Rochester, Minn., utility offers lower rates to energy-efficient customers
Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn. --Sep. 1
Sep. 1--Here's a signal to businesses from Rochester Public Utilities: "Buy energy-efficient heating systems; save dollars along with power."
The utility's directors approved a 19 percent cut in RPU's electric-use rate
from October through May for two categories of commercial customers. They cover
small and medium-sized businesses, as well as some institutions, such as
churches.
The rates for electric use could go into effect on Oct. 1. The final OK will
come from the Rochester City Council, probably this month.
Few RPU customers currently qualify. They must have bought HVAC systems that
rely on geo-thermal or air-source heat pumps. Some able to claim the rate are
Cinemagic Theatres, Palmer-Soderberg Inc.'s new headquarters and the Olmsted
County History Center.
But RPU is nudging businesses toward high-efficiency systems for a couple of
reasons, general manager Larry Koshire said. Those technologies can drastically
lower electric use for heating and cooling. That helps the entire RPU system
during times of both heavy drains and low use.
Customers may find two benefits, although installing the geothermal or air
heat pump systems generally costs more than conventional systems. Once they are
in, however, the heating and cooling bills can be drastically reduced, RPU has
said.
Then, under the new rate, customers also will be paying less for the
electricity they do use.
RPU already has a similar rate break in place for residential customers using
high-efficiency systems.
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