ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) and the Olmsted County Environmental Commission announce the recipients of the 2009 Environmental Achievement Awards.  The recipients will be recognized at an awards banquet January 21 at the Rochester Golf and Country Club. The awards honor individuals, families, youth, organizations, or businesses that have made a significant contribution in 2009 towards environmental quality in any of the following categories: renewable efforts, conservation, energy, water, agriculture, education, and other.

The 2009 recipients are:

Maggie Herman- Quarry Hill Volunteerism

IBM Corporation- Wildlife at Work Program

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee-Downtown Bicycle Study

Sontes Restaurant- Green Business Practices

Christine Schultz- Energy

Boulder Dam Canoe & Kayak Rental- Adopt-a-River Program

Bamber Valley Elementary- Science Olympiad “Our Human Footprint”

Lisa Boardman- Renewables

“This year’s recipients represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the local environment. Through recognition of their efforts, we hope to further awareness and participation in positive environmental efforts in Rochester and Olmsted County.” said Sara Gimberline from Rochester Public Utilities.

For more information on energy conservation or the Environmental Achievement Awards visit 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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The RPU Service Center will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Service Center will be open again on Tuesday with normal business hours.

As always, payments can be dropped off at the Service Center in the outside drop box. Payments can also be made online through the RPU Online Access Center. View your bills, make payments, and much more.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Trade-in & Save Appliance Program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will offer approximately 25,450 Minnesota homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying ENERGY STAR model purchased from a Minnesota retailer.  Rebates are not retroactive for purchases made outside the program timeframe of March 1^st – March 31^st, 2010 and this rebate does not apply to commercial endeavors including rental properties.

Minnesota’s allocation of $5,009,000 includes rebates on:

• 6,035 clothes washers ($200 rebate)
• 6,005 dishwashers ($150 rebate)
• 1,999 freezers ($100 rebate with purchase and proof of recycling; $50 for purchase only)
• 11,411 refrigerators ($200 rebate with purchase and proof of recycling; $100 for purchase only) 

Homeowners will be limited to one rebate for a single appliance purchase (maximum of $200 per household).  Once a reservation for a rebate is made, the resident will have 17 days to purchase, recycle and submit their rebate application.  The program-specific website www.mnappliancerebate.com will be launched February 1st (containing information only) until the rebate reservation system opens on March 1^st. 

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) now offers an additional per bulb rebate on all T12 lighting that is replaced with new energy efficient lighting for a limited time. The bonus rebate is in addition to the standard commercial lighting rebate currently offered.  The bonus rebate program called the “T12 Roundup” is available to businesses between now and June 30, 2010. As of July 1, 2010, T12 magnetic ballasts will no longer be manufactured, and with new technology, there are more efficient lighting options now available.

The T12 lighting can be replaced with a number of energy efficient lighting options. Those options include: T8, super T8, low wattage T8, or T5 lighting. The energy efficient lighting options are up to 30% more energy efficient and last up to 4,000 hours longer depending on the use and application.

After completion of the lighting project, customers should fill out the rebate form located on the RPU web site under “T12 Roundup” and return it to RPU. For additional information on the T12 Roundup, contact Jan Blevins at 507-280-1578 or Stephanie Humphrey at 507-280-1639.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be broken. Help the environment by conserving energy today through RPU’s Conserve & Save program! What’s even better is you can receive a rebate back on qualifying energy efficient purchases and you’ll also save money over the life of the equipment!

We have dedicated staff to help you conserve energy in your home or business. Contact us today!