Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for November, 2010

RPU will be closed on November 25 and 26

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

RPU will be closed on November 25 and 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Payments can be made on the RPU web site and can be dropped off at a payment drop off location. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving from everyone at RPU!

Minnesota Trade-in and Save Appliance Rebate Program Extended!

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Minnesota residents who missed out on the state’s popular Trade-in and Save Appliance Rebate Program will have another chance to participate, beginning on November 17, 2010. Since the launch of the program in the spring, 22,185 rebates have been mailed to Minnesota consumers. About $717,000 in rebates not claimed by residents are available on first-come, first-served basis. The rebate is retroactive and applies to purchases made on or after March 1, 2010. Minnesota residents who already received a rebate are not eligible.

 

 

Here are the steps to follow to receive a rebate:

  • Purchase an appliance and then reserve a rebate online at www.mnappliancerebate.com or call toll-free 1-877-230-9119. If you apply online, print the application confirmation page. If you apply at the toll-free number, a copy of the confirmation will be mailed to you.
  • Purchase an eligible ENERGY STAR appliance from a Minnesota retailer. For a list of ENERGY STAR rated appliances, go to www.energystar.gov
  • Fill out the application completely; make a copy for your records.

Eligible appliances and associated rebate amounts are as follows:

  • clothes washers ($200)
  • dishwashers ($150)
  • freezers ($100 with self-certification of recycling)

refrigerators ($200 with self-certification of recycling)

 

Mail all required materials within 14 days of the rebate reservation to the address provided on the rebate form, not to the RPU office. While funds last.

RPU raises over $26,000 for the United Way of Olmsted County

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) employees raised a resounding grand total of $26,776.32 for the local United Way over a five month long internal employee campaign.

 

The RPU campaign total far surpassed the original goal set at $25,200. Over 60 percent of RPU employees participated in the campaign. A number of events were held at RPU throughout the campaign to draw awareness and to make the fundraising fun and interactive for employees. A silent auction, lunch events, root beer floats, a bean bag competition, and a mini golf competition all contributed to the fun and fundraising.

 


Friendly bean bag competition


Root beer floats for the United Way

 

“Supporting the United Way of Olmsted County has been a tradition for RPU for many years. Through our fundraising campaign, we are helping to support many local programs and organizations that really make a positive difference in the community, said Larry Koshire, RPU General Manager.

 

To learn more about the United Way of Olmsted County visit www.uwolmsted.org or for more information on RPU 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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New walkway at the service center

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

If you’ve been to the RPU service center recently, you couldn’t help but notice all of the construction on the front walkway. Work is finally to the point where some of it is making sense and coming together. The tubes for the heated water are being laid and concrete is scheduled to be poured later this week. We will be utilizing warm water loops from the geothermal system to heat the walkway, helping to better keep ice and snow from piling up during the winter months. Work is scheduled to wrap up within the next couple weeks.


Tubes along the entire length of the walkway


A closer view of the tubes