Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is committed to helping customers make fully informed decisions about solar energy. Recently, RPU has received reports from customers about door-to-door and phone solicitations promoting third-party solar ownership arrangements. These arrangements are not permitted under Minnesota law and may not accurately reflect the true cost of owning solar.
These sales tactics often involve high-pressure pitches urging quick action before incentives expire and may promote “zero-money-down” deals. Such offers can be misleading, potentially leading to contracts that violate state statutes and utility regulations.
Under the Minnesota Public Utilities Act, electric utilities like RPU have the exclusive right to provide retail electric service within their designated service areas. This means third-party vendors are not allowed to own and operate solar systems that sell electricity directly to customers in Rochester.
RPU strongly supports solar energy and provides trusted resources for customers interested in installing solar systems that comply with Minnesota laws and utility guidelines. More than 700 RPU customers currently own solar and enjoy the benefits of renewable energy.
RPU’s residential and commercial energy advisors are available to help you make an informed decision. If someone approaches you with a solar offer, we recommend the following:
Ask to see a valid peddler’s license (required for door-to-door sales in Rochester).
Contact RPU Customer Care at 507-280-1500 or customercare@rpu.org to verify any solar-related claims.
Report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for over 120 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to more than 60,000 customers, along with water services to over 42,000 customers. RPU is governed by a five-member Utility Board and the Rochester City Council. The utility continually explores innovative technologies to help customers maximize the value of the services they receive, with current initiatives including photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water-efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.
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November 4, 2024—ROCHESTER, MINN. — Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) has been awarded a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association for demonstrating a commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service. Erin Miller, Vice President of Programs and Sustainability at American Municipal Power, Inc., and Chair of the SEP Review Panel, presented the designations on October 28 in Louisville, Kentucky during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference.
The SEP designation, which lasts for three years (December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2027), recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy resources programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and customer experience. RPU joins more than 100 public power utilities nationwide that hold the SEP designation.
“SEP-designated utilities have demonstrated their leadership in smart energy programs and services,” said Miller. “This designation celebrates utilities that are committed to serving their customers while taking the extra step to plan for the future. Communities served by utilities that have earned the SEP designation should be proud of their utility’s accomplishments.”
“We are honored to be recognized as a utility at the cutting edge of smart energy best practices,” said Patty Hanson, Director of Customer Relations of RPU. “This SEP designation represents our dedication to offering programs that keep our power affordable, support energy efficiency in our community, and reduce our environmental impact.”
This marks the second time RPU has received the SEP designation, having previously been recognized for the period of 2022-2024 and now extending from 2024-2027.
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About Rochester Public Utilities
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for over 120 years, RPU has provided high-quality and reliable electricity to more than 59,000 customers, along with water services to over 42,000 customers. RPU is governed by a five-member Utility Board and the Rochester City Council. The utility continually explores innovative technologies to help customers maximize the value of the services they receive, with current initiatives including photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water-efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.
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Sixty-seven public power electric utilities and utility organizations earned Excellence in Public Power Communications Awards from the American Public Power Association. The awards were presented this week at APPA’s Customer Connections Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
The annual awards recognize excellence in communications. The entries are judged in three categories: Print & Digital, Web & Social Media, and Video. Awards were given to those that showed ingenuity and creativity in telling their stories through outstanding copy, design, financial data presentation, graphics, social media engagement, video editing, and web layout and interactivity.
This year’s awards were judged by Jakub Konysz, Founder and CEO, Global Navigators; Steven M. Mandurano, Principal: Marketing, Membership & Communications, Association CMO LLC; and Lidia Varesco Racoma, Brand Strategist & Marketing Designer, Lidia Varesco Design.
The winners are:
Class A: Gross revenues of $400 million or more
Print/Digital
Award of Excellence – Chelan County PUD
Award of Excellence – ElectriCities of North Carolina
Award of Excellence – Indiana Municipal Power Agency
Award of Excellence – Long Island Power Authority
Award of Excellence – Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Award of Excellence – New York Power Authority
Award of Merit – Huntsville Utilities
Award of Merit – Knoxville Utilities Board
Award of Merit – Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Award of Merit – Tacoma Public Utilities’ Power Division
Award of Merit – WPPI Energy
Video
Award of Excellence – Austin Energy
Award of Excellence – Chelan County PUD
Award of Excellence – Energy Northwest
Award of Excellence – Orlando Utilities Commission
Award of Excellence – Santee Cooper
Award of Excellence – Energy Northwest
Award of Excellence – Long Island Power Authority
Award of Excellence – Nashville Electric Service
Award of Excellence – Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Award of Excellence – Salt River Project
Award of Merit – Anaheim Public Utilities
Award of Merit – Chelan County PUD
Award of Merit – JEA
Award of Merit – Tennessee Valley Authority
Web/Social Media
Award of Excellence – American Municipal Power, Inc.
