Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for January, 2009

What working together accomplished in 2008! Thank you!

Friday, January 30th, 2009

By working with local businesses and organizations in 2008, we were able to reduce electric consumption by over 13 million kilowatt-hours. See the full listing on the ad below, and look for it in the January 31 edition of the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Contact RPU today to see how your business or organization can start saving energy and money in 2009!

RPU Co-Sponsoring Solar Class in February

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

RPU will be co-sponsoring a community education class entitled, “Solar Systems: Options, Economics, and Rebates on Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 10AM to 12PM at the Northrop Community Center.

The class will provide an overview of different heating and electric solar systems along with their costs and expected energy savings. Find out what to look for when purchasing equipment, selecting contractors, and dealing with code issues. The MN state rebate, utility contracts, and the new 30% Federal tax credit will be explained. The instructor, from Best Power International, has over 25 years of experience in the solar industry in Minnesota and will be able to answer all of your questions.

The cost of the class is $9.00 and to sign up please go to the community education website:

http://activenet2.active.com/rochesterce/

16 years of Recognizing Environmental Achievements in the Community

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) and the Olmsted County Environmental Commission announces the recipients of the 2008 Environmental Achievement Awards.  The recipients were recognized at an awards banquet last night at the Rochester Golf and Country Club. The awards honor individuals, families, youth, organizations, or businesses that have made a significant contribution in 2008 towards environmental quality in any of the following categories: renewable efforts, conservation, energy, water, agriculture, education, and other.

 

 

The 2008 recipients are:

 

1. Autumn Ridge Church

2. Hadley Valley Partners of Rochester

3. Global Action

4. Earth Community Coalition

5. The Nelson Companies/Stonybrook Builders

6. Olmsted County Solar Initiative

7. Greg Thompson

8. Joel Dunnette

 

Click here for more information on the Environmental Achievement Awards and to view more pictures of the 2008 award banquet

 

 

Frost line dips to near five feet deep in places throughout town

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

When the frost lines gets to where it is now, it can mean only one thing- conditions are right for freezing water mains and water services to the house. Those customers who have experienced frozen water services in the past, or who know their service is susceptible to freezing, should begin monitoring the temperature and condition of their water.

Taking your water’s temperature and making sure it looks “healthy,” are simple ways to avoid a costly problem. If the water temperature reaches 35° Fahrenheit, or if water sporadically appears rusty, then the water service could be in danger of freezing.

To reduce the possibility of a water service giving in to the cold weather, let a tap or faucet flow continuously with the water stream about as wide as a pencil lead. This will allow about one-quarter gallon per minute to run through the pipes in a home, thus reducing the likelihood of a freeze-up of the water service. This step may also prevent the freezing of sewer services.

The cost of constantly running one-quarter gallon per minute is about $10.30 per month, osta viagra netistä. Customers who turn on their water for this purpose should call RPU at 280-1500 to discuss the increased water usage.

Customers who live in mobile homes should consider an alternative to preventing frozen services, since a small stream of water may cause sewer pipes to freeze. Adding insulation and/or heat tape to the water pipe may be a more effective solution.

2009 electric and water rates available

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

On January 1, 2009 the new RPU electric and water rates took effect. Contact RPU customer service at 507-280-1500 for more information.