Chubbs, a 5-month-old pug from Milwaukee, is our new ambassadog! His owners say he’s always on the move and loves getting into trouble. Now he’ll help keep our customers out of trouble by starring in a new ad to promote safe digging:
Chubbs’ ad will be on display at Energy Park at the Wisconsin State Fair. Stop by to see it and get your picture taken!
He’ll also be featured on digital billboards in the Milwaukee area on 811 day – Sunday, Aug. 11. 811 is the number to call at least three days before you dig. A utility locating service will come out to mark the locations of underground utilities on your property for free.
Whether you’re planting a tree, installing fence posts or digging for other reasons, you could be putting yourself in danger if you strike an underground natural gas or electric line. So listen to Chubbs and doggone it, call 811 before you dig!
Reliable electric service is a priority for everyone. However, power outages may occur for various reasons, such as weather, equipment failures, car-pole accidents, etc. Portable generators provide significant benefits when used properly.
Here are some safety tips for installing and operating portable electric generators:
The portable electric generator should be the correct size, with a slightly larger output than the power level needed to operate all the equipment that is connected to it. The generator and connected equipment can be damaged if an inappropriately sized generator is used.
Do not connect a portable generator directly to a building’s wiring or plug the generator into an electrical outlet. This will cause a “backfeed” condition where the power from the generator will flow through the building’s wiring and onto the utility distribution system. This is extremely dangerous to utility line mechanics when repairing downed power lines, as they will be unaware of any “live” wires. In addition, when power is restored, it can feed directly into the portable generator, causing severe damage to the generator and any appliances plugged into it. In order to prevent backfeed or equipment damage when power is restored, have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch to isolate the building wiring from the utility distribution system.
Use properly sized and rated power cords to connect equipment to the portable generator. Use heavy duty, outdoor-rated, grounded extension cords that are in good operating condition.
Never operate a generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed area. The generator uses an internal combustion engine and emits potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Make sure the generator is vented properly in a well ventilated outdoor area.
Never refuel an operating or hot generator. Gasoline spilled on a hot engine could ignite. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher near the generator.
Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
Portable generators are a great convenience but, like any piece of equipment, present many safety hazards. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely to ensure your generator is maintained and operated in a safe and proper manner.
We are continuing to recover from some of the most
powerful storms to hit central and eastern Wisconsin in the past 20 years. Winds
above 80 miles an hour caused extensive damage to our networks in the Fox Valley.
Thanks to the hard work of the field and support personnel, we have restored power to more than 95,000 customers.
We have a small army of field personnel working on restoration. Additional crews are arriving today. We expect to have almost all customers in the Appleton and Waupaca areas back in service by late Tuesday.
We thank our customers for their patience and our crews appreciate the prayers for their safety that have also been conveyed in calls and social media messages.
We remind people who come across downed power lines and damaged utility equipment to call 800‑662‑4797 immediately.
Voting is underway to select the next star of our safe
digging campaign. The winner will help us promote an important safety message:
Doggone It! Call 811 at least three days before you dig.
Ten finalists have been selected from dozens of photos sent
in by We Energies customers. Now you can vote for your “top dog”
through July 25.
Tyson is a 4-year-old Westie Highland terrier from Franklin. His owners say it’s hard to get mad at such a sweet face, even if he’s digging where he shouldn’t.
Sully is a Great Pyrenees from Campbellsport. His owner says digging is his passion.
Kaiser is from St. Francis. His owner calls him pure perfection.
Theo, a 2-year-old German shorthaired pointer from Wauwatosa, loves anything and everything outdoors.
Holly, a 13-year-old greyhound from Waukesha, loves digging so much, her owners gave her a designated digging spot.
Zeus, a 1-year-old boxer from Sussex, enjoys running laps around the yard and digging.
Simba is 2 years old and lives in Kenosha. His owner says he is very proud of the holes he digs and a great help in the garden.
Chubbs, a 5-month-old pug from Milwaukee, loves getting into trouble and is always on the move.
Bea is a 3-year-old beagle from Hartford. Her owners say she loves to dig.
Gunnar, from Grand Chute, is happiest spending time with his family and loves camping.
The winning dog will be featured in a safe digging billboard
blitz Sunday, Aug. 11 – 811 Day. His or her owners will also receive tickets to
the Wisconsin State Fair where they can see their dog’s face on display at
Energy Park, a special section of State Fair where you can learn more about We
Energies and enjoy some free family fun.
About 811
Whether you’re planting a tree or installing a fence post,
you could be putting yourself in danger if you strike an underground natural
gas line or electrical cable. Call 811 at least three days before
you dig to have the location of buried utility lines marked – and to keep you
and your family safe.
To help you stay on the sunny side of life, we have some tips to help you save money on your summer energy bill.
No cost
Keep the sun out. Close blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home during the day to keep the house cooler.