Award of Excellence – Austin Energy
Award of Excellence – Huntsville Utilities
Award of Excellence – Riverside Public Utilities
Award of Excellence – Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Award of Excellence – Salt River Project
Award of Merit – Tennessee Valley Authority
Award of Merit – Turlock Irrigation District
Class B: Gross revenues of $200 million-$399,999,999
Print/Digital
Award of Excellence – Lakeland Electric
Award of Excellence – Missouri River Energy Services
Award of Excellence – Platte River Power Authority
Award of Excellence – San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Award of Merit – Guam Power Authority
Award of Merit – Lansing Board of Water and Light
Video
Award of Excellence – Eugene Water and Electric Board
Award of Excellence – and Grant County PUD
Award of Merit – Alabama Municipal Electric Authority
Award of Merit – Denton Municipal Electric
Award of Merit – Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
Web/Social Media
Award of Excellence – Eugene Water and Electric Board
Award of Excellence – Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Award of Excellence – Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Sunnyvale
Award of Excellence – Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
Award of Merit – Alabama Municipal Electric Authority
Award of Merit – CDE Lightband
Award of Merit – Guam Power Authority
Award of Merit – Kissimmee Utility Authority
Award of Merit – San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Class C: Gross revenues of $75 million-$199,999,999
Print/Digital
Award of Excellence – Morristown Utilities
Award of Excellence – Muscatine Power and Water
Award of Excellence – Riviera Utilities
Award of Excellence – Rochester Public Utilities
Award of Merit – Greenville Utilities Commission
Award of Merit – Holland Board of Public Works
Video
Award of Excellence – Franklin Public Utility District
Award of Merit – GEUS
Award of Merit – Muscatine Power and Water
Award of Merit – New Smyrna Beach Utilities
Award of Merit – Westfield Gas and Electric
Web/Social Media
Award of Excellence – Franklin Public Utility District
Award of Excellence – Mason PUD 3
Award of Excellence – Muscatine Power and Water
Award of Excellence – Riviera Utilities
Award of Excellence – Westfield Gas and Electric
Award of Merit – Braintree Electric Light Department
Award of Merit – Morristown Utilities
Award of Merit – New Braunfels Utilities
Class D: Gross revenues of less than $75 million
Print/Digital
Award of Excellence – Conway Corporation
Award of Excellence – Heartland Energy
Award of Excellence – Northwest Public Power Association
Award of Merit – Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments
Award of Merit – Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
Award of Merit – Nebraska Rural Electric Association
Award of Merit – and Sioux Center Municipal Utilities
Video
Award of Excellence – Heartland Energy
Award of Excellence – Kerrville Public Utility Board
Award of Excellence – Sun Prairie Utilities
Award of Merit – City of Milford
Web/Social Media
Award of Excellence – Crawfordsville Electric Light and Power.
Award of Excellence – City of Lompoc
Award of Merit – City of Banning Electric Utility
Award of Merit – Conway Corporation
Award of Merit – Elk River Municipal Utilities
Award of Merit – Florida Municipal Electric Association
Award of Merit – Heartland Energy
Award of Merit – Kerrville Public Utility Board
Award of Merit – Moreno Valley Utility
Award of Merit – SMTX Utilities
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Arbor Day Foundation Lauren Weyers lweyers@arborday.org
Arbor Day Foundation Awards Recognition to Rochester Public Utilities as 2022 Tree Line USA Utility Rochester Public Utilities earns the Tree Line USA recognition for their commitment to urban forestry in its community
LINCOLN, Nebraska – Rochester Public Utilities was named a 2022 Tree Line USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize its dedication to proper urban forest management in the provider’s service area.
Tree Line USA, a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing best practices that protect and cultivate America’s urban tree canopy. In addition, Tree Line USA promotes delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests.
“Trees are essential to creating more urban green spaces in communities across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “In addition, they provide important benefits to residents, including clean air, clean water, and vital tree shade. Service providers like Rochester Public Utilities demonstrate how easily trees and utilities can co-exist for the benefit of communities and residents.”
