MEUW Weekly :: November 16, 2021

Register now for the Electric Operations Conference & Expo and apprentice graduation banquet: Don’t miss the chance to participate in the 2022 Electric Operations Conference & Expo hosted by MEUW and the cooperative utilities association. The conference agenda is available here. In conjunction with the conference, the municipals and co-ops also celebrate the newest graduates of the lineworker and metering apprenticeship programs. More than 50 apprentices from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 will be recognized at this year’s banquet.

Full details about both events are available on MEUW’s Website (click on the links below). Details about registration passes can be found here.

> Electric Operations Conference & Expo– Jan. 12, 13, and 14

  • Conference begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12 (Day one is for exclusive to MEUW members)
  • “Welcome Reception” at 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday’s conference sessions are 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (open to MEUW and co-op employees). More than a dozen breakout sessions will take place during four separate periods to enable attendees to learn about topics that most interest them.
  • The “Expo” part of the program is a trade show featuring top utility industry manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest products and innovations. This year’s Expo takes place on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • MEUW Board of Directors’ meeting is Friday at 8:30 a.m.

> Apprentice Graduation Banquet – Thursday, Jan. 13 (ticketed event; separate registration required)

  • 6:00 p.m. reception and 7:00 p.m. dinner with a brief program to follow. Friends and family of graduates are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Ropes/Rigging Workshop set for December: MEUW has scheduled two December dates for a one-day safety workshop focused on the fundamentals of overhead rigging and knot-tying and the use of knots, ropes, blocks and tackle in the performance of line work. The session includes classroom and hands-on exercises. The training is Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Fennimore and Thursday, Dec. 9 in Wausau. Additional information is available here. Visit the online Event Calendar to register.

One-day three-phase transformer workshop coming to a location near you:  In an effort to maximize cold-weather days for in-person training, MEUW’s Randy Larson will lead a series of one-day workshops on the fundamentals of three-phase transformers in January 2022. Full details are available here.

The workshop will be held in six locations across the state with the goal of allowing utility crews to attend a session at a site nearer them to avoid an overnight hotel stay. Each session will begin at 8:15 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m. The training schedule includes an extended mid-day break to allow attendees to get lunch on their own. The cost to attend is $25 per person, and pre-registration will be required. Click on the the date/location below to register.

At-home COVID tests available: The State of Wisconsin now offers a COVID-19 testing option for everyone who lives in Wisconsin (with or without symptoms) at no cost. This service allows people to collect their own saliva samples for testing in their home. Click here for details.

New committee will help to develop preferred work methods manual:  MEUW is forming a new member subcommittee to help develop work methods and related documentation to address equipotential grounding, phasing, isolating, and other on-the-job practices. We are looking for lineworkers and supervisors to explore leading practices and communicate the best work methods for municipal utility workers across Wisconsin.

The group, which will function as subsection of MEUW’s Safety and Education (S&E) Committee, plans to meet quarterly and will address one topic at each session. The preferred work method will be reviewed by the full S&E Committee. Once approved, the preferred work method will be shared with all MEUW members to be put into practice. The quarterly meeting will take place in different locations to make it easier to attract participants and lessen travel. If you’d like to be part of this effort, please complete this brief form. Members of the subcommittee will be selected before the end of the year. Questions should be directed to mzielsdorf@meuw.org.

Listen for MEUW’s messaging and then enter for a chance to win a gift card or some swag: In early October, MEUW began airing messages on Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin. We want to know whether you’ve heard or seen the messages, which are intended to raise the profile of public power. In exchange for letting us know when and where you heard the MEUW spot, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card or a variety of MEUW merchandise offerings. Winners will be contacted in early December. To enter, fill out the form here.

Happy Thanksgiving: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not distribute the Weekly on Nov. 23

All of us at MEUW are grateful for your support as we focus on our mission to unify and strengthen Wisconsin’s community-owned utilities. We send best wishes to you and your family for a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.