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2008: A Look Ahead
Happy 2008! And Happy 80th to the MEUW organization!
Following a legislative hearing on utility issues eighty years ago this
September, officials from Algoma, Kaukauna, Menasha and Sturgeon Bay
held a meeting at the Park Hotel in Madison for the purpose of
formulating a letter that was sent to the Mayors, Village Presidents and
Superintendents of the 88 municipally owned electric utilities in the
state suggesting the formation of a state municipal utility
organization. Enthusiastic replies were received, and by October 21,
1928, the organization’s Constitution and Bylaws were adopted at a
membership meeting in Menasha.
Ever since, for eight decades, public power communities in Wisconsin
have worked together on issues of mutual concern, realizing that by
working together, outcomes and efficiencies can be achieved for the
group that no single community or utility could afford to pursue or
advocate on its own. And we have been working together ever since.
So, what’s in store for Wisconsin’s public power communities and
utilities in the New Year? Here’s a brief look. Don’t expect any bold or
controversial legislation to pass either the State Legislature or
Congress in the remaining months of their legislative sessions. With
political power divided, legislation will require strong bipartisan
support to become law. The voters will then go to the polls on November
4, 2008, and send a newly configured set of leaders to the State
Capitol, the U.S. Congress and the White House.
On the state front, the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force plans to
issue its report in the Spring containing various sets of
recommendations. On the national and regional front, we will see more
focus on implementation of the electric reliability initiatives that
were contained on the Energy Policy Act of 2005. And we will see
a continued examination of whether the Midwest Independent Transmission
System Operator (MISO) is providing tangible overall benefit to electric
customers in Wisconsin.
Last but not least, as we think about the benefits of working together –
as we have been doing for the past 80 years – let us all dedicate each
day in the New Year to making sure that our employees, our most valuable
asset, work together in a highly safe manner. MEUW Members and their
employees benefit from participating in MEUW’s comprehensive job safety
and training program, and our regional safety groups.
Dave Benforado
MEUW Executive Director
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January 31, 2008 in
Madison
4th Annual Municipal Utility Legislative Rally
The fourth annual “Municipal Utility Legislative Day” will take place
on Thursday, January 31, 2008, at the Concourse Hotel in Madison.
Municipal utility (electric, water and wastewater) officials, city and
village elected officials and other local government personnel will
gather to learn about important issues that affect their daily utility
operations.
The purpose of the annual gathering is to share information with each
other on legislative bills, administrative rules, and local ordinances
that might affect local utility operations.
Many times, personalizing complex issues with a visit to Madison is the
most effective way to lobby your elected officials. Participants are
encouraged to make appointments with their State legislators in the
afternoon on January 31 to help inform them and their staff about
municipal utility issues.
So just what are the issues of the day for municipal utilities?
Come to the Concourse Hotel on January 31 at 8:30 a.m. and find out.
Hear from legislative leaders and others on how the remainder of the
2007-08 Legislative Session is shaping up – and how you can have an
influence on the outcome. Call MEUW Associate Director Scott Meske at
(608) 837-2263 for more information or email:
smeske@meuw.org.
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February
25-28, 2008 in Washington D.C.
2008 APPA Legislative Rally
Each year, the APPA Legislative Rally brings hundreds of
locally-elected and appointed officials, public power managers, and
legislative experts to the nation’s capital to convey public power’s
success story. The 2008 APPA Legislative Rally, February 25-28, 2008,
offers every member of the national public power community an
opportunity to work together on federal legislative and regulatory
issues that affect the industry.
MEUW and WPPI team up to help prepare and present an effective,
informational trip for our public power officials. Meetings with all ten
federal elected officials, a breakfast prep session and a quality lunch
wrap- up meeting make the trip worthwhile for every level of official.
APPA will provide attendees with a full range of tools to enable each
public power official to advocate priority issues. APPA staff and expert
speakers will brief attendees on key messages and on the most effective
ways to influence decision-makers and deliver results. By working with
our congressional delegation, we help APPA cover more ground and be a
more effective advocate on issues most critical to public power in the
years to come.
Come join our delegation from Wisconsin’s public power community in
Washington, February 25-28. For more information visit:
www.meuw.org/events.htm.
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A Wisconsin State
Journal Editorial
Lower Barriers for Wind Farms
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/opinion/index.php?ntid=260946&ntpid=1
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January 29-30,
2008, in Chippewa Falls
MEUW Underground & Overhead Design Seminar
The MEUW Underground & Overhead Design Seminar has been set for
January 29-30, 2008, at the Avalon Hotel & Conference Center (1009 W.
