June 9-11, 2010 in Green Bay
81st MEUW Annual Conference a Success

Nearly 100 public power managers, commissioners, mayors and others gathered in Green Bay June 9-11 for MEUW’s 81st Annual Conference. This year’s theme was ‘The Politics of Public Power’ and presenters emphasized some of the political issues facing public power in the coming years.

On Wednesday, pre-conference activities included a visit to the Point Beach Energy Center and a special reception in the Packer Hall of Fame. The highlight of the evening was the appearance by Packer great, Santana Dotson who chatted with attendees and posed for photos. A special thanks to our Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association (WUSA) for helping sponsor the events.

Thursday’s program consisted of presentations touching on transmission projects, federal energy and climate change legislation, and the politics of nuclear power. WPPI Energy CEO Roy Thilly, after receiving the MEUW Donald Smith Distinguished Service Award, encouraged public power utilities to continue to work together to tackle industry challenges they face in the future.

After the traditional WUSA reception and Trade Show, the MEUW Annual Awards Banquet was held. Former Hartford Mayor Scott Henke received the Philip LaFollette Public Official Award, and Cedarburg Commissioner Charlie Bradburn was awarded the APPA Spence Vanderlinden award from APPA Senior VP Joe Nipper.

Make plans to join us in Appleton on June 8-10, 2011 for MEUW’s 82nd Annual Conference!

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Record Ten Teams Compete in Little Chute
5th Annual MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo Highlights Mutual Aid Training

The 5th annual 2010 MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo, hosted by Kaukauna Utilities and held in Little Chute on Friday, June 18th, was a great success! The structure of the event was a mutual aid training exercise to test the skills of the three-man teams with an emphasis on job layout and teamwork. In addition to the mutual aid team build, a pole top rescue exercise was performed by teams.

There was a record 10 three-man teams registered. The teams consisted of: Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative & Reedsburg Electric Utility; Fennimore Municipal Utilities, Boscobel Utilities & Wisconsin Rapids WW&LC; Kaukauna Utilities Team 1; Kaukauna Utilities Team 2; Oconomowoc Utilities & Cedarburg Light & Water; Sauk City Utilities & Vanguard Electric; Stoughton Utilities; Sturgeon Bay Utilities & Manitowoc Public Utilities; and Two Rivers Water & Light.

The day concluded with the Awards Banquet at the 5th Quarter Restaurant. Participants and teams were recognized for Team Pole Top Rescue - 1st - 3rd place; Mutual Aid Challenge - 1st - 5th place; Total Overall Score and Individual Pole Top Rescue.

For a complete listing of the final results and photos of the event, please visit www.meuw.org. Congratulations to all of the participants in this year’s Rodeo! A special thanks to all of the many volunteers who assisted with the day’s events and to our WUSA Member Sponsors and other generous Sponsors.

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Forty-eighth MEUW Member to turn 100
Sun Prairie Utilities Celebrates 100 Years!

In recognition of its 100 Anniversary this year, Sun Prairie Water & Light has a new name, Sun Prairie Utilities! And on Saturday, June 5, Sun Prairie Utilities treated its customers to a day-long celebration, complete with utility bucket rides, activities for children, information booths and a cookout. Among those present were: David J. Benforado, Executive Director, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin; Larry Bocock, former General Manager, Sun Prairie Water & Light (1985-2007); Mike Stuart, Executive Vice President, WPPI Energy; Representative Gary Hebl, 46th Assembly District, Sun Prairie; Rick Wicklund, Utility Manager, Sun Prairie Utilities; Donald Foulke, former Commissioner, Sun Prairie Water & Light (1978-1981); Glen Fenske, former Commissioner, Sun Prairie Water & Light (1988-2008); and Hariah Hutkowski, Sun Prairie City Council appointee to Commission (2010-present).

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WPPI Energy Dedicates Renovated, Expanded Facility

Representatives from the 51 community-owned member electric utilities of WPPI Energy were on hand May 21, 2010 to celebrate the dedication of the nonprofit power supplier’s recently renovated and expanded office and operations facility.

The building was designed to achieve “Gold” certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. WPPI Energy’s facility is anticipated to be the first LEED Gold certified building in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

"The decision to build this new facility with a focus on sustainability demonstrates the commitment of WPPI Energy’s member utilities to serve as models for energy efficiency and conservation,” said Dale Lythjohan, Chair of the WPPI Energy Board of Directors and
General Manager of Cedarburg (Wisconsin) Light & Water Utility, during the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony.

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June 10, 2010
2009 MEUW Safety Achievement Awards Presented

MEUW’s Safety Achievement Award Program recognizes Members who achieve and maintain good safety records, take pro-active measures (e.g., safety training attendance, weekly safety meetings, etc.) and encourage a culture of safety in their daily operations. In 1999, 10 MEUW Members applied for recognition, and this year a record 60 Member utilities applied for, with 47 receiving, the MEUW Safety Achievement Award.

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