Polar Explorer Will Steger to speak in Rochester on Nov. 4

Will Steger, a well-known explorer that has traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak and dogsled over 40 years, leading teams on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history, is coming to Rochester on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Presentation Hall in the Mayo Civic Center.

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), in conjunction with the City of Rochester, is hosting the event. Policy Director for Fresh Energy, J. Drake Hamilton is also scheduled to speak along with RPU Director of Field Services Joe Hensel. Steger is also a formidable voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the Arctic, and the Earth.

Exhibits showing how local organizations are working to slow global warming will be open at 6 p.m. They will reopen during the reception immediately following the event.

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. For more information, visit http://www.rpu.org/.

SMMPA and Big Blue Wind Farm, L.L.C. Enter Agreement for Wind Power Purchase

Some neat news from the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) today. SMMPA has announced that the Big Blue Windfarm, L.L.C. will build wind turbines totaling 36 MW and sell all electricty generated by them to SMMPA. The farm will be located in Faribault County. The turbines are planned to be in commercial operation by Sepetember 2009.

Fun Fact: The turbines are expected to generate about 120,000 megawatt hours of electricity - enough to meet the annual electricity needs of over 14,000 homes.

You can visit SMMPA's Web site here, which gives some great information about wind power and clears up some frequently asked questions on the subject.