Lowertown Ballpark to Use Both District Energy and Xcel Energy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 18 2014

CONTACT:
Brad Meyer
brad.meyer@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-894-3258 (c)                                                                   

  Lowertown Ballpark to Use Both District Energy and Xcel Energy

 Companies partner with Saint Paul to provide a mix of energy sources for new facility

SAINT PAUL – The City of Saint Paul announced today that the new Lowertown Ballpark will be served by both District Energy St. Paul and Xcel Energy.  The two companies will partner to provide a mix of energy sources for the project. 

District Energy St. Paul will supply the ballpark with both chilled and hot water to heat and cool interior areas of the ballpark.  Xcel Energy will provide all of the electrical energy to power outlets, interior lights, field lighting, the scoreboard, and other electrical elements.  Xcel will also provide natural gas that will be used to cook food at the concession stands. 

“It was important for us to bring together Xcel and District Energy to be part of the new ballpark,” said Mike Hahm, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Saint Paul.  “We want this to be a place to showcase innovative amenities and partnerships that help make the ballpark an important project for Lowertown and the City of Saint Paul.”

 Both companies have been involved in the design and planning process to help make the new ballpark as energy-efficient as possible.

 “We are excited to leverage the efficiencies of our production and distribution system and provide renewable, reliable energy to the Lowertown Ballpark,” said Ken Smith, District Energy President and CEO.  “We are particularly excited to incorporate customized, emerging technologies that will help the ballpark minimize both construction and operating costs.”

“Xcel Energy is happy to be a partner with the City of St. Paul, District Energy St. Paul, and many others on the Lowertown Ballpark project,” said Xcel Energy Regional Vice President Laura McCarten. “Our Energy Design Assistance Program will maximize energy efficiency throughout the ballpark, and our $550,000 investment in a solar energy array is a renewable energy home run.  Of course, the ballpark also will benefit as a customer of the nation’s number one wind energy provider and from our diverse energy supply, which is more than 50% carbon-free.”

About the Lowertown Ballpark
The Lowertown Ballpark will be home to the Saint Paul Saints and amateur baseball teams from across the region.  It is expected to bring 400,000 people per year to downtown Saint Paul and will have a yearly economic impact in the millions of dollars.  The project is expected to create 500 full- and part-time jobs and will become a center for statewide youth and amateur sporting events.  To learn more, please visit www.lowertownballpark.com.

About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages more than 170 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 25 city-operated recreation centers, four municipal golf courses, more than 100 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, and Great River Passage – which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul’s more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront.  For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.5 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies in eight Western and Midwestern states.  Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis.  More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

About District Energy St. Paul
District Energy St. Paul is a leader in community energy, providing Saint Paul with reliable and sustainable heating and cooling services.  As one of Saint Paul’s best kept secrets, District Energy remains committed to excellence in service, energy efficiency, community outreach, and technology innovation to benefit our customers and the environment. 

 

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