Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for September, 2009

Water conservation rates to be discussed at the September 29 Board Meeting

Monday, September 28th, 2009

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.

New Residential PV System in Rochester

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

 

Curt and Jane Shellum just put up a 2.52 kW system on their Rochester home.  Their system  was designed and installed by Curt Shellum who works for Innovative Power Systems ( http://www.ips-solar.com/) and is composed of 12 x 210 W Sanyo Hit Power N panels for a total of 2.52 kw.  The inverter is a Fronius Ig 3000. 

The panels are connected into the grid and are expected to produce about 3,000 kWh a year which is 50-60% of the home’s annual electric usage.  This percentage could increase as the household completes additional energy efficiancy measures. 

For more information on their system, call Curt at 507-990-1382.  The house will also be featured on the upcoming Solar Tour on Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  To learn more and/or visit area houses featured on the tour follow this link: http://mnrenewables.org/solar-tour

Calling for Nominations!

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Olmsted County and Rochester Public Utilities are seeking nominations for the 2009 Environmental Achievement Awards.  These awards are given to individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made a significant contribution to environmental quality in Olmsted County. 

Nominations are due on or before Friday, October 23, 2009.  To nominate someone please fill out the nomination form and send to Michelle Rysavy at: Rysavy.Michelle@co.olmsted.mn.us or fax to her at 507-328-6728.  The form can be found at: http://www.rpu.org/environment/environmental_awards/Default.htm

Post Bulletin article- SMMPA approves rate increase

Friday, September 11th, 2009

The SMMPA board of directors approved a rate increase of 4 percent for 2010 for its member utilities. Larry Koshire, General Manager of RPU, was one of two who voted against the increase.

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=415425

Geothermal Class- October 13, 2009

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

null

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 RPU geothermal rate and rebate along with the 30% tax credit that is currently available.

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