William Charles Energy, LLC and Rochelle Municipal Utilities Jointly Announce the commissioning of a New Landill-Gas-To-Energy Facility in Rochelle, IL.

In cooperation with RMU and Rochelle Waste Disposal, William Charles Energy, LLC developed and constructed the Rochelle Energy Center, a state-of-the-art 4.8 megawatt renewable energy facility located at Rochelle Municipal Landfill #2 in Rochelle, IL.  RMU will purchase the power produced at the energy center and will retain all of the renewable energy credits associated with the electricity production.  The plant achieved commercial operation in December 2011.  A ribbon cutting event has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 12th, 2012.

The Rochelle Energy Center has three Caterpillar G3520 reciprocating engine generator sets, each rated at 1.6 megawatts.  The project includes a biological treatment system to clean the landfill gas and produce a beneficial usable byproduct.  The byproduct is elemental sulfur which can be used locally as a component of high grade fertilizer.  The gas clean-up process lowers emissions and improves the performance of the facility.

The Rochelle Energy Center will meet the total electrical energy needs of approximately 4,000 homes.  The power is produced and consumed locally.  The facility will have two new full and one part time job, and provided as many as 25 jobs throughout the design and construction of the project.

"The completion of the Rochelle Energy Center demonstrated how a strong public/private partnership enable the project to be completed on-time and within budget.  William Charles Energy, RMU and Rochelle Waste Disposal have worked very well together throughout the project.  Each group worked tirelessly to ensure that the project would be a success," said Jeff Gregory, president of William Charles Energy.  "We are very excited because this state-of-the-art plant represents the current best available technology for emissions controls and gas cleaning.  This is an extremely clean energy source and will help RMU increase its renewable energy portfolio."

Dave Plyman, City Manager of Rochelle said "In our attempt to become more environmentally involved this is a great opportunity for Rochelle.  Some of the advantages of the Landfill Gas to Energy Center include; utilization of local landfill gas and requires no RMU capital for the project.  We are excited to enter into this joint venture with William Charles Energy, an innovative and dynamic company focusing on renewable and alternative energy projects."

For more information, contact Jeffrey Gregory, William Charles Energy, LLC, 815-963-7557 or Joe Orlikowski, RMU Electric Operations, 815-562-4155.

On Monday, January 9, 2012, RMU Water Operators will repair two water main breaks in the 700 block of South Seventh Street.  The work will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.  The main is in the parkway and water service interruption is not anticipated.  Customers in the area may experience low water pressure and discolored water while the repairs are made.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155. 

On Tuesday, December 20th Dr. Oz interviewed the USEPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.  Dr. Oz has a talk-show program that airs on ABC affiliates and the  program segment Tuesday was titled, What's in Your Drinking Water?"  A 30-second teaser for the program indicated that arsenic would be among the contaminanats of focus.

Kathy Cooper, Superintendent of the RMU Water and Wastewater Division reports that "the City's water supply is tested regularly and the arsenic levels are below the EPA's maximum contaminant level goal" (MCLG).   If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

On Thursday, December 15th. RMU Water Operators will repair the water main at 204 Southview.  The work will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.  We do not anticipate any water service interruptions, however customers in the area may experience low water pressure and discolored water while Operators make the repairs.  If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

The RMU Water Operators will repair a water main break in the parkway in the 1100 Block of Avenue B after they complete repairing the water main break on Cleveland Avenue.  If time allows the repairs will be completed today, December 13th.  However, if not, then the water main on Avenue B will be repaired on Wednesday, December 14th.  We do not anticipate any service interruptions, but RMU water customers in the area my experience low water pressure and discolored water while operators make the repairs.  If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

On Tuesday, December 13th at about 9:00 a.m. the RMU Water Operators will repair a water main break at 102 Cleveland Avenue.  RMU does not anticipate any water service interruptions, but customers in the area may experience low water pressure and/or discoloroed water while the repairs are made.  If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

On Monday, December 12th, RMU Water Operators will repair a water main break at 1242 Sunnymeade Drive.  The work will begin around 9:00 a.m. and we do not anticipate any water service interruptions.  RMU water customers in the area may experience low water pressure and discolored water during the repair.  If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

On Friday, December 9, 2011 RMU water operators will repair a water main break at the intersection of Avenue B and South Tenth Street.  The work will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.  The water main is located in the parkway.  RMU does not anticipate that there will be any water service interruption, however customers in the area may experience low water pressure and discolored water during the repair.  If you have any questions, please contact the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

RMU is warning customers about a possible telephone scam.  The phone calls appear to be part of a scam designed to obtain personal information and/or money from customers.  These calls are not authorized by RMU.

In the reported instances, the caller claims they are representing Rochelle Municipal Utilities.  Customers are then told they are behind on their electric bill and must make a payment immediately to the caller.

RMU is urging customers not to respond to these fake calls.  Customers who have received such calls can report them to the Attorney General Office's Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-386-5438 or the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

RMU wants to warn customers to be aware of these calls and suggests the following tips if such a call is received:

*Never reveal your credit card and/or bank information to anyone unless you are certain the contact is legitimate.  Know who you are dealing with.

*If the caller insists you complete a transaction, hang up immediately.  RMU representatives do not conduct business in this manner.

In order to improve customer service and convenience, RMU is going to install automated entry doors at the Customer Service office located downtown at 333 Lincoln Highway.  During this seond phase of the project, two new doors will be installed and there will be no access to the customer office for one day.  The project is scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 2011 beginning at 7:00 a.m.  There will be no access to the customer service office thoughout the entire day, but you will be able to reach our Customer Service Representatives by telephone at 815-562-4155.  Payments can be made though one of our two drop box locations or on-line.

We are sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call the RMU Customer Service office at 815-562-4155.

RMU internet service customers

On Saturday September 3^rd the RMU communications internet access provider will be making system upgrades to the internet access connection. System upgrades which may affect service at times; are scheduled to start on September 3, at 11:45 PM and lasting approximately three (3) hours, until 3:45 AM on September 4, 2011.

These upgrades will involve newer redundancy in some of the network services.

Please report any issues after the completion time to 815-562-2222 or via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank you for your continued business.

RMU Communications Department. 

RMU endorses energy efficiency and conservation. Beginning June 1, Rochelle Municipal Utilities will offer two energy conservation incentive programs. RMU customers can sign up at the RMU Customer Service Office located at 333 Lincoln Highway. The Residential Appliance Incentive Program is designed to assist our residential customers with making their home more energy efficient and reduce our electric demand. RMU will give the customer a portion of the predicted energy savings from the use of approved energy saving appliances.

The Illinois Municipal Utility Agency recently selected Anna O'Malley, a senior at Rochelle High School as one of four winners in this year's 2011 IMUA Scholarship Program essay competition. The winning essays were chosen from among 44 entries submitted by eligible high school seniors statewide. Anna will receive a framed certificate and a $500 award from IMUA.

William Charles Energy, LLC and Rochelle Municipal Utilities Jointly Announce a New Landfill-Gas-To-Energy Facility in Rochelle, IL.

In cooperation with RMU and Rochelle Waste Disposal, William Charles Energy, LLC is developing the Rochelle Energy Center, a new state-of-the-art 4.8 megawatt renewable energy facility located at Rochelle Municipal Landfill #2 in Rochelle, IL. RMU will purchase the power produced at the energy center and will retain all of the renewable energy credits associated with the electricity production. The plant is expected to achieve commercial operation in late 2011. A public groundbreaking event has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on April 25th, 2011.