Park Ave.) in Chippewa Falls. Linemen, Foremen, and Superintendents
would benefit from attending this seminar, so we encourage your utility
to consider sending one or more of your personnel.
We have held this seminar in the past, and it continues to be a popular
and well-attended workshop. It will be led by Dave Krause of Krause
Power Engineering, LLC of Chippewa Falls. Dave started his career as a
lineman for WPS and has the unique perspective of both a lineman who has
built and maintained distribution systems and an engineer who has
designed systems that are safe and provide for customer needs now and in
the future. While you won’t leave this seminar being able to engineer
your own distribution system, you will learn construction standards and
why it is important to follow them. This year’s seminar will also
include an overview of the NESC 2007 update.
The cost of the seminar is $200 per attendee. The registration
deadline is Tuesday, January 15, 2008. For those who wish to stay
overnight, we have reserved a block of rooms ($61.90 plus tax per night
for January 28-29, 2008). Please contact the Avalon Hotel & Conference
Center (888/727-5288) directly to make your hotel reservations. Be sure
to ask for the “MEUW” block. Hotel Reservations must be made by Monday,
December 31, 2007.
Registration materials were sent out on December 17, 2007. For another
copy, visit www.meuw.org/events or contact MEUW
Office Manager Linda Olson (lolson@meuw.org
or call 608/837-2263).
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February 6, 2008 in
Marshfield
MEUW Management Certification Program “Session E”
Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin is continuing its program
to provide education for “home grown” management personnel–both existing
managers and future management prospects. Session E (Personnel Issues)
will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the Marshfield Holiday
Inn.
The instructors will be Boardman Law Firm Attorneys Jennifer Mirus and
Steve Zach with an after lunch presentation titled “Supervisory Safety
Responsibilities” by MEUW Northwest Regional Safety Coordinator Leo
Diehl.
Session E topics covered include: personnel policies and work rules; the
importance of accurate and updated job descriptions; identifying the
true qualifications of the job; interviewing do’s and don’ts; legal
issues to consider during the selection process; orientation tips to
make new employees feel welcome and competent in their position; legal
considerations when termination is necessary; union issues that managers
need to know; union negotiation and bargaining considerations; the
basics of employee insurance benefits; the performance review - why it’s
important and how to do it best; discipline and firing; your utility’s
current safety and regulatory compliance program; and a primer on
Wisconsin Open Records and Open Meetings laws.
The fee for the session will be $225/person, which includes breaks,
lunch and handout materials that will be sent to each registrant prior
to the session.
Individuals wishing to reserve an overnight room should call the Holiday
Inn at 715/486-1500. The Holiday Inn will honor the state rate of $62.
The registration deadline for the Session is Friday, January 25,
2008.
Registration materials were sent out on December 12, 2007. If you need
another copy, visit www.meuw.org/events or
contact MEUW Office Manager Linda Olson (lolson@meuw.org
or call 608/837-2263).
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February 18-22, 2008 in Green Bay
12th Annual MEUW Watthour Meter Workshop
Once again, MEUW is teaming up with Wisconsin Public
Service (WPS) to provide an outstanding meter workshop. The meter is the
utility’s cash register. If mistakes are made in wiring, installing or
testing your meters, your utility can lose income.
The MEUW Watthour Meter Workshop features hands-on training which will
include: choosing the correct meter equipment, installing the equipment,
and verifying that the installation is correct. The WPS facility allows
for meter personnel to work in pairs and perform two meter installations
while WPS’ experienced staff of meter technicians help and check the
installations.
We will once again be offering an optional Introduction to Metering
class on Monday afternoon, February 18. The class is for those attendees
who are new to the metering trade. The attendees of this optional class
will receive a more in depth explanation of meter basics, so that when
attendees start getting into more advanced topics during the rest of the
workshop, they will have a better understanding. The beginners’ class
will not be held if there are less than five registrations, and there
will be an additional fee of $50.
Early registration is recommended. The cost of the four day workshop is
$380. Hotel arrangements have been made at the Howard Johnson Hotel.
Call 920-499-5121 before January 18 and ask for the “MEUW” group
block to get the $69 rate.
Look for the registration packet in early January, or check
www.meuw.org/events.htm for more details. If
you have any further questions, call MEUW Safety Director John Boogren
at 608-837-2263.
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