By joining the Tree Line USA program, service providers benefit from lowering line clearance costs due to proper pruning. As a result of those properly pruned and maintained trees, the people benefit from increased reliability of service because those trees will have healthy root systems that decay less, have less structural weakness, and ultimately result in fewer downed lines during storms.
Rochester Public Utilities achieved the Tree Line USA recognition by meeting five program standards: quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, a formal tree-based energy conservation, and a sponsorship of or participation Arbor Day celebration.
About the Arbor Day Foundation Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.
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AMWA Recognizes Utility Management Achievement in Water Industry Awards
Washington, D.C. – The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) honored the exceptional operation and performance of 13 public drinking water systems with its top utility management awards on October 13 at its 2020 Executive Management Conference.
“In an unprecedented year for this nation, these systems are at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to the multiple challenges a global pandemic, extreme weather events, and infrastructure gaps are creating,” said AMWA President Steve Schneider, General Manager of Saint Paul Regional Water Services. “By supplying their communities with clean, safe, and affordable drinking water, these water utilities are helping to safeguard the nation’s health.”
AMWA management awards recognize the exceptional performance of public drinking water utilities where management vision and employee commitment create sustainable utilities producing ample supplies of clean, safe drinking water. The Sustainable Water Utility Management Award spotlights efforts of water utilities implementing long-term and innovative economic, environmental, and social endeavors, while the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence and Gold Award for Utility Performance honor outstanding achievement in implementing the industry standard Attributes of Effective Utility Management.
AMWA awarded the 2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award to nine utilities, including the starred second-time winners:
Anaheim Public Utilities (California)
Charleston Water System (South Carolina)
Contra Costa Water District* (California)
El Paso Water* (Texas)
Greenville Water (South Carolina)
KC Water (Missouri)
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (New York)
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Florida)
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (Connecticut)
AMWA presented three utilities with the 2020 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence:
Central Arizona Project (Arizona)
Great Lakes Water Authority (Michigan)
Houston Water (Texas)
AMWA awarded the 2020 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance to:
Rochester Public Utilities (Minnesota)
Sustainable Water Utility Management Award Winners
Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) continues to achieve financial effectiveness by maintaining robust liquidity, minimizing long-term obligation, offering affordable and competitive rates in the face of COVID-19 pandemic challenges and rising water supply costs. APU employs data analytics to optimize decision-making, organizational performance, and capital project investments. The utility invested over $67 million in capital improvement projects to support long-term water system sustainability. APU consistently focuses on assisting customers and partnering with them to help the community prosper. Through rebate and incentive programs, Anaheim also achieved a 30 percent per capita water use reduction in 2020.
Charleston Water System (CWS) established capital planning programs that ensure water and wastewater capacity, fire protection, and environmental and regulatory compliance requirements are fully met. It is the first combined utility in the U.S. registered in conformance with the Environmental Management System standards of ISO 14001. A dedicated source water manager maintains source water infrastructure, works with watershed stakeholders to address water quality and quantity concerns, and develops a source water protection plan. The CWS low-income assistance initiative supports customers in need through the Palmetto Community Action Partnership, and creation of a Citizens Academy program enhances customer education and engagement.
Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is a state-wide leader in water affairs with a focus on preserving Delta water quality and developing regional water supply reliability. CCWD is committed to balancing operational expenditures, revenues, and debt service while investing in infrastructure assets; controlling operations and maintenance expenditures, while increasing water quality and customer service levels. The utility incorporates climate change considerations and resiliency into long-term planning, addressing vulnerabilities and investing in improvements that will increase sustainability. It has made significant investments in water use efficiency projects that have reduced total water use by over 30 percent since the late 1980s.
The El Paso Water (EPWater) strategic plan objectives include strengthening financial viability, improving land and water management, increasing innovative solutions, and strengthening stakeholder partnerships. Its financial management is consistently recognized for its bond ratings, debt service, audits, budgets, and pricing structures. EPWater has developed aquifer storage and recovery, advanced water purification desalination, and water importation projects, which contribute to a diversified water portfolio. Investments in flood control, water conservation, and open space preservation make EPWater a leader in environmental stewardship. The utility engages the community through payment assistance programs to help low-income seniors and low-income families financially impacted by COVID-19.
