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By all accounts the 2008 Presidential election was nothing short of historic. To no one’s surprise the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation remains unchanged. On the state level, eighteen MEUW communities have a new State Representative and three MEUW communities have a new State Senator for the 2009-10 state legislative session.

The Senate Democrats maintained their 18-15 majority, while the Assembly Democrats now enjoy a 52-46-1 majority in the lower house. In all, 19 new State Legislators (17 Representatives and 2 State Senators) will be sworn in on January 5, 2009 along with their 113 returning colleagues.

Having a majority in one of the legislative houses also means holding a majority of seats on the powerful Joint Finance Committee, and all of the chairs of the standing committees. Needless to say, it helps our communications and advocacy efforts when State Representatives or Senators from Member communities sit in those seats.

MEUW staff will now start meeting with new and veteran legislators as the session begins to inform them about MEUW and our issues of concern. For the 2009-10 biennial legislative session, MEUW will monitor issues such as the $5 billion State budget deficit, climate change legislation wind power siting reform legislation, stray voltage legislation, and others as necessary.

The best way to inform your State Legislators directly is to visit them during the 5th Annual Municipal Utility Legislative Day, set for March 18th in Madison (see story below).

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APPA Washington Report
10 Questions, Two Answers
by Robert Varela, Editor, APPA’s Public Power Weekly

A few simple questions:

1. What is considered the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in response to climate change concerns (or requirements)?

2. Given the current credit crunch and the high cost and difficulty in obtaining credit, not to mention siting and other barriers to construction of new infrastructure, how can a utility buy some time and stretch out its need for new generating capacity?

3. With all too many customers facing layoffs or pay cuts, what can you do to help them deal with rising energy bills?

4. What can a utility do to keep its rates down in the face of rising fuel costs?

5. What services offer a particularly good opportunity for a utility to interact with its customers and earn their good will and support?

6. How have some public power utilities been able to build a power plant without putting any iron in the ground?

7. What’s one way a utility can help attract and retain industrial and commercial customers without lowering its rates?

8. What can make markets operate more efficiently and put competitive pressure on suppliers to reduce wholesale power prices?

9. Why would a utility ever even consider trying to deliberately limit or reduce its sales?

10. Why would a trade association ever even consider trying to help its members limit or reduce their sales?

And the answers:
1. Energy efficiency and conservation.
2. Energy efficiency and conservation.
3. Energy efficiency and conservation.
4. Energy efficiency and conservation.
5. Energy efficiency and conservation.
6. Energy efficiency and conservation.
7. Energy efficiency and conservation.
8. Energy efficiency and conservation.
9. See questions 1-8.
10. See questions 1-8.

Many public power utilities no doubt knew the answers to these questions, in part because public power’s business model is well suited to promoting energy efficiency and conservation. But, as question 8 shows, it is counterintuitive and therefore can be difficult to explain to people (such as a governing board member who’s new to the industry).

APPA has developed a set of tools that utilities can use to help their customers save money and energy. With winter approaching—and costs rising even as the economy is headed downhill—APPA mailed a packet of information about these tools to its member utilities and also posted the information on the association’s recently launched Energy Efficiency Resource Central at www.EERCnet.org. Go to the Web site and scroll down for a new section entitled “Helping Customers Manage High Bills.”

The resources include a checklist of energy-saving measures for the home that cost little or nothing, but that can return real savings on energy bills. There is a separate checklist of energy-saving measures for small businesses. Also included are a fact sheet on why electricity prices are rising; recommendations on how to carry out home energy efficiency makeovers; and a sample news release utilities can use to spread the word about programs they are offering to help customers; as well as a sample letter to the editor utilities can use to educate customers about the causes of rising power prices, the steps the utility is taking to reduce costs, and what customers can do to lower their energy bills.

Look for new information and resources to be added to the Energy Efficiency Resource Central Web site all through the coming year. In addition to the new section on “Helping Customers Manage High Bills,” the site offers a wide variety of resources, including a searchable database of energy efficiency programs and activities at public power utilities across the country. Visit the site early and often.

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February 23-26, 2009 in Washington D.C.
2009 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 2009 APPA Legislative Rally (Feb. 23-26) brings the public power community together to work on federal legislative and regulatory issues that affect the industry.

MEUW and WPPI will 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 members on key messages and on the most effective ways to influence decision-makers and deliver results. By working with our congressional delegation, we will 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, D.C., on Feb. 23-26. For more information visit: www.appanet.org and click on the ‘Events’ tab.

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March 18, 2009 in Madison
5th Annual Municipal Utility Legislative Rally

The fifth annual “Municipal Utility Legislative Day” will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at the Inn on the Park hotel on the Square in Madison. Municipal utility (electric, water, 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.

With the change in Assembly leadership and Energy and Natural Resources Committee membership, March will be the ideal time to visit Madison and learn about the priorities for the 2009-10 State Legislature. Attendees are encouraged to make appointments with their State Legislators in the afternoon on March 18 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 Inn on the Park hotel on March 18 at 8:30 in the morning and find out. Hear from legislative leaders and others about how the 2009-10 State Legislature is shaping up, and how they will prioritize Wisconsin’s issues. Call MEUW Associate Director, Scott Meske (608) 837-2263 for more information or email: smeske@meuw.org.

