A portion of the seminar agenda will be dedicated to “member showcase” discussions to allow utility attendees to share insights about their accounting, rates, billing, or customer service practices and successes. Each showcase discussion will be limited to 15 minutes, and each utility chosen to share will be offered a 50% discount toward one seminar registration fee. To be considered, please complete the “call for presenters” form here by noon on July 16.
MEUW Weekly is on a summer schedule: A reminder that MEUW is not distributing an e-newsletter every week during the summer. Look for the next edition of MEUW Weekly in your inbox on Tuesday, July 15. The July edition of MEUW’s monthly newsletter, Live Lines, will be sent on July 1.