The history behind the St. Louis District Steam System stretches as far back as 1904 when the power plant was constructed to provide electricity for the St. Louis World’s Fair. Later in the early 1900s, a local utility began marketing a new product in St. Louis called electricity. In order to gain acceptance by their customers to use electricity for lighting, they developed a network of steam pipes in the downtown area to serve the heating needs of their potential customers. In 1923, the 22-mile grid system was interconnected to a power plant and the District Steam System was formed as we know it today.

The original franchise for the Baltimore District Steam System was issued in 1901. The start of this district steam system was heavily focused to provide an ammonia refrigeration loop for downtown Baltimore. Ongoing in its development the franchise was transferred to a local utility in 1929. The system as we know it. was again transferred in 1975. In February of 1985, an energy development company was selected by the local government, the state public service commission, and the local gas and electric company to purchase, operate and manage the existing district steam system serving the central business area of downtown Baltimore.

Historically, the operations in St. Louis and Baltimore were outside of each utility’s main business activity of providing reliable production and distribution of low-cost electricity. This has led to a declining trend of their viability. The basic goal of the revitalization business plan for each city has been to provide reliable and quality service at stable steam prices over the long term. This is being accomplished through a detailed business plan that. includes three fundamental actions:

1. Switching to solid fuel for steam production.
2. Capital investment which improves overall operating efficiency.
3. The addition of new customers that will provide for a sharing of fixed costs over a larger customer base.

Units: Dual