Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program Kicks Off for Second Year in Southern Minnesota
The Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program, servicing Austin Utilities (AU), Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU), and Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), is back by popular demand. The program, which had an incredible response during 2011, is set to begin May 15 and will continue through October 31, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.
Through this program, which is managed by a local Minnesota based company Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA), participating utility customers who turn in operating but energy inefficient secondary refrigerators and freezers will be eligible for a $35 incentive for each qualifying appliance, with a maximum of two units per program life. ARCA will perform the in-home collection of qualifying refrigerators and freezers and properly recycle the units locally in Minnesota.
“Our goal is to continue to improve energy efficiency in Rochester by encouraging our customers to remove spare, working refrigerators and freezers from service while also offering a value service and a $35 incentive”, says Stephanie Humphrey, RPU Residential Account Representative. “Recycling appliances leads to a reduction in both energy consumption and emissions of ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases.”
In order to qualify, the refrigerator or freezer must be 10-30 cubic feet, operating secondary unit, in working (cooling) order, and owned by an RPU customer with a valid account number. The appliance will be picked up, free of charge, inside the customer’s home from the address listed on the billing account.
To participate in the program, please call 1-877-341-2259 or visit www.rpu.org.
About ARCA
ARCA (www.ARCAInc.com), one of the nation’s largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, currently provides services for 200 utilities in the U.S. and Canada. Toxic chemicals and environmentally harmful materials such as ozone-depleting refrigerants, PCBs, mercury and oil are carefully recovered in the decommissioning process for recycling, destruction or disposal, preventing them from contaminating soil, air and water resources. The Company is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap.
About Rochester Public Utilities
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 47,000 customers. Water customers number more than 36,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include energy and water education, renewable generation, and smart grid applications.
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Posted: May 15, 2012 by Tony B | Comments (0)
Hydrant Flushing Routes Starting May 3rd
Rochester Public Utilities will be flushing fire hydrants in the areas mapped below (within the red area) between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for approximately two weeks, beginning May 3rd. Fire hydrants are flushed to remove mineral deposits and sediment from the water mains and to ensure proper operation for fire protection.
During hydrant flushing operations, it is not unusual for customers to experience rusty water, and or pressure changes. Rusty water does not pose a health issue, but may affect the aesthetic quality of the water. Customers are encouraged to check their water for discoloration prior to using hot water or doing laundry, as rusty water may stain clothing. If rusty water is present, customers should flush their household plumbing by opening cold water taps and flushing until clear. Outdoor watering or using exterior hose outlets can also flush customer piping while still using water efficiently.
If you do experience any clothing staining, rust remover is available free of charge and can be delivered to you by calling RPU at 507-280-1500.
Posted: May 04, 2012 by Tony B | Comments (0)
RPU to Expand Home Energy Report Program
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) today announced that it is expanding its Home Energy Report program to all residential electric customers. The program, which has been piloted to 25,000 RPU customers, is now available to all residential electric customers.
The Home Energy Reports program is designed to help customers better assess their electric consumption, and most importantly, find additional ways to lower monthly bills by reducing energy use. Customers will receive the reports monthly, via both traditional mail and through an online web portal.
RPU has been running this program since 2010 and has found that customers save on average 2.1% on their monthly electricity bills. The program has helped save RPU customers over 6,758 MWh of energy, over $650,000 on their electricity bills.
“We are excited to provide this service to all of our residential customers,” said RPU General Manager Larry Koshire. “Through the expansion of the Home Energy Reports program, RPU strives to continue to display our commitment to providing our customers with the information and insights needed to reduce energy usage and monthly bills.”
Developed by Opower, the Home Energy Reports combine behavioral science with cutting-edge data analytics to provide customers with detailed information and insights on their household energy usage. The reports include usage history comparisons, goal setting tools, and progress trackers. Through the program’s online portal, customers can further interact with their energy usage information, review a larger library of additional efficiency tips, conduct an automated 30-second home energy audit, develop a savings plan, and more. In addition to the Home Energy Reports, Opower also provides a social application called Opower Social for users to share their energy usage and savings through social media channels such as Facebook. All of these features are designed to help customers actively engage with their energy information and make smarter choices about their energy use.
The Home Energy Reports program has been successfully deployed at numerous utilities across North America, delivering between 1.5 and 3.5 percent in average energy savings to customers. To date, the Home Energy Reports program has saved American families and businesses over $90M on their energy bills and later this year will hit 1TWh of energy savings, enough to remove 100,000 households from the grid.
About Rochester Public Utilities
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 49,000 customers. Water customers number more than 37,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.
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Posted: May 03, 2012 by Tony B | Comments (0)
10th Annual Arbor Day Celebration to be held on April 27
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), with partners Maier Forest and Tree and Rochester Park and Recreation, will host the 10th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to1 p.m. at Mayo Park behind the Mayo Civic Center.
The fun and free community event will feature a variety of activities and displays that will include: A tree giveaway of over 3,000 trees, a free lunch of hot dogs, corn on the cob, chips, cookies, and soda will be provided (while supplies last), and live music from Paul Mayasich and his band, Real American Made Music. Tree experts will also be on hand to answer questions on tree planting and care, along with many other vendor displays.
Children will be able to enjoy Smokey Bear, balloonists, a scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos, bean bag toss, and much more!
At noon, an awards ceremony will honor the Rochester elementary school student that won this year’s Arbor Day poster contest. This year’s winner is Sarah Brewer, a fourth grader at Folwell Elementary. Sarah will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond, her winning poster will be featured in advertising, and a tree will be planted in her honor at Folwell Elementary School.
Co-Sponsors of this year’s event include: Hy-Vee, People’s Energy Cooperative, Sargent’s Gardens, and Seneca Foods.
Participants include: Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, Minnesota Energy Resources, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District, RNeighbors, Rochester Public Works, University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point, Zumbro Valley Audubon, and Zumbro Valley Woodland Council.
In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Graham Arena 2 at Rochester Graham Park.
Posted: Apr 26, 2012 by Tony B | Comments (0)
Hydrant Flushing Routes Starting April 26th
Rochester Public Utilities will be flushing fire hydrants in the areas mapped below (within the red area) between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for approximately two weeks, beginning April 26th . Fire hydrants are flushed to remove mineral deposits and sediment from the water mains and to ensure proper operation for fire protection.
During hydrant flushing operations, it is not unusual for customers to experience rusty water, and or pressure changes. Rusty water does not pose a health issue, but may affect the aesthetic quality of the water. Customers are encouraged to check their water for discoloration prior to using hot water or doing laundry, as rusty water may stain clothing. If rusty water is present, customers should flush their household plumbing by opening cold water taps and flushing until clear. Outdoor watering or using exterior hose outlets can also flush customer piping while still using water efficiently.
If you do experience any clothing staining, rust remover is available free of charge and can be delivered to you by calling RPU at 507-280-1500.
Posted: Apr 26, 2012 by Tony B | Comments (0)