Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for May, 2014

First CapX2020 161 kilovolt (kV) line energized for Rochester area

Friday, May 16th, 2014

The first of two 161 kV transmission lines for the Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse (WI) part of the CapX2020 transmission project was energized on May 15, providing increased electric reliability to the Rochester area.

 

The 161 kV line spans from the new North Rochester substation to RPU’s Northern Hills substation. Another 161 kV line is scheduled to go in-service to the east of Rochester in 2015.

 

This is the first major electric transmission project in southeast Minnesota in over 30 years. When complete, the Rochester area will have added redundancy in its transmission infrastructure providing for added security and reliability.

 

Completion of the Rochester-Hampton-La Crosse (WI) transmission line project is scheduled for late 2015.

 

The other partners on this line along with RPU include: Xcel Energy, SMMPA, Dairyland, and WPPI.

 

For additional information on CapX2020, visit the CapX2020 website at www.capx2020.com or contact RPU at 507.280.1500.

 

About Rochester Public Utilities

 

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 120 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 50,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 38,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include smart grid, water sustainability, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

 

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Safe to discontinue running water to prevent frozen pipes

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) customers that have been running their water since February can discontinue running their pencil-width stream of water now.

 

As the frost dipped toward six feet below the ground, many water services were affected by freezing or by reaching dangerous water temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Almost 2,000 RPU customers contacted RPU to note that they were running a constant stream of water from a faucet. RPU water officials have been closely monitoring the frost level in Rochester and have seen the thaw level rise to a safe level, which is nearly out of the ground at this time.

 

RPU reminds customers to monitor and test their water service temperature next winter, especially if similar frost levels are identified again. For more information on preventing a frozen water service, contact RPU at 507.280.1500.

 

About Rochester Public Utilities

 

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 120 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 50,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 38,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include smart grid, water sustainability, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

 

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