Registration now open for January Electric Operations Conference & Expo: MEUW and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA), along with the Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association (WUSA), will hold the 2022 Electric Operations Conference & Expo at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Jan. 12, 13, and 14. Employees at all levels are welcome and encouraged to attend this year’s event, which features a full agenda with a great lineup of speakers and breakout sessions on a wide variety of relevant topics.
In response to many requests, registration fees have been set up to accommodate those who wish to attend only part of the three-day event. Three types of admission passes — labeled as Kilowatt, Megawatt, and Gigawatt — are available at different price points. Those most interested in the Expo (trade show), for example, will want to purchase a Megawatt pass, which offers access to the Wednesday Welcome Reception and Thursday’s conference sessions, meals, and the Expo. MEUW members who register by Dec. 15 can get a Megawatt pass for $175. This year’s pricing also includes a special rate for retired public power employees who have expressed interest in attending because they want to stay connected to former colleagues and like to keep up with changes in the electric industry.
Full details about the event — including the conference agenda and information about the breakout session topics — are available here.
January banquet will honor recent apprentice graduates: In conjunction with the Electric Operations Conference & Expo, MEUW and WECA will recognize the Classes of 2020 and 2021 who completed the lineworker and meter technician programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Mid-State Technical College, and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College at a banquet on Thursday evening, Jan. 13. The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by a sit-down dinner at 7 p.m., and a brief program. The cost to attend is $55 per person. Family and friends of graduates are welcome. Tickets are available for purchase here. Those planning to register for the Electric Operations Conference & Expo can add a banquet ticket to their conference registration.
The November edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
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.
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. The dates and locations are:
- Monday, Jan. 17: Fennimore
- Tuesday, Jan. 18: Waupun
- Wednesday, Jan. 19: Manitowoc
- Thursday, Jan. 20: Florence
- Friday, Jan. 21: Rice Lake
- Tuesday, Jan. 25: Arcadia
Registration opens Nov. 10 and will be available through the Event Calendar at MEUW.org.
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.