Calling all Midwest members! We're exploring the formation of an official AAUBA Midwest Chapter covering Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and surrounding states. Initial meeting scheduled for April 16th in Chicago at the Palmer House Hotel. We'll discuss chapter structure, meeting schedules, and regional training opportunities. So far we have interest from WE Energies, ComEd, Ameren, and Xcel Energy territories. Please reply if interested!
Midwest AAUBA Chapter Formation Meeting
Linda, this is fantastic! Chicago works perfectly for me. ComEd territory has some unique billing challenges that would benefit from regular regional discussion. I can bring materials on our recent success with transmission service charge disputes. Are we planning monthly meetings or quarterly?
Count me in! Milwaukee to Chicago is easy. We Energies has been making some interesting rate changes that other Midwest utilities might follow. I'd love to present on the new Schedule Cg-4 modifications and how they're affecting our large commercial clients. What time on the 16th?
Springfield MO checking in! Ameren Missouri territory here. The drive to Chicago isn't too bad and we definitely need more regional coordination. Our clients are getting killed on demand charges and I think sharing strategies across utilities would help everyone. Can we do a conference call option for those who can't travel?
Cincinnati here - technically more East than Midwest but Ohio River valley utilities have a lot in common with your region. Duke Energy Ohio has similar rate structures to some of the Ameren territories. Would love to participate if geography isn't an issue. I can share some successful appeal strategies.
Cecilia, absolutely include Ohio! The more expertise the better. Meeting is set for 10 AM on the 16th, third floor conference room. Elmer, we'll definitely do a call-in option. I'm thinking quarterly in-person meetings with monthly conference calls to keep momentum going.
Should we create an agenda structure? I'm thinking utility-specific updates, recent case studies, regulatory changes, and open forum for questions. ComEd just implemented new time-of-use rates that are causing confusion - could use group input on billing verification strategies.
Yuri's agenda sounds perfect. Mia from Milwaukee here - I can handle meeting coordination and notes if needed. We should also discuss creating a private forum section for Midwest chapter members to share sensitive case details and rate information.
Great idea on the private section. We need somewhere to discuss utility-specific strategies without everything being public. Ameren's been pretty aggressive on demand charge applications lately and I'd love confidential input from the group on pushback techniques.
Excellent suggestions everyone. I'll work with Randy on setting up the private forum section. Final headcount is 23 people confirmed for Saturday. Looking forward to launching what I think will be a very productive regional chapter!
Great meeting yesterday everyone! The case study presentations were incredibly valuable. I'm already implementing some of the demand analysis techniques we discussed with my Duke Energy Ohio accounts. Thanks Linda for organizing and looking forward to our first quarterly meeting in July.
Follow up - just used Yuri's ComEd interval data analysis method on a Cincinnati Duke Energy account and found a $15,000 annual overcharge on coincident peak calculations. This regional collaboration is already paying dividends!