FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 27, 2006
CONTACT: Tony Benson
Communications Coordinator
507-280-1534
tbenson@rpu.org

ROCHESTER PUBLIC UTILITIES CELEBRATES PUBLIC POWER WEEK, OCT. 1-7

ROCHESTER, MN. — Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is celebrating Public Power Week, Oct. 1-7, along with more than 2,000 other electric utilities that collectively provide electricity on a not-for-profit basis to 43 million Americans.

“Public Power Week honors RPU’s hometown service, resulting in reliable, affordable electricity for our community,” said Larry Koshire, General Manager of RPU.

Public Power Week is a national, annual event sponsored in conjunction with the American Public Power Association (APPA) in Washington, D.C. APPA is the service organization for community- and state-owned electric utilities.

“We all take for granted the availability of electricity,” Koshire said. “It’s an absolute necessity day in and day out. Having a community-owned electric system providing our power allows us to make decisions locally on how we want to use our resources for the betterment of the community.”

RPU invites community members to stop into the RPU Service Center to help celebrate Public Power Week and to enjoy the activities listed.

• Tours available of the Silver Lake Power Plant (schedule by calling 507-280-1534)
• Cider and cookies at the RPU Service Center
• Electrical safety bags handed out to children

“We are dedicated to providing the highest possible level of service to our customers and in doing so, improving their quality of life,” Koshire said.

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.

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