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Joint Superintendents Conference – Jan. 7-9 in Stevens Point

Mark your calendars for January 7-9, 2009. The MEUW/REC Joint Superintendents Conference will once again be held at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn (1001 Amber Avenue, 715/344-0200). This is the same location as the last two Joint Superintendents Conferences.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, is the day set aside solely for municipal business. The joint portion of the Conference will be on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association will host their annual Trade Show/Reception on Thursday, followed by the Apprentice Graduation Banquet. Municipal utility personnel are invited to attend the MEUW Board of Directors meeting on Friday, Jan. 9.

We have a room block at the Holiday Inn ($89 single or double occupancy) for the Conference and an overflow block for Thursday night only at the Holiday Inn Express ($79 single or double occupancy) across the street.

Folks who are coming in only for Thursday night’s banquet (such as graduates and their families) should book rooms at the Holiday Inn Express. The Holiday Inn Express also offers a free continental breakfast for overnight guests.

Both room blocks expire on December 18. To reserve a room at the Holiday Inn, call 715/344-0200. To reserve a room at the Holiday Inn Express, call 715/344-0000. Be sure to ask for the “Joint Superintendents Conference” block to get the special rate.

Conference registration materials will be sent on December 1 and will also be available on the MEUW website; visit www.meuw.org/events.htm or call MEUW Receptionist Shari Baumann (608/837-2263) if you need another copy. Hope to see you at the conference.

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Cold Weather Comfort Requires Some Common Sense
We Live in Wisconsin! Bundle up!
By Cindy Primeau, MEUW Central Wisconsin Regional Safety Coordinator

Winter weather in Wisconsin can be cruel, between the extreme temperatures, and the winds, snow, and icy conditions. We need to identify the severity of cold weather exposures, manage personal risks, follow specific safety precautions, and be prepared to avoid injuries at work and at home.

The Wisconsin Bureau of State Risk Management reports that 2007-2008 record snowfalls and unusually cold temperatures caused a major increase in slip and fall work injuries to state employees; 178 compared to 80 in 2006-2007.

Contributing to injuries are exposures to humidity and high winds, contact with wetness or metal, inadequate clothing, age, and general health. Cold disorders include hypothermia or localized conditions such as frostbite.

Prevention doesn’t always work--so it’s important to know what to do if you or someone you’re with shows symptoms of potential health hazards related to cold weather.

Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Infants and the elderly are most susceptible to extreme cold. Frostbite occurs when the skin becomes cold enough to actually freeze. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the nose are symptoms of frostbite.

Hypothermia (low body temperature) can occur during longer periods of exposure when the body temperature drops below 95 F. A person may become disoriented, confused, shiver uncontrollably, and experience impaired vision/drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. In severe cases, death is possible. The following common sense tips can help decrease the risk of cold exposure:

DO’s

● Dress for conditions: wear layers of loose fitting clothes (inside: wool or cotton; outside: nylon).

● Cover face (protect your lungs), head, hands, and feet (you lose 40% of body heat from your uncovered head).

● Keep moving in extreme temperatures.

● Drink something warm (avoid caffeine and alcohol).

● Do warm the frozen body part quickly with sheets and blankets or warm (not hot) water.

● WORK IN PAIRS!!!

DON’Ts

● Don’t rub a body part, use a heat lamp or a hot water bottle.

● Don’t go near a hot stove.

● Don’t break any blisters.

● Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol.

Our frequent bursts of unpredictable cold weather in Wisconsin often include icy and freezing conditions. Just getting out of your house can be a challenge. Before venturing out, try these safety tips:

● Listen to TV and radio weather reports.

● Observe areas, check walkways for ice covered by snow.

● Wear appropriate footwear (boots, shoes with tread).

● Move slowly.

“The Frozen Tundra” might sound neat in the media, but in reality it can cause many problems for those who aren’t properly prepared. With some simple, common sense precautions, you will be safer and more secure during winter months.

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Retired New Holstein Manager Ernie Dyer Passes Away at Age 81

Ernie Dyer, former Manager of the New Holstein Utility Department, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 15 at his cabin in Carney, Michigan. He was 81 years old. Ernie was active in the formation of WPPI and was also very active in MEUW, serving as President in fiscal year 1969-70.

Ernie was born August 18, 1927, in Los Angeles and served in the U.S. Army Air Force following World War II. He worked for the New Holstein Utility Department for 33 years, from 1956 until his retirement as Superintendent in 1989.

He was active in the New Holstein community as a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, the St. Vincent De Paul Society, and American Legion Post 124. He was also a former member of the New Holstein Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife, Dianna, six children, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, four stepchildren, eight stepgrandchildren, a brother and a sister. Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife, Theresa, and his second wife, Margaret.

A memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein. Military rites conducted by the New Holstein American Legion Post 124 followed the services. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his name. The Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein is assisting the family.

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