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Blooming Prairie Public Utilities
The Blooming Prairie Public Utilities power plant was built at a cost of $75,000 in 1931. It was built because of the demand from the citizens to have their own power plant. Many were upset due to the sporadic power outages due to the city receiving electricity from one power line leading into the city. Many times this line would fail and the city would be without power for hours even days. So it was decided that it was time to build a power plant within the city to create the demand that was needed to satisfy the people's needs for electricity.
Main Public Utilities Building Now today, the Blooming Prairie Public Utilities is a member of SMMPA or Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. The plant generates the power needed for the City of Blooming Prairie. The city also ties into the City of Austin, who is also a SMMPA member. In 1999 Blooming Prairie did a joint intercommunication project with Steele Waseca Electric Cooperative to tie in a transmission line to their substation in Bixby just north of Blooming Prairie. This allows the city to be on two lines instead of just one, improving the ability to maintain power during severe weather conditions. Just recently the utilities built a new substation in the new industrial park located in the northeast part of the city. Most of the line work was done by the utilities employees themselves with some work being sub contracted out for the substation construction and installation of new generators. This will help with the growing demand of electricity while the city continues to grow.
The Public Utilities employs 1 Manager, 2 Office Staff Personnel, 3 Linemen/Operators, and 1 Groundman/Operator. Many employees are highly trained and skilled in high voltage line work and maintenance. For more information on the Blooming Prairie Public Utilities or to learn on how to become a customer, please contact the main office at the number below. Utilities Manager Contact Information Blooming Prairie Public Utilities P.O. Box 55 Normal Hours: (507) 583-6683 After Hours Emergencies: (507) 475-2819 E-mail:jerry@bppu.net Website: www.bppu.org |
