MEUW Weekly :: September 22, 2026

APPA’s RP3 application deadline approaching: The application period for the American Public Power Association’s (APPA’s) Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation closes on September 30.
The RP3 designation recognizes utilities that demonstrate operational excellence in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Fewer than 300 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities have earned this distinction, including several MEUW member utilities. Eligible utilities are encouraged to submit their applications.

Achieving RP3 status provides an opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate your commitment to operational excellence
  • Benchmark your utility against industry-leading practices
  • Highlight your accomplishments to customers, policymakers, and stakeholders
  • Strengthen internal processes and continuous improvement efforts

Visit the RP3 program webpage for application requirements, resources, and important deadlines.

Good ideas travel: Connect with your MEUW peers: Member Roundtables are back this fall, giving municipal electric utility leaders and staff an opportunity to connect with their peers, exchange ideas and learn what’s working in other communities. These informal gatherings are a chance to talk openly about leading practices, operating challenges and emerging issues affecting municipal electric utilities. Bring your questions, share your experiences and take away ideas you can put to work at your own utility.

This year’s roundtables will be held in communities around the state. Each session begins at 9:00 a.m. and wraps up after lunch.

2026 Roundtable Dates & Locations:

There’s no cost to attend, but preregistration is required. Choose the location that works best for you and click the city name above to register. Come ready to share. Leave with new ideas.

The MEUW Board of Directors met virtually on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Minutes from that meeting are available here (member login required).

Build your foundational knowledge of effective planning and risk management: As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, we’re offering this one-day course to focus on utility planning and risk management. The purpose of this training is to explain the basics of strategic and operational planning, why planning matters, and how well-thought-out plans and careful assessments of risks can contribute to long-term success. Taught by seasoned engineer, Dave Krause, P.E., this class will send you back to your utility with a wealth of information. Held in Mauston on Oct. 7, registration and instructor details can be found here.

Public Power Week — Oct. 4-10: Graphic?

Wrap up the year with professional development class Dec. 2: Invest in your own professional development through this Dec. 2 Leading Through Coaching course. As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, we’re offering a one-day leadership development course that focuses on knowing how and when to coach — highlighting the skills and emotional intelligence needed to coach others effectively. Good coaches are seen as role models and therefore need to understand those things that cause them to have frustration, negative self-talk, and, in turn, keep them from channeling their emotions productively. Knowing yourself will help you to be more effective as a leader and a coach resulting in the ability to effectively develop others. Registration and details about what you’ll learn are available here.