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Working together with U of M, Crookston, to reduce campus electricity consumption

Fergus Falls, Minnesota - October 2, 2009

Today at the dedication of Evergreen Hall, the new energy-efficient residence on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston, Otter Tail Power Company highlighted the University’s selection as the site of the company’s first Campus Energy Challenge.

U of M, Crookston, students helped lead the effort for Evergreen Hall to be the first residence facility in the University of Minnesota system to be certified in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The focus throughout the building’s development and construction was on minimizing environmental impact and saving energy.

The aim of Otter Tail Power Company’s Campus Energy Challenge, similarly, is to work with the U of M, Crookston, to inspire students to lead an effort to reduce electric energy consumption on the entire campus by as much as 15 percent and to sustain that level of savings for five years.

"At the University of Minnesota, Crookston, our goal is to offer an environment that is conducive—both physically and intellectually—to creating a sound teaching and learning experience," said University of Minnesota, Crookston, Chancellor Charles H. Casey while addressing the guests. "Evergreen Hall does that on many levels. Now we look forward to working with Otter Tail Power Company, who selected us to be its first-ever Campus Energy Challenge participant, to learn even more about saving energy and passing on that knowledge to create a more sustainable future."

Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO Chuck MacFarlane credited the University of Minnesota, Crookston, students, faculty, and staff for accepting the Campus Energy Challenge. “We realize the magnitude of this challenge, but we believe it’s achievable. That’s why we selected you,” said MacFarlane at the ceremony. “We selected the U of M, Crookston, because you already have students, faculty, and administration committed to making a difference on this campus and beyond.”

The Campus Energy Challenge is a pilot project that’s part of Otter Tail Power Company's Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program, approved by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security in November 2008. In 2009 students, staff, and faculty on the Crookston campus will join with power company employees to research and analyze current electric energy consumption and develop strategies for reducing electricity use. In 2010 the company and the University will implement those strategies to develop and nurture energy-efficiency habits and to model those habits to the community, other campuses, and the country.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston, delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit www.otpco.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit www.ottertail.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Addressing the guests at the dedication of Evergreen Hall and celebration of the Community Energy Challenge at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, on October 2 were Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO Chuck MacFarlane at the podium; (seated left to right) U of M, Crookston, Chancellor Charles H. Casey; Minnesota District 10B State Representative Bernie Lieder; University of Minnesota Board of Regents Chair Clyde Allen, Jr.; U of M, Crookston, Director of Residential Life Gary Willhite; and Crookston Student Association President Thomas Haarstick.

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