On May 17, 2001, President George W. Bush toured District Energy St. Paul before delivering his first major

Front row from left to right: Anders Rydaker, District Energy St. Paul; President George W.Bush, Administrator Christie Todd Whitman, EPA; Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman; Mike Burns, District Energy St. Paul; Back row from left to right: Rob Thornton, IDEA; Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham; Jim Rogers, Cinergy.

energy policy address to the nation. In that address, the President called District Energy a model of energy efficiency, diversity and affordability.

President Bush’s praise reflects the hard work of District Energy’s dedicated employees and visionary board of directors. Thanks to their efforts and District Energy’s innovative technology, the company has kept prices low and stable while implementing strategies to produce clean, efficient energy.

District Energy was created in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s to provide reliable, cost-effective heat in a northern metropolitan area. Today, District Energy’s heating system is the largest of its kind in North America. The company currently serves more than 475 commercial, industrial and residential buildings in downtown St. Paul and adjacent areas. Many of those same customers have also connected to its district cooling system.