Adjust your thermostat. When at home, set it a few degrees higher to save energy. When you are away, adjust your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher than your normal setting for at least 8 hours a day. This can help you save 10% on your energy bill.
Manage your energy costs with Budget Billing. Budget Billing spreads your annual charges more evenly over 12 months.
Turn down the heat by delaying heat-producing activities such as cooking, drying and ironing until evenings or when the weather cools.
Leave thermostat’s fan switch on “auto” so the fan only runs when the furnace runs. Setting the fan to “on” causes it to run all the time.
Low cost
Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and siding with caulk and weather stripping. This keeps cool air in and hot air out.
Use standing fans, even if you have air conditioning. Circulating cool air makes it feel cooler.
Install a programmable thermostat for your comfort and convenience. It can adjust the air conditioning for times you typically are away and times you typically are home. You also can program it to reduce cooling when you go to sleep and turn it back up before you wake up in the morning.
Schedule regular tune-ups for your air conditioner. Seasonal maintenance keeps equipment running safely and efficiently, and saves money in the long run.
We Energies and RENEW Wisconsin are pleased to announce a
settlement agreement with two important provisions regarding solar energy and customer-owned
generation.
With the agreement, We Energies will no longer pursue a
solar fixed-cost recovery charge as part of its rate review with the Public
Service Commission of Wisconsin, and RENEW Wisconsin agrees to support an
upcoming We Energies utility-scale solar project.
The two parties also agree to collaborate in a series of
good-faith discussions for at least the next two years with the goal of finding
potential areas of agreement on renewable energy and distributed generation as We
Energies continues the transition to a clean energy future.
We’re looking for an adorable ambassaDOG to star in this year’s safe digging campaign. Your dog can help us spread an important safety message: Doggone it! Call 811 three days before you dig.
Here’s what you need to do:
1.Take a picture of your dog digging.
2.Click here to submit one photo before July 19.
Note:
•You must be a We Energies customer to participate.
•No blurry pictures, please. Send us a high-quality image of your pooch!
Once we narrow it down to the finalists, you’ll be able to vote for your favorite dog July 19 through 25. The winning dog will be featured in an ad unveiled at We Energies’ Energy Park at the Wisconsin State Fair; the proud owners will win tickets to see it.
About 811
Whether you’re planting a tree or installing a fence post, you could be putting yourself in danger if you strike an underground natural gas line or electrical cable. Call 811 at least three days before you dig to have the location of buried utility lines marked – and to keep you and your family safe.
It’s safe to say this was not the usual call for help We
Energies troubleshooter Rick Guetzke gets.
“It was flopping around a little bit, and I asked the
wildlife rehabilitation person what I should do,” Guetzke said.
Guetzke was called to a county road in the town of Jackson
in Washington County to help a red-tailed hawk that was stuck in a power line
35 feet off the ground. Guetzke de-energized the line and, with advice from
Wanakia Wildlife’s rehabilitation expert Marty Thompson, freed the bird’s stuck
talon.
“He was able to throw a blanket over the bird and get her
down, and once he got her down I pretty much whisked her away,” Thompson said.
After its rescue, Dr. Molly Lien of Brook-Falls Veterinary
Hospital worked with Thompson to assess the bird’s condition.
“In the case
of this red-tailed hawk, she had pretty significant wounds on one of her legs,
so we had to do a few surgeries to close those wounds and get them to heal
properly,” Lien said.
The hawk
spent her time at Wanakia Wildlife as her injuries healed.
After eight weeks of recovery, the hawk was ready to leave. Those who were involved in the rescue and rehabilitation process gathered
June 27at the spot where the bird was found and watched her fly
away.
Guetzke, Thompson and Lien
“It felt really like I did something special, that the hawk
was able to go back and enjoy the life it should,” Guetzke said.
“They’re
heroes,” said Thompson of Guetzke, Lien and the sheriff who responded to the
call and stayed there until the hawk was brought down from the power line. “It
took everybody to all work together for the cause of one bird to get her back
out. It is just amazing.”
We are looking to make it easier and less expensive
for electric vehicle (EV) owners to power up by offering rebates of up to
$1,000 to residential customers who install EV chargers at their homes.
The proposed EV pilot program is part of our rate filing
with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. On top of the rebate, the
program will also let EV owners take advantage of time-of-use rates for charging
their vehicles at home. Time-of-use rates mean customers can charge their
vehicles overnight at a lower rate, when there is less demand. The remainder of
customer electric usage will still be billed at the traditional residential
rate.
EVs are a small but rapidly growing transportation option. A recent report finds that the number of EVs on U.S. roads is projected to reach
more than 18 million in 2030.
“This pilot program lets us study the impact electric vehicles will have
on our power system,” said Tom Metcalfe – president of We Energies. “As more
EVs are bought and charged, this will help us better understand the impact on
power generation and distribution.”
The EV pilot program is another way we are promoting environmental stewardship. From restoring natural habitats and helping
endangered animals to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon
emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.
