Hibbing Public Utilities

10/09/2026

❄Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is in effect! ❄

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) helps residential customers maintain their primary heating service between October 1st and April 30th.

To receive Cold Weather Rule protection, you must contact HPU, set up an approved payment plan, and keep your payments current under that plan.

Contact HPU at least one week before your scheduled disconnect date to allow time to establish a payment plan.

Do not wait until disconnect day! If you do not contact HPU or do not keep your payment plan, your service may still be disconnected.

To learn more about MN’s Cold Weather Rule, check out the following MN PUC article: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/shut-off-protection/

09/29/2026

HPU Employee Spotlight – September 2026

This month, we are proud to recognize HPU’s Meter Tech Crew Lead Steve Jesperson for an impressive 26 years of service with HPU!

Over the course of his career, Steve has served in several roles, including 12 years of working in the Power Plant before moving into meter operations. Today, Steve is HPU’s Meter Tech Crew Lead, helping support the day-to-day work that keeps HPU’s meters accurate and efficient.

Steve is a lifelong Ranger, originally from Cherry. Outside of work, family is an important part of his life. He is the proud father of three daughters and grandfather to 10 grandchildren (and counting!).

When asked what he enjoys most about working at HPU, he pointed to the friendships he has developed with coworkers throughout the years.

We are grateful for his 26 years of dedication to HPU and the community of Hibbing.

Please join us in congratulating him on 26 years with HPU.

09/17/2026

💲Grant-Funded Well Inspection – Source Water Protection 💧🛡

From Hibbing’s water source, through treatment, and across the distribution system, HPU is committed to protecting safe drinking water for our customers. As projects continue across the system, HPU is highlighting some recent work focused on protecting Hibbing’s water at its source.

HPU was able to partner with the Minnesota Department of Health to help protect Hibbing’s groundwater from possible contamination. For this work, HPU received funding from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to inspect Municipal Well 2B.

Well inspections are an important part of routine maintenance. HPU made this inspection a high priority because of the well’s age and recent performance concerns.

This grant-funded work will help HPU better understand the condition of the municipal Well 2B and plan for additional maintenance needed to keep Hibbing’s drinking water safe and reliable.

09/11/2026

Indoor Electric Meters Replacement Coming Oct 1st!

Schedule electric replacement today! https://huntelectric.setmore.com/

Hibbing Public Utilities and Hunt Electric are moving to indoor electric meter replacements beginning October 1st.

Hunt Electric has contacted eligible customers through the first round of mailing this week. If you received a letter, please respond and schedule your replacement as soon as possible.

Project Quick Facts:
• Indoor electric meter replacements will begin October 1st.
• Hunt Electric will complete the installations.
• A customer or representative 18 years of age or older must be present for the appointment.
• The non-compliance fee WILL NOT be assessed until the project is substantially complete.

Replacing these meters is an important step in completing HPU’s system-wide AMI upgrade. Review project details and frequently asked questions at https://hpuc.com/ami-meter-upgrades-2026/.

09/04/2026

AMI Replacements Update – Water Meter Non-Compliance Fee Implemented Oct. 1st

Schedule your water meter replacement today with HPU! – 218-262-7700

HPU is completing the final phase of its water meter replacements as part of the AMI Meter Upgrade Project. HPU staff will take over installation of the remaining ~300 water meters across Hibbing’s water system.

Customers who have been contacted by HPU and have not yet completed their meter replacements should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. A $50 Meter Non-Compliance Fee will be added to non-compliant water accounts starting Oct. 1st.

HPU’s goal is to complete every meter replacement without assessing a fee. However, outdated meters require additional staff time. The $50 fee will help recover a portion of these added costs for non-compliant individuals rather than passing them on to all utility customers.

Keep up to date with project progress and see FAQ's at https://hpuc.com/ami-meter-upgrades-2026/

09/04/2026

**9/3 Power Restored**

10:30 power has been restored to all customers. If you still have a power problem, please report to https://hpuc.com/report-a-problem/ .

8:50PM: customers on 41st St. will still be impacted; all other services restored. Report any power problems if not on 41st St. to https://hpuc.com/report-a-problem/ ETR is up to 2 hrs. for those on 41st St.

8:28PM: our crew is patrolling lines. We should have 1,500 of the 3,000 out restored shortly. Updating to this post as progress is made.

7:50 Hibbing Public Utilities' line crew is responding to a reported power outage. More information will be updated to this post as we can. Please report to https://hpuc.com/report-a-problem/ if you continue to experience a power problem.

HAVING A PROBLEM? OUTAGES HPU has been serving the community since 1894. Working hand in hand with city members to make the best possible experience for all Hibbing residents. Report Outage Report Another Problem FREQUENTLY SOLVED PROBLEMS Why won't my gas turn on?ISN’T WORKING? There is no power ...

09/01/2026

⚡Planned Power Outage – Thursday, September 3rd⚡

Hibbing Public Utilities will conduct a planned power outage on Thursday, September 3rd, to replace outdated overhead electrical equipment.

📍Affected Area:1900 Block between 7th & 8th Ave. E (~8 customers)

⏰Outage Start Time: 8:30 am (expected duration of 1 hour)

Any updates to the above information will be communicated through this post and the HPU Website.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this work.

08/28/2026

👩‍🎓👷Recognizing Our 2026 Summer Students👷👩‍🎓

Each year, HPU offers local high school and college students the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience while learning more about careers in the utility industry.

We had the privilege of working with 23 dedicated students this summer and watching them grow in both experience and confidence. Their work supported a wide range of HPU activities, including vegetation management, AMI radio installation, GIS data collection, accounts payable assistance, and more.

Unfortunately, we were not able to get a photo of all our students from this summer, as some departed for college prior to this week.

As they all return to school, we wish each of our students the very best. We look forward to seeing where their education, experience, and talents take them next!

08/21/2026

HPU Employee Spotlight – August 2026

This month, we are proud to recognize HPU’s Heat Crew Foreman Paul Boswell for an incredible 33 years of service with HPU!

Paul began his career with HPU in 1993 after responding to a newspaper ad while looking for work that would keep him closer to home. Paul started with 13 years at the Power Plant and has spent the last 20 years with the Heat Crew. Paul has been the foreman of the HPU Heat Crew for the last 7 years.

When asked what he enjoys most about working at HPU, Paul said it’s the opportunity to help customers across his community.

We are grateful for Paul’s 33 years of dedication and service to HPU, as well as his service to our country as a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.

👏Please join us in recognizing Paul for his many years of service!

08/10/2026

💧🚧Planned Water Outage – August 13th & 14th🚧💧

Hibbing Public Utilities will continue site preparation for the 4th Ave. E and 4th Ave. W Lead Removal and Watermain Replacement Projects with work that requires temporary, planned water outages.

Outage Details:
Dates: Thursday, August 13th & Friday, August 14th

Start Time: 8:00 am for both days. Service is expected to be restored in the late afternoon of each day.

Customers Impacted: The outage area will include the 2000 Block of 3rd, 4th, & 5th Ave. W and Grant St. across both days. (~35 customers).

If you have any questions regarding the outage or project, please contact HPU at 218-262-7700.