hpuc : story

OUR SERVICES

The Hibbing Public Utilities owns and operates a cogenerating power plant which provides both steam and electricity for distribution to our service area. The Utility also furnishes water and natural gas services to the City of Hibbing proper. We have served the City of Hibbing from our present location since 1919. In 1895 the City Water and Light Department was formed, and 1995 was our 100th year.

WATER
Our water system consists of 71 miles of distribution mains which convey water from ten wells in the system to our service area. Last year we delivered 545 million gallons of water to our customers. (for more information, click HERE)

NATURAL GAS
In the Gas Department 547 million cubic feet of gas was distributed last year. This was conveyed to our customers through 60 miles of distribution mains. We receive our gas through a connection with Northern Natural Gas and supplement this from a liquid propane vaporizing system at our Peak Shaving Plant south of town. (for more information, click HERE)

ELECTRICAL
The Utility's main power generating plant is located near the downtown business district. The plant burns coal in its three boilers which have a total combined output capacity of 400,000 pounds of steam per hour. This steam is then used by three turbo-generators to supply the system with electrical power. These three generators have a total connected load capability of 31 megawatts. Over the last year, the City of Hibbing used more than 110 million kilowatt-hours of electricity which is distributed over 96 miles of power lines. The Utility supplements the City's electrical needs by brokering energy over the MAPP System. (for more information, click HERE)

STEAM
A portion of the steam used in the turbo-generators can be extracted from the machine and fed into a steam distribution system for space or water heating by our customers. This distribution system consists of 17 miles of supply pipe to feed industrial, business, and residential customers. Last year 331 million pounds of steam were used by our customers. Our plant has the capability of supplying 301,000 pounds (l5PSI, 250 ° F) of steam per hour into this system. (for more information, click HERE)

The Hibbing Public Utilities has grown with the City of Hibbing since we first came into operation in 1895. Our main concern now, as it was then, is to provide steady, reliable, utility service to the people and businesses of Hibbing.

Total Customers

Service       Residential         Commercial
Electrical       6205                    841
Water           5199                    458
Gas               2570                    285
Steam           1208                     215