Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), along with Austin Utilities and Owatonna Public Utilities, will launch new rebate offerings under the Conserve & Save program for water efficient appliances and equipment beginning on April 1. Rebates will range from $4 up to $200 depending on the equipment and will be available to both residential and commercial customers.

Along with the approval of the water conservation rate structure at the February Utility Board meeting, the RPU Board also asked for a water conservation program offering rebates and ongoing education for water conservation and efficiency. The water efficiency rebate program will offer rebates to residential customers on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers, high-efficiency toilets, rain barrels, and rotating sprinkler nozzles. Commercial customers can take advantage of the residential water rebate offerings along with the rebates specifically for commercial customers such as pre-rinse spray valves, large rotating sprinkler nozzles, ultra low water urinals, and zero water urinals.

“Although we are mandated by the state of Minnesota to implement rates for water conservation, we feel that offering rebates to customers to conserve water by making water efficient purchases is the right thing to do. We have seen great success in our energy conservation offerings and hope to mirror that with our new water conservation offerings,” said Larry Koshire, RPU General Manager.

For more information on water rebates please visit the Conserve and Save section here.

After much deliberation, discussion, and feedback the RPU Utility Board will be making a decision on the water conservation rates on February 23. The three block rate system was the favored choice. If approved, the final approval will have to be made by the Rochester City Council on March 1. The new rates will then go into effect on April 1. For more information on water conservation rates and how they may affect you, follow the link to the water conservation rate web page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

october 23, 2009

CONTACT:             Tony Benson

                                Communications Coordinator

                                507-280-1534

                                tbenson@rpu.org

RPU to continue listening to customers input on water conservation rates

ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) continues to seek customer input on the proposed water conservation rates that will be going into effect in 2010. During the October Utility Board meeting on October 27, there will be an open comment period available for customers to provide input to staff and the Board on the rates and rate structure.

Reasons why RPU is working to implement the new water conservation rates are because of RPU’s dedication to be good stewards of the environment and because of the new Minnesota state statute that requires water utilities to implement a water conservation rate. The rate structure will be chosen by the Utility Board based on customer input, an independent cost of service study, and financial impact on all customer classes that meet the state’s conservation goal(s).

The study develops the revenue requirements for providing water service based on class of customer and the demand that each type of customer places on the system.  As a community owned utility, RPU rates are designed to charge only to supply the service. RPU does not anticipate a change in the overall revenue for the water utility, but will see a change in the fixed charges and the commodity charges by customer class and type of use.

Based on the study, there are three types of conservation rates being proposed.

·          Inclining block rates- An inclining block rate sets a threshold for customer’s usage. Up to a certain level of usage will cost customers a lower rate per unit, but above the threshold the rate per unit goes up for the higher usage.

·          Seasonal rates regardless of the type of customer- Rates would be set depending on what time of the year the water is used. There would be an off-peak (winter) and an on-peak (summer) usage rate per unit. During on-peak months, the cost per unit would be higher than off-peak months. This would apply to all customer classes.

·          Seasonal rates based on customer class- This rate structure would be a seasonal on-peak and off-peak rate, but the cost per unit would vary depending on the customer class.

“Water is a very precious commodity and is only going to remain plentiful if we all work to conserve it. We understand that pricing changes in order to incent conservation is a new approach. By listening to our customers and using the data from the cost of service study, we will be equipped to present the Utility Board with the best information available so that they can make an informed decision,” said Larry Koshire, RPU General Manager.

Pricing impact to customers will differ depending on the rate structure and water usage. Timing for a decision on a rate structure and when the new rate structure will go into place is still being determined by RPU staff and the Utility Board.

An open comment period will be available for customers to speak with the RPU Utility Board at the October Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 27 at 4p.m. at the RPU Service Center.

For more information on RPU or on the water conservation rates, please contact Tony Benson at 507-280-1534 or email at tbenson@rpu.org.

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 fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

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Public input is being sought regarding water conservation rates at the September 29 RPU Board Meeting. If you wish to address the Board, please plan to arrive early and sign in on the public comment board available by the door.  The meeting is open to the public and starts at 4 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2009

CONTACT:        Tony Benson

                        Communications Coordinator

                        507-280-1534

                        tbenson@rpu.org

RPU to Study Water Conservation Rates

ROCHESTER, MN— RPU is currently conducting a study to implement water conservation rates. Conservation rates are put into place to encourage people to use water wisely.  The focus of the study will be on residential customers and creating an equitable manner to provide water for purposes of sustaining health and welfare benefits, at the same time discouraging wasteful use of water. 

In addition to establishing the water conservation rates, the study will provide guidance on educational programs to help customers reduce water consumption and rebate programs to replace inefficient water appliances.  Recently, RPU has partnered with Olmsted County to provide a rain barrels to residents to be used for gardening and lawn applications.  Programs like this will be introduced for consideration for the future conservation program.

“Communities throughout Minnesota have been implementing water conservation rates due to the legislature requiring conservation rates,” said Jerry Williams, RPU Board President.  “RPU is implementing the water conservation rates not only because it is the law but because it aligns with one of RPU’s core values of stewardship.”

For a complete background on the new water conservation rates, please reference Minnesota Statutes section 103G.291 subd. 3 and 4.

The first presentation of the water conservation study and proposed rate structures will be held at the September 29, 2009, RPU Board Meeting.  The meetings are at 4:00 pm at the RPU Service Center and are open to the public.

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 fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

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