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Detroit Thermal works to improve, but prices steam some customers.

Publication: Crain's Detroit Business
Publication Date: 08-MAR-04 		Format: Online
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: Detroit Thermal works to improve, but prices steam some customers.(News)

Article Excerpt
Byline: Amy Lane

A year into owning Detroit's century-old district steam system, Detroit Thermal L.L.C. is moving forward with plans to turn the downtown business into a modernized, efficient and profitable part of the city's resurgence.

But proposed rates to support the operations and help finance a $22.7 million capital-improvement plan have elevated some building owners' temperatures.

"Heat is a very expensive proposition in Detroit. It's something that is a very important component in cost control,'' said Dave Marvin, a Lansing attorney who represents the owners of Detroit's Buhl Building, First National Building, Penobscot Building and Michigan Building. "We want them to survive, and also want them to not overcharge us.''

Detroit Thermal, which in January 2003 bought the 39-mile system from Detroit Edison Co., is trying to balance the rates it needs to address costs of running the system, with a price that will keep its existing customers and attract new ones. The system provides steam to heat and cool more than 130 business, government and educational customers in and around Detroit's downtown business district, from casinos to office buildings and Wayne State University to Henry Ford Health System.

Detroit Thermal President and General...

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