Road Closure Announcements

Monday, August 24, 2009 - MPS has scheduled road repairs in Moorhead as a part of MPS’ summer watermain replacement program. On Wednesday, August 26, 2009, MPS’ contractors will be working through the 2009 projects. The three projects included in 2009 are:

1. 20th Avenue from 9th Street to 11th Street South
2. 16th Street from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue South
3. 18th Street from 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue South

During the next two weeks, contractors will be closing these roads as they work through the project list. Residents that use these roads are encouraged to find alternate routes over the next two weeks.

20th Avenue Closure:

16th Street and 18th Street Closure:

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness

Road Closed in North Moorhead

Thursday, July 30, 2009 - Moorhead Public Service (MPS) has scheduled a road closure in north Moorhead for watermain repair. The road closure will affect 11th Street North from 8th Avenue to 9th Avenue North beginning today Thursday, July 30, 2009. The watermain is expected to be repaired by the end of the day. Residents that use this portion of 11th Street North are encouraged to find alternate routes during the day.

Road Closure Information:
Street: 11th Street North from 8th Avenue to 9th Avenue North
Dates: Beginning Thursday, July 30, 2009, lasting approximately one day


Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness

MPS Employee Receives Scholarship to Further Education

Monday, July 20, 2009 - Dan Portlock, a part-time Water Plant Operator for MPS, received a $2500 scholarship from the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Dan will use the scholarship toward attaining his master’s degree at NDSU in environmental engineering. Dan graduated from NDSU with a civil engineering degree in May, 2009. He intends on continuing to work part-time at the MPS treatment plant throughout his graduate studies. Dan has been employed by MPS since the spring of 2008.

For his graduate research, Dan intends on investigating the formation of bromate at the MPS treatment plant. MPS water treatment plant is in compliance with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for this contaminant. However, Dan’s research may reveal cost saving measures through optimizing control strategies the treatment facility uses in meeting the EPA regulation. Bromate is a disinfection by-product that is a suspected carcinogen for humans. It can be found in treatment facilities that use ozone or produce bleach on-site for water disinfection.

MPS water plant has over a twenty year history of hiring local university students to assist in operations. Typically, students studying in science or engineering are hired. In addition to helping with MPS operations, students may be attracted into the water and wastewater field. Prior to Dan, other students working for the MPS water plant have received scholarships from the Minnesota Section AWWA. Dan learned of his scholarship in early-July.

Posted by: MPS Water Plant Supervisor, Troy Hall

Incentives for Residential Energy Star rated appliances

Friday, July 17, 2009 - I don’t know about you but I never liked the idea of a rebate for a product. Why not just lower the price of the product rather than charging me the higher amount only to send me a rebate check thus effectively lowering the price of the product? With this in mind, MPS is offering an incentive for you, the residential customer, to purchase or upgrade your anticipated purchase to a qualified Energy Star appliance.

This incentive is not associated in any way with the manufacturer or the price of the product, but is based solely only the energy efficiency of the product. To qualify the appliance must be one of the items listed under the residential section of the Bright Energy Solutions web page, http://www.brightenergysolutions.com/ and meets current Energy Star ratings.

To get the incentive download the form and appliance list from the above web site or get it from your local appliance dealer where available. You can also get the form and list by calling Moorhead Public Service, 218-299-5400, and we’ll mail it to you. Fill out the form and include the required documentation then mail it to us. If everything checks out you should see a check in your mailbox within 8 weeks.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 218-299-5225 or email me at deisenbraun@mpsutility.com.

Posted by: MPS Energy Services Manager, Dennis Eisenbraun

MPS Commission Meeting

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, the Moorhead Public Service Commission (Commission) held their only scheduled meeting for the month of July. All in all, it was a pretty quiet meeting; most items on consent and little discussion on the items that were not. A couple items from the meeting that are note worthy:

Mid-year Report on Energy Sales: MPS Electric Division Manager Dave Kahly provided a report to the Commission outlining the current status of energy (electricity) sales for MPS. MPS divides energy usage into 3 categories; General Service (large commercial and industrial), Small General Service (regular/smaller commercial) and residential. Energy sales overall are down by 2.6%. This is primarily due to a 4.9% drop in General Service. Why? Well, we don't really know for sure, but Kahly believes the combination of a 12% rate increase and a cold winter has caused some companies and individuals to change the way they use electricity. The good news...although energy sales have dropped, MPS has also seen a reduction in purchased power costs; therefore, the financial position of the utility has not been negatively impacted. Kahly provided some graphs and more details that are included in the Commission agenda (click here if you want to view the agenda).

Report on MPS' activities relating to stimulus funding: At previous Commission meetings, MPS has discussed moving forward to apply for funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 passed by President Obama. MPS staff is working on this, and I will post an update on the project in a later post.

Changes to the Upcoming Meeting Schedule for the Commission: A few changes for the next few weeks:

• July 28, 2009, rescheduled to Aug 3, 2009
• Rate hearing at 5:00pm during the Aug 3 meeting (discuss incentive rates for commercial accounts)
• August 11, rescheduled to August 18
• August 25, cancelled

As I noted, all in all a quiet meeting. Other topics were, of course, discussed at the meeting; however, these are just a few of the larger items. If you have any interest in attending any of the Commission meetings, you can find the meeting dates and times online at mpsutility.com/minutes. The Commission meets at City Hall, on first floor in the Council Chambers. Don’t forget, you can now watch the Commission meetings live on Moorhead Community Access Television, cable channel 12.

Posted by: MPS Communications Director, Doug Rogness