Greenville Water had the foresight to purchase watersheds in a high rainfall area, construct dams to develop reservoirs at favorable hydraulic gradients, and limit the access to its watersheds, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the next 100 years. The utility maintains a AAA financial rating from all three major rating agencies and a financial plan that supports daily operational needs and meets required debt services. Its asset management program promotes the continuous improvement of business processes, and its business services model optimizes employee efficiencies to benefit customers and billing partners. A robust watershed management plan supports resource management through strategic planning and partnership efforts.
KC Water implements sustainable management using green infrastructure solutions whenever possible as part of a 25-year, $5 billion program to mitigate adverse effects of its combined sewer system. The utility’s aggressive asset management program minimizes the cost and maximizes the benefit of infrastructure investments. KC Water relies on climate studies and other research to drive planning and execution of short-term operations and maintenance and long-term capital improvement programs, serving both immediate needs and generational impact. These initiatives have also saved treatment costs, delayed or avoided additional water and wastewater treatment expansion, and minimized risks to the water supply.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) achieved progress in a broad range of sustainability-related factors, including: receiving a 10-year filtration avoidance determination for drinking water from the EPA in 2017, building the largest green infrastructure program in the country with over 10,000 assets spread across the city, achieving Envision and LEED certifications for multiple projects, and launching innovative and impactful rate payer assistance programs. DEP approaches these achievements with triple bottom line thinking that assesses and seeks to maximize the utility’s priorities of protecting health and the environment, supporting its constituents and communities, and benefitting the economy.
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority created a reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply in southwest Florida and provides the infrastructure for business development and economic growth. Through partnerships the Authority invested in alternative water supply (AWS) and interconnecting the major water supply systems. The utility is a model in AWS development, implementing surface water storage by off-stream reservoirs and aquifer storage and recovery systems. Limiting water withdrawal to occur only during high flow periods provides the sustainability of the downstream estuary and Charlotte Harbor while meeting demands for public water supply.
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is focused on the long-term economic viability of its company, resources, and region. Periodic studies ensure its rates reflect the true cost of water and remain affordable. Internally generated funds finance the capital program and increase discretionary reserves. To preserve and protect the natural environment, RWA has robust land and water management programs, has reduced its energy use using renewable energy sources, and diverts hundreds of tons of treatment residuals from landfill disposal. Its education program provides free, hands-on programs to local schools, and its recreation program provides access to nine recreation areas.
Platinum Award for Utility ExcellenceWinners
Central Arizona Project (CAP) leads and innovates in all aspects of its business. Through collaboration, CAP ensures resiliency and sustainability of the system, maintains water quality, improves stakeholder understanding and support, and puts customer service in the forefront. Its custom-developed programs and processes contribute to success in employee leadership and development, excellence in infrastructure strategy and performance, and an ever-evolving asset management program. CAP’s well-established financial planning cycle results in top bond ratings and award-winning work.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has been in continuous compliance with state and federal drinking water standards since its 2016 establishment. By optimizing operational efforts, it has experienced two rounds of rating agency upgrades by reaching AA category status in September 2018 and receiving further upgrades in March 2020. Focusing on collaboration and long-term sustainability, it boasts a 90 percent member partner satisfaction. It supports affordable programs and has kept its annual charge increases to less than half of its peers in the Black & Veatch Utility Rate Index. It achieved a systems-total of debt service savings of over $1 billion.
Houston Water provides drinking water and wastewater services to 2.3 million customers. Planning for sustainable, long-term utilities that are more resilient to the effects of climate change and other stressors, it is developing a strategic plan with the city’s stormwater utility using a One Water approach. Its focus on asset management has helped to reduce operational costs and has allowed for development of a risk-based prioritization of preventive maintenance. It actively engages with stakeholders to meet or exceed expectations and has reduced its customer response time by 96,000 days, increasing customer satisfaction by 73 percent.
Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance Winner
Rochester Public Utility (RPU) has no water debt obligations and provides one of the lowest water rates in Minnesota. Its investment in mobile technologies and other efficiencies has resulted in more time spent serving customers. Over the past few years, RPU has collaborated with Rochester Public Works to plan joint replacement projects of aging infrastructure. The capital improvement plan includes the top 20 highest risk score water main sections being replaced in the next five years. As part of its sustainability study with state agencies, RPU protects groundwater sources to ensure long-term supply of drinking water while maintaining its precious natural resources.
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The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies is an organization of the largest publicly owned drinking water suppliers in the United States.
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