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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 5/19/2015
SUBJECT: Introducing Duluth Energy Systems
BY: Daniel Fanning, Communications & Policy Director - Mayor's Office
SUBJECT: Introducing Duluth Energy Systems
BY: Daniel Fanning, Communications & Policy Director - Mayor's Office
Introducing Duluth Energy Systems
[Duluth, MN] This morning the City of Duluth and its service partner, Ever-Green Energy, unveiled the new name for the community district energy system, Duluth Energy Systems. The system provides heat to approximately 170 buildings in the downtown and Canal Park business districts and was formerly doing business as Duluth Steam.
“We believe the new brand ‘Duluth Energy Systems’ will connect with more people and make them aware of this important city-owned asset. We want people to know about this system and about its potential to become an incredible model of efficiency, reliability and sustainability,” says Jim Green, General Manager.
In 2013, Ever-Green Energy and the City of Duluth introduced a Master Plan to modernize this 83-year old system. The most crucial first step is updating the steam distribution system to hot water, which will drastically increase efficiency and allow for future integration of renewable energy. The City of Duluth has been busy at the Minnesota state legislature this session in an effort to secure funds for this transition. The timing is crucial with the Superior Street construction slated for 2017. Completing this phase of the distribution upgrade during the Superior Street work will save up to 40% of project costs.
“The City of Duluth continues to make investments that will strengthen our core infrastructure and help support development that best serves our constituents. Superior Street is a top priority and completing the Duluth Energy Systems work in parallel will save the City’s businesses and residents significant costs for the project,” states Dave Montgomery, City of Duluth’s Chief Administrative Officer.
District energy systems are a crucial part of the world’s most energy efficient cities. Helping those communities operate more efficiently, use less energy and resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide more cost-effective energy to their residents, businesses, and many crucial public and health care institutions.
Ken Smith, CEO of Ever-Green Energy shared, “Duluth has a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape the energy infrastructure serving the core of this great city. With strong local leadership, and a wealth of technical resources and community partners, Duluth has all the necessary elements to make their vision a reality.”
The team behind Duluth Energy Systems will continue to work toward the long-term vision for the system, which will help Duluth lower its carbon profile, provide greater rate stability, and show other communities how to leverage these public assets for a greater good.
“We know that Duluth can be a leader in the national energy conversation,” said Mayor Don Ness. “We have a solid foundation with this city infrastructure, but now is the time to modernize the system and showcase what Duluth can accomplish with energy innovation and partnership.”
More information on Duluth Energy Systems can be found at Duluthenergysystems.com. For additional information, please contact Nina Axelson, Ever-Green Energy, at (612) 695-1288, Nina.axelson@ever-greenenergy.com or Daniel Fanning, City of Duluth, at (218) 730-5307, dfanning@duluthmn.gov
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Delivering a reliable energy future to Duluth