What’s delivered weekly, full of important information, and celebrating a big milestone? You guessed it — MEUW Weekly! This issue marks the 200th edition of MEUW Weekly, which is distributed to more than 1,200 people each week. On Tuesdays throughout the year, we share timely updates about topics of interest, upcoming events, and training opportunities to our members, and the click-through data — and member feedback! — shows they’re being seen and shared! Averaging eight articles per week, the Weekly is an efficient way for members to stay up-to-date on MEUW news. If you do the math, that’s 1,600 informative articles delivered to your inbox since the first edition was released in August 2018!
We want to make sure to continue to meet our members’ communications needs. Please share any ideas, questions, or member inquiries you’d like us to include in upcoming issues. If you know someone who doesn’t receive the Weekly, please share this link with them so they can sign up.
Here’s to the next 200 issues of MEUW Weekly!
Updated Statistical Data now available: Wisconsin’s 81 municipal electric utilities served more than 300,000 customers, had $765 million in revenues and paid their municipalities more than $20 million in lieu of taxes during 2023. 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 Tim Heinrich at (608) 478-0998.
Public power puzzle entries due Sept. 30: Take a few minutes to celebrate some of the things that make public power special by completing this Public Power Crossword Puzzle, originally published in the September issue of Live Lines. It’s a great way to gear up for Public Power Week (Oct. 6– 12). Submit your completed puzzle to info@meuw.org for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30. Good luck!
Do you know how to work safely with stored energy? Don’t miss your chance to learn! This one-day workshop will cover how to recognize stored energy, and how to control and mitigate it when working at trees with chainsaws. Choose between two locations and dates most convenient for you: Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Black River Falls, or Thursday, Oct. 3, in Prairie du Sac. Register today.
Don’t get tripped up by employment laws: Recruiting, training, ensuring compensation and benefits, and employee engagement all in the context of complying with ever-changing federal, state and local employment laws — HR issues can be a lot to keep track of. Register today for this one-day, expert-led valuable refresher for HR issues to help ensure you have correct information on how to comply with evolving employment laws. Led by experts from the Boardman Clark law firm, and held in Mauston on Tuesday, Oct. 1, registration is available here.
Join us for a special Friend of Public Power Dinner next month: Earlier this year, MEUW named state Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) as recipient of the “Friend of Public Power Award” for 2024 for his legislative efforts to advocate for municipal utilities’ ability own and operate EV charging stations, among other issues. MEUW is holding a dinner on Monday, Oct. 14, in Cuba City and will present Sen. Marklein with his award. All MEUW members are invited to take part in the event, which will be held at Red’s Supper Club. Full details and registration information is here.
Register for a District Dialogue near you: Network and discuss hot topics with municipal utility municipal utility leaders from across the state at one of five District Dialogue luncheons, sponsored by Utility Sales and Service. They will be held in the following locations:
- Thurs., Oct. 3 — Richland Center
- Tues., Oct. 15 — Shawano
- Thurs., Oct. 17 — Rice Lake
- Tues., Oct. 22 — Lake Mills
- Tues., Oct. 29 — Black River Falls
Each session will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude after lunch by about 1:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Sign up details are here.
Join Utility Accounting & Finance class Oct. 9: Learning various financial aspects associated with utility operations is essential for anyone in a management position. The next offering in MEUW’s four-part Fundamentals of Utility Management training series is Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Mauston. Gain a clear understanding of the fundamentals of public utility accounting and business operations, and how to review and effectively manage budgets. Register here.