Natural Gas Leak Requires Planned Power Outage Today- Updated

ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities is cooperating with the Rochester Fire Department and Minnesota Energy Resources to address and repair a possible natural gas leak in SW Rochester.

A home explosion early Tuesday morning is the suspected cause of the leak. As a safety precaution, electricity in the vicinity of 9th and 10th Avenue and 36th and 39th Street SW was shut off at 8:30 a.m. while crews are working in the area. An estimated 100 customers will be without power during this time.

Power will be restored to the area when the Rochester Fire Department and Minnesota Energy Resources state that it is safe.

March 13 Update- Seven homes on 800 block of 36th Street and the 3600 block of 9th Avenue are still without power on Thursday due to a request from the Rochester Fire Department and Minnesota Energy Resources. Electricity to these homes will be restored when it is safe for surrounding residents and crews working in the immediate area.

No timeline is available at this time for restoration. Please keep checking back for updates.

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 45,000 customers. Water customers number more than 34,000. 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.

###