If you’ve been out to Foster Arends Park lately, you’ve seen the dirt moving and the flags posted marking the north part of the property for the geo lake plate installation. When completed, the geo system will be capable of transfering up to 3 million BTU’s (energy) through the mixture of water and 30% propelyne glycol running through 30 exchange plates submerged in the lake. This is enough energy to provide heating and cooling for the new Rochester Public Works Transit Operations Center and the exisiting RPU Service Center.

One of the sets of the lake plates

A more efficient and environmentally friendly means of heating and cooling, the geo lake plate system will save the city of Rochester a substantial amount of energy and money each year of operation.

The lake plates have to be pulled to a designated location in the lake for a proper depth and year round temperature

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) and Warners’ Stellian have extended their partnership to help save you money on Energy Star appliances. Now through December 31, 2009, when you purchase new ENERGY STAR® appliances at Warners’ Stellian, RPU will not only give you a rebate on your purchase, but for a limited time, Warners’ Stellian is also offering a $25 BONUS REBATE!

And because ENERGY STAR® products are up to 50% more efficient than standard models, you’ll continue to save money on your utility bills, and the energy you save will help our environment by using less of our valuable natural resources, indian tadalafil.

Download the complete brochure for details.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

october 1, 2009

CONTACT:        Tony Benson

                        Communications Coordinator

                        507-280-1534

                        tbenson@rpu.org

RPU announces events to celebrate Public Power Week, October 4-10

ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) will celebrate Public Power Week by helping to build a local home with the Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity (RAHH), along with holding other special events throughout the week.

Public Power Week is a week for communities to celebrate the benefits of having a public power provider. As a public power provider, RPU is very active in helping the local community through organizations such as the RAHH.

On October 7 and 9 from 11- 1 p.m., RPU will have an informational booth set up at University Square with information on Conserve & Save rebate offerings and Public Power. In addition to the information available, a limited number of compact fluorescent light bulbs will be given away.

RPU will also reach out to the community by opening its doors to the Silver Lake Plant for tours of the facility and the new emission reduction project. Tours will be on October 8 and 9 from 1-2 p.m. and will be approximately one hour. If you are interested in a tour contact Tony Benson at RPU at 507-280-1534 or email at tbenson@rpu.org. Space is limited and you must be signed-up prior to the tour.

“Public Power Week is a time for us to make a special effort to connect with our customers and the community. We strongly encourage the community to come out and see the benefits of having a public power provider and to celebrate Public Power Week with us,” said Larry Koshire, RPU General Manager.

For more information on RPU and the Public Power Week events, please visit the RPU web site at www.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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RPU is cosponsoring a community education class on residential geothermal heating and cooling on Tuesday, OCtober 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The class will provide you with geothermal basics: what it does and how it works and how the the technology uses the ground as a heating and cooling source.  Whether you are building a new home or considering a new heating and cooling system for your present one, consider the economical and environmental advantages of geothermal technology.  The class will also discuss the 30% tax credit that is currently available for Geothermal installations.

To sign up for the class visit the Rochester Community Education website: http://activenet6.active.com/rochesterce/

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the RPU booth at the Folwell Elementary Wellness Night and took the RPU drinking water taste test.

Taste Test Results

Question 1- Which sample looks clearer?
Sample ‘A’- 32%
Sample ‘B’- 24%
Can’t see a difference- 44%

Question 2- Which sample tastes better?
Sample ‘A’- 56%
Sample ‘B’- 34%
Can’t taste a difference- 10%

Sample ‘A’ was RPU tap water
Sample ‘B’ was bottled water

More information on RPU drinking water quality