Proposed 2024 and 2025 budget and rate increase notification
Click link to access full notification https://cms.cws.net/content/rpu.org/files/RPU_2024Rates_4_97x22_5_proof2.pdf
Posted: Sep 27, 2023 by Tony B | Comments Off on Proposed 2024 and 2025 budget and rate increase notification
Water Conservation Efforts Encouraged for all Rochester Residents
Due to drought conditions found in the watershed that Olmsted County is a part of, RPU is asking customers to reduce or restrict water usage. This includes limited irrigation, car washing, and pool filling. Please consider all water conservation efforts when using water.
Posted: Aug 04, 2023 by Tony B | Comments Off on Water Conservation Efforts Encouraged for all Rochester Residents
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) Announces Appointment of Tim McCollough as General Manager
May 16, 2023– ROCHESTER, MINN. – The RPU Board has announced the appointment of Tim McCollough as the incoming General Manager for RPU. Mark Kotschevar, who started with RPU in 1981 and has led RPU since May 1, 2014 and will retire with 42 years of service to the community. McCollough is anticipated to start July 31, 2023.
McCollough most recently served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. Prior to serving Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, he was the Deputy Director of Light and Power Utilities for the City of Fort Collins. McCollough started his career at MidAmerican Energy Company, holding several roles before transitioning to City of Ames Electric where he served as a Power Plant Engineer, Electric Services Operations Superintendent, and Electric Distribution Manager. Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University.
“We were pleased to have many qualified candidates apply for the General Manager position, and Tim stood out in several ways. His impressive work history at multiple utilities will bring new insights and best practices to RPU. The utility industry is undergoing rapid change, and his emphasis on continuous improvement and partnering with others for success will allow RPU to continue to set the standard for service. Finally, his empathetic leadership style with a focus on employee well-being and customer service is integral to our community values and the culture of a hometown utility. We look forward to Tim joining our team,” shares Melissa Johnson, President of the RPU Board.
Key focus areas of the role include:
- Lead and implement a strategic vision and plan for RPU in collaboration with and under the direction of the RPU Board.
- Oversee long term infrastructure planning including generation capacity, amount of purchased power, transmission facilities, electric distribution system, well water capacity, water storage facilities and water distribution system.
- Lead RPU operations in a manner that results in high customer service satisfaction levels, leveraging of resources, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as an RPU and City representative explaining and discussing views, interests and policies to the RPU Board; City Council; state and national organizations
- Provide sound fiscal management of RPU budgets and finances.
McCollough highlights, “I am thrilled to join RPU as the next General Manager. I am deeply impressed by the vision and forward-thinking approach that RPU embodies. The opportunity to engage with the Board of Directors and the employee team during the recruitment process has solidified my belief that RPU and the community are comprised of exceptional individuals who are dedicated to serving the well-being of the community with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Together, we will navigate the evolving challenges in the utility industry and continue to provide the highest level of service to the community of Rochester. I look forward to bringing my family to join the community soon.”
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Posted: May 16, 2023 by Tony B | Comments Off on Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) Announces Appointment of Tim McCollough as General Manager
21st Annual Arbor Day Celebration to be held on April 28th
April 25, 2023- ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), with partners Maier Tree & Lawn, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Sargent’s Gardens will host the 21th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Three Links-Silver Lake Park, located at 840 7th St NE in Rochester.
The fun and free community event will feature a variety of activities, music, and displays that will include: A tree giveaway (while supplies last), a free lunch of hot dogs, corn on the cob, chips, cookies, and soda will be provided (while supplies last). Tree experts will also be on hand to answer questions on tree planting and care, along with many other vendor activities and information.
Children will be able to enjoy the apple toss game, tree cookie stacking, tree ring toss, tree medallion necklaces, and much more!
At noon, an awards ceremony will honor Rochester elementary school students who were selected as finalists of the 2023 Arbor Day poster contest, as well as this year’s overall winner, Sophie Liu, a 5th grader at Washington Elementary. Sophie will receive a $100 Target gift card, her winning poster will be featured in RPU’s 2024 calendar, and a tree will be planted in her honor at Washington Elementary School. This year’s poster contest theme was “Trees Clean the Air We Breathe!”
RPU line crews will also be partnering with Rochester Parks & Recreation on a tree planting for The Right Tree in the Right Place program on Friday, May 5. This is an annual event to plant the proper type of boulevard trees in different neighborhoods in Rochester.
Co-Sponsors of this year’s event include: ArborWise, Hy-Vee, Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center, Minnesota Energy Resources, Pepsi, Sekapp Orchard, and Seneca Foods.
In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Rochester Community & Technical College’s Field House. This announcement will be made on the RPU Facebook (Rochester Public Utilities) and Twitter (@rpualerts) accounts.
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 58,000 customers. Water customers number more than 41,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.
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Posted: Apr 25, 2023 by Tony B | Comments Off on 21st Annual Arbor Day Celebration to be held on April 28th
RPU launching new thermostat program
March 20, 2023- ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is launching a Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) program to help reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand.
RPU’s voluntary demand response program is designed to reward customers for reducing their electricity use during periods of high demand, while helping the environment and reliability of the grid.
Program participation requires customers to agree to brief, limited Peak Savings Events, which adjust their thermostats during peak electric demand periods from May 1 through September 30. Peak demand periods for adjustments typically occur on hot or humid days, but Peak Savings Events may also be called under other circumstances to reduce strain on the grid. Peak Savings Events will not occur on weekends or holidays.
Customers who install qualified smart thermostats will receive a one-time $50 enrollment incentive, in the form of a bill credit, and those that stay enrolled throughout the summer season will receive a year-end $25 bill credit.
“Our new BYOT program is part of RPU’s continuing efforts to take advantage of newer technologies. Smart thermostats are part of a growing number of energy efficiency tools developed in recent years, that can be monitored and controlled remotely by users,” explained by Patty Hanson, Manager of Utility Programs and Services at RPU. “The thermostats have been shown to reduce customer energy bills, and in large numbers, they could significantly reduce electric grid load, especially during hot summer months when air conditioning use is high.”
For additional program information, visit www.rpu.org.
Electronic version of news release can be found here.
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 58,000 customers. Water customers number more than 41,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.
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Posted: Mar 20, 2023 by Tony B | Comments Off on RPU launching new thermostat program