At New Richmond Utilities, we believe that nothing is as important to the future of the community as our young citizens. We pride ourselves on our commitment to energy and safety education in New Richmond.

Whether it’s through the classroom or the community, we strive to provide a strong network of information to further educate community members about electric and water subjects and how it relates to customers both young and old.

As part of our ongoing educational efforts, New Richmond Utilities provides educational materials and presentations to schools, service groups and seniors. We also provide teaching units, videos, publications and workshops to interested groups all year long.

The following are just a few examples of our energy and safety education tools.

• National Theatre For Children
• powerTOWN
• Coloring Books, Crayons and stickers displayed in the office for children
• Informational booklets displayed in the office

Water Week Presentations

The week of May 1st - May 6th is Water Week throughout Wisconsin. New Richmond Utilities made several presentations at East Elementary and St. Mary's to the 4th and 5th grade classes. Rick Powers, Water Superintendent and Dennis Holtz, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent from New Richmond Utilities explained how our water and wastewater systems work here in New Richmond. The water department also brought their trucks and equipment to the school so the students could get a first hand look at how they do their jobs. The Utilities have done this at East Elementary and St. Mary's for several years and it is a good learning experience for the 4th and 5th grade classes.

Energy Cycle
The Energy Cycle is a bicycle-powered generator that teaches basic scientific concepts related to the conversion of energy from one form to another and its efficient use for lighting, heating, and transportation. These concepts become tangible as the cyclist literally feels the effort required to light a bulb, heat water, or spin a motor.

KEEP scholarships
The utility provides scholarships for local teachers to attend KEEP — the statewide K-12 Energy Education Program. KEEP is a 16-hour in-service that helps teachers integrate hands-on energy education activities into their classrooms. The program also demonstrates how teachers can use energy education to ensure that their students meet Wisconsin academic standards.

KEEP makes the sometimes-intimidating topic of energy understandable to students of all ages. Second graders can learn about the coal mining process as they “find resources” in chocolate chip cookies. Middle school students can experiment with properties of motors by modeling an electric motor. High school students can discuss “energy futures” by studying energy trends and new technologies.

Local Circuit
The Local Circuit is a newsletter designed to provide our residential customers with information about programs and services as well as energy efficiency. This publication is sent quarterly and reaches all of our customers.

National Theatre for Children
Each year, the utility sponsors two live theatre shows presented by the Minneapolis-based National Theatre for Children! (NTC). NTC tours the United States presenting lively, interactive educational shows.

NTC is dedicated to educating young people on important and timely energy-related topics. Coined with printed curriculum materials and teacher guides, their imaginative and customized presentations effectively reach the students, teachers and parents.

powerTOWN
New Richmond Utilities has a powerTOWN interactive display that is used to present programs to local schools.

The eight-foot powerTOWN educational model makes a lasting impression at safety presentations. The crackle of a high voltage electrical arc reinforces electrical safety messages that school-age audiences will not soon forget.

This realistic tool demonstrates the effects of:

• Contacting overhead lines by an antenna
• Contacting overhead lines by a kite
• Contacting overhead lines by a metal pipe
• Contacting overhead lines by a tree
• Contacting a padmount transformer
• Energizing a vehicle by a downed overhead line
• Energizing a metal fence by a downed overhead line
• Exploding a pole mount transformer
• Contacting substation transformers
• Contacting overhead line with a sailboat mast
• Contacting underground power cable with a backhoe
• "Call Before You Dig"