News releases
We sponsored seven teachers to attend 2010 Lignite Education Seminar
July 1, 2010 - Nearly 130 elementary and secondary educators from Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota experienced role reversal June 14-17 as they became the students at an educational seminar conducted by the Lignite Energy Council at the National Energy Center of Excellence on the campus of Bismarck State College.
Otter Tail Power Company sponsored seven teachers from its service area to attend the 25th annual "2010 Lignite Education Seminar: Energy, Economics, and Environment. "
Home energy makeover winner in Rothsay's Community Energy Challenge
June 4, 2010 - As part of its Community Energy Challenge in Rothsay, Minnesota, Otter Tail Power Company has selected one homeowner to receive a free home energy makeover valued at $12,000. On June 2 members of the company's Community Energy Challenge team visited winning homeowner Jeanette Geer to announce that she is the winner.
"This makeover will be similar to the home makeovers you see on TV except that ours will focus on making the Geer home more energy efficient to help achieve the Community Energy Challenge goal of saving between 10 percent and 15 percent of Rothsay's energy use," said Senior Market Planning Specialist Brenda Sandahl.
Stay safe. Call before you dig.
April 26, 2010 - The construction season and yard work are warming up with the spring weather, and Otter Tail Power Company reminds its customers and neighbors that, before digging, they need to notify utilities that have lines or cables buried in the area. Just one phone call will notify all of these utility companies so they can mark the property before any excavation begins. That will keep those who dig safe. It also will prevent unintentional damage to underground utility lines and needless outages to the utilities whose convenience you enjoy, including electric, water and sewer, cable TV, telephone, and high-speed Internet. Besides, calling before you dig is the law.
Make the change video debuts on Earth Day, April 22
Rothsay students encourage energy efficiency
April 22, 2010 - Students in Rothsay, Minnesota, are helping lead the charge to model next-century energy use habits. The Students for Community Energy Challenge leadership team invites people from across the globe to embrace simple energy-efficiency changes.
Their student-produced video titled Make the change debuts today. "It features one community calling out to one state, one country, one world," said team member Shannon Backstrom. "We want people to know that little things can make a big difference if you have passion to make the change.
Request submitted to Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
April 2, 2010 - To bring rates closer to the actual cost of providing reliable electric service to its customers, Otter Tail Power Company has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for permission to increase rates by approximately $10.6 million, or about 8 percent. To help cover the cost of service while the PUC considers this request, the company has asked to increase rates on an interim basis by approximately $5 million, or about 3.8 percent.
North Dakota Public Service Commission grants increase in Otter Tail Power Company rates
November 25, 2009 - Today the ND PSC granted a revenue increase of $3.6 million, or about 3 percent. This increase is over the amount customers paid in 2007 including the Energy Adjustment, which will continue to fluctuate with changes in the costs ...
Children's book will be donated to 400 elementary schools
October 20, 2009 - As part of our 100th anniversary efforts to pay it forward, Otter Tail Power Company published a children's book titled Ollie's Otter Tail River Adventure, featuring our mascot, Ollie the Otter. ...
Working together with U of M, Crookston, to reduce campus electricity consumption
October 2, 2009 - The University of Minnesota, Crookston, was selected as the site of our first Campus Energy Challenge today at the dedication of Evergreen Hall, the new energy-efficient residence on the campus....
Otter Tail Power Company announces withdrawal from Big Stone II
September 11, 2009 - Otter Tail Power Company today announced its withdrawal—both as a participating utility and as the project's lead developer—from Big Stone II, a 500-to-600-megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed for near Milbank, South Dakota, with ...
Governor Hoeven proclaims August 25 as Pay It Forward Day
August 25, 2009 - Governor John Hoeven officially proclaimed August 25 as Otter Tail Power Company Pay It Forward Day in North Dakota. “Otter Tail Power Company continues its 100-year emphasis on paying it forward for future generations by constructing a ...
Study will determine cost-effectiveness of energy-efficiency measures in Minnesota
August 3, 2009 - The goal of the study is to determine the level of energy efficiency and savings available, costs associated with energy-efficiency measures, whether these measures are cost effective, and help determine what customer programs are best ...
University of Minnesota, Crookston, selected for Campus Energy Challenge
July 20, 2009 - The U of M, Crookston, will work with OTP to reduce electric energy consumption on campus by as much as 15 percent. “That's an extremely aggressive goal, but we envision student leadership grabbing hold and making it work. ...
International Right of Way Association selects OTP for 2008 Employer of the Year
July 10, 2009 - We were selected as the 2008 Employer of the Year by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA). This is the highest level of recognition for an employer and the employees engaged in the right-of-way profession....
Bemidji-Grand Rapids transmission line granted Certificate of Need
July 9, 2009 - The Minnesota PUC granted a Certificate of Need to construct the Bemidji-Grand Rapids 230-kilovolt transmission line. Otter Tail Power Company, Minnesota Power and Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., applied for it on behalf of themselves and...
SD PUC grants increase in Otter Tail Power Company rates
June 23, 2009 - The SD PUC granted a revenue increase of $2.9 million, or about 11.7 percent. This increase is over what customers paid in 2007 including the energy adjustment, which will continue to fluctuate with changes in the costs associated with ...
Ashtabula Wind Energy Center dedicated
June 17, 2009 - More than 200 local and regional guests joined Governor Hoeven and company officials at the site near Valley City to celebrate the commercial operation of the 196.5-megawatt Ashtabula Wind Energy Center and the organizations that helped ma...
Luverne Wind Farm to be built in 2009 near Lake Ashtabula in North Dakota
May 22, 2009 - Construction will commence in late May on a wind farm near Lake Ashtabula in North Dakota. The 49.5 megawatt wind farm and related infrastructure will be north of the existing 200-megawatt Ashtabula Wind Energy Center, which was constructed...
Governor's Safety Award earned by Otter Tail Power Company
May 18, 2009 - The Minnesota Safety Council presented the award for companywide excellence in workplace safety and health in 2008 on May 15. It was an Award of Honor, the highest level, and was also received for 2007 and 2005....
Otter Tail Corporation Unveils 100-Year Anniversary Painting
April 20, 2009 - Otter Tail Corporation today unveiled a painting by award-winning wildlife artist and Otter Tail Power Company employee Jeffrey Hoff. The painting depicts two otters on the Otter Tail River in vivid color and captures the curious nature a...
Governor Pawlenty congratulates Rothsay on being selected for Community Energy Challenge
April 9, 2009 - Today the city of Rothsay will celebrate being selected for our Community Energy Challenge. Governor Pawlenty will speak on the State's commitment to energy efficiency and conservation and thank Rothsay for serving as a model community....
South Dakota proclaims April 9 Otter Tail Power Company Pay-It-Forward Day
March 25, 2009 - This morning Dusty Johnson, Chairman of the South Dakota PUC, officially proclaimed April 9 as Otter Tail Power Company Pay-It-Forward Day on behalf of Governor Rounds. On April 9, 1909, we provided electricity to our first customer ...
Unique program challenges customers to reduce energy use
January 9, 2008 - Company proposes to help retrofit an entire town and college. Imagine all of the residents of a small rural community working together to reduce the electrical use of their entire town. ...
