Steam transition facts
Current steam customers include:
- Downtown-area businesses
- Medical service providers
- Large, multi-unit residential facilities
- Various government offices
- Churches
In 1985, the utility served 124 customers compared with 75 today.
- Expected hikes in natural gas rates will increase steam production costs.
- PeaceHealth, the steam utility's largest customer, has shifted the bulk of its operations to the Sacred Heart
Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, and will likely continue reducing its University District facility
steam requirements.
- The aging steam distribution system no longer distributes steam efficiently to customers. Significant capital
investments would be required under any future operating scenario.
Each of these challenges will shift a greater portion of the system operating costs onto the remaining customers,
pushing steam costs above what could be considered competitive compared with other fuel alternatives.