Don’t miss deadline to report pandemic expenses to Public Service Commission: All utilities are required to provide another report of COVID-19-related expenses, which is due Thursday, Oct. 15. The PSC authorized all electric, gas, steam, and water public utilities to defer their COVID-19-related expenses (such as foregone revenue and carrying costs) and required utilities to report their costs on a quarterly basis. The PSC has provided a survey form to report expenses from July 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2020. Every utility is expected to complete the survey by the Oct. 15 deadline, even if they are not reporting any COVID-19-related expenses. The survey is available here.
The October edition of Live Lines was distributed last week. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
There’s still time to share your feedback: MEUW is currently conducting a member survey to gather insights about the services and future direction of the association. Responses will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 16. The survey link has been sent directly to key contacts at each of our member utilities.
Anyone associated with one of our member utilities is also invited to complete the survey, which is available here. The survey is an important part of the association’s planning efforts, and the input provided is used to shift priorities and assess progress toward achieving strategic goals. Please take a minute to give us your feedback.
The Customers First! Coalition and Slipstream are holding two free, 90-minute webinars that may be of interest to MEUW members. Here are the details (click on the date to register):
“Building Toward Zero Carbon with Grid Flexibility” – Wednesday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.
What building technologies are going to be needed to propel us toward state and utility goals of net zero carbon by 2050? We will focus on grid-interactive efficient buildings and highlight specific emerging technologies that will both provide flexibility on the demand side and engage customers more with their utilities. Learn how homes and businesses will serve as a significant asset to the grid of the future.
Featured speakers include Tyler Huebner, Commissioner of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; Scott Hackel, Director of Research and Innovation at Slipstream; Rois Langner, Senior Research Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and Phil Markham, Smart Buildings R&D Manager with Southern Company.
“Energy Winners and Losers” – Wednesday, Oct. 21, 11:00 a.m.
As the nation heads towards Election Day, will climate and energy policy shape electoral politics? What policy proposals are generating buzz and which ones will make the biggest impact towards actually reducing emissions?
Featured speakers include Ellen Nowak, Commissioner of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; Denise Bode, Partner with Michael Best Strategies LLC; Craig Gilbert, Washington Bureau Chief of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and Jessica Pacheco at Horizon Strategies.
Friday is deadline to register for Work Order and Asset Management Accounting Seminar: MEUW is a offering a three-part, online-only seminar to help member utilities build a stronger and more comprehensive understanding of the components and systems used to accurately account for and report utility plant construction. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 16. Training will be conducted in three two-hour Zoom sessions — on Oct. 20, Oct. 27, and Nov. 3. The training will be recorded and available for playback if a paid registrant misses any portion. Each session runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The registration fee covers one person (individuals receive unique log-in credentials that cannot be shared). Three or more employees from the same municipality/utility are eligible for discounted group pricing (savings of $75 per person). Full details and registration information is available here.
How did you celebrate Public Power Week? We’re planning to include a wrap up of last week’s Public Power Week events in the next edition of Live Lines. Utilities are encouraged to share details about how they marked the occasion and provide any photos by sending an email to news@meuw.org by Oct. 23.
New positions are added to the “Jobs in Municipal Utilities” page on MEUW’s Website all the time – check out the postings here, and encourage your friends and neighbors to watch for jobs that might interest them.