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Chronological List of District Heating
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The Wilkes-Barre Heat, Light and Motor Company was incorporated on April 28, 1886 and began supplying steam at 4:30 pm on November 11, 1880..
The company was consolidated into the Wilkes Barre Co., No 2 on May 31, 1910, which in turn was acquired by Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L) on August 23, 1923.
PP&L sold the Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat system to the Scranton-Spring Brook Water Services company in November 1951, and in turn was sold to the Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation in 1953.
Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation was acquired by the General Waterworks Company in 1966 and it in turn became part of Institutional Utilities Corporation. All of these firms had the same management prior to their merger. General Waterworks petitioned the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in February 1972 to allow it to shut down the Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat and others that it owned, but shortly thereafter changed its mind and offered to sell the firms. The heating companies were sold to the Institutional Services Industries, Inc. in March 1972, a newly-incorporated firmed owned by Arthur C. Crummins, who was also the head of the Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation. Crimmins and two other purchased the $4 million operation for $1 apiece plus a $5 million note
Hurricane Agnes caused massive flooding in Wilkes-Barre in June 1972 that significantly damaged the steam heat system.
Institutional Services Industries declared bankruptcy in 1972 and the Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company was declared bankrupt in June 1973 and it was sold on August 16, 1973 to Modular Comfort Services.
The Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Authority was formed June 22, 1976 when the city bought the system for $650,000.
The steam heat authority announced in January 1991 that it would cease operations in May 1991, at the time of the announcement the number of customers had dwindled to 52.
References
1894 "Superintendent's Report," Wilkes-Barre
Times, July 13, 1893, Page 8.
Some Interesting Figures About the Wilkes-Barre Heat, Light and Motor Co.
Has 323 accounts.
1909 A
history of Wilkes-Barré, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Volume
1.
Page 16: 1886 November 11. Wilkes-Barre warmed for the first time by steam
heat.
1910 "Important
Deal Involves Gas Co.," The Times Leader, April 16, 1910,
Page 9
Three local light Companies and Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Service to be
managed by Susquehanna Railway, Light and Power Company.
1913 "To
Steam Heat Customers," The Times Leader, June 4, 1913, Page
8
Steam meters must be installed.
1929 A
history of Wilkes-Barré, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Volume
4.
2008 The next public utility in point of time to extend its services to
the public was the Wilkes-Barre Heat, Light and Motor Company, chartered
April 28, 1886, its corporators being the following: John G. Wood, Joseph
Birbeck, J. J. Robbins, B. G. Carpenter, John J. Shonk, George
W. vShonk and Albert S. Orr.
Owing to the limited area of the city and the compactness of building
within these limits, the new venture, like its predecessors, early became
a financial success and was pointed to in various parts of the country as
one of the few systems where steam for heating purposes could be
successfully carried in especially constructed piping beneath the surface
of streets of a municipality.
1951 "Scranton-Spring
Brook Water Co. Buys Eight Gas-Manufacturing Properties from PP&L
Firm," The Pocono Record, November 10, 1951, Page 22.
As well as the steam heat plant in Wilkes-Barre.
1953 The Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat System was sold to the Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation on December 18, 1953. The Public Utility Commission approved this sale in April 1954.
1954 "Water
Company Steam Heat Sale Approved," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader,
April 7, 1954, Page 3.
The Public Utility Commission has approved sale of the Scranton-Spring
Brook Water Service Company's steam heat system in Wilkes-Barre to the new
Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company for $366,000.
According, to the PUC order issued yesterday, the new firm, a unit of the
Lewis Jones Management Company of Philadelphia will pay pay $150,000 for
the plant serving 509 customers and $26,000 for fuel, materials and
supplies.
Scranton-Spring Brook's rates will be adopted by the new operating
company, the PUC was told. There were no protests to the sale at a hearing
in Wilkes-Barre on March 10.
The steam heat system was sold, Scranton-Spring Brook said, so that it can
devote itself entirely to its gas, and water service operations. The
company furnishes water to 130,500 consumers and gas to 70,300 users,
chiefly in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.
In addition to approving the sale, on which agreement was reached late
last year, the PUC formally approved incorporation of Wilkes-Barre Steam
Heat and authorized it to furnish service in the city.
1957 Pennsylvania
Power and Light Company Subsidiary and Predecessor Companies, Hagley
Museum and Library
1019. The Wilkes-Barre Co., No. 3 was incorporated 29 June 1910 following
the consolidation and merger of The Wilkes Barre Co., No.1 and the Wilkes
Barre Gas and Electric Co. Shortly thereafter, the company acquired the
stock and assets of The Standard Electric Co. of Parsons, PA and that of
The Anthracite Electric Light, Heat and Power Co. The Wilkes-Barre Co.,
No. 3 supplied gas, electric lighting, and steam heating in the City of
Wilkes-Barre and its business expanded rapidly. In 1915 the United Gas
& Electrical Engineering Corp. of New York obtained control of the
company. In 1921 Lehigh Power Securities Corp. acquired the company’s
stock. On 23 August 1923 the company was merged into Pennsylvania Power
& Light Co.
1024 The Wilkes Barre Heat, Light and Motor Company was incorporated 28
April 1886 to supply steam heating in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County.
Shortly after its incorporation it constructed a steam heating plant on
the corner of Bennett and North Washington Streets. The company’s first
major contract was to heat the Court House in Wilkes-Barre. Its
distribution system steadily grew and by 1893 business was go good that
the company found it necessary to construct another plant, this time on
Gildersleeve Street. This plant was destroyed by a fire in 1908, but was
quickly rebuilt. On 31 May 1910 the company was consolidated and merged
with The Wilkes Barre Co., No. 1, and three other companies to form The
Wilkes Barre Co., No. 2
1960 District Heating
45(4)140 (April 1960)
Harrisburg, Pa. No word has been received on the results of the
hearing before the PUC on December 11 of the Wilkes-Barre City Steam Heat
Copany requesting approval of a proposed 20 per cent increase ($95,200 of
its annual charges to 485 customers.
1966 The
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 12, 1966, Page 12 | Part
2 |
Management of Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corp. announced it is
"discussing" with General Waterworks Corp. the purchase of PUIC stock at
$20 a share from shareholders, provided 80 percent of the outstanding
shares are tendered for purchase. PUIC had 93,051 shares outstanding March
31, 1964. It is a holding company which owns Overbrook Steam Heat Co.,
Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Co. and Scranton Steam Heat Co.
1967 "Utilities:
Marriage Inside the Family," Time (November 10, 1967)
International Utilities Corp. and General Waterworks Corp.
1956 "PP&L Sells Scranton Steam Heating Unit," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, August 8, 1956, Page 1.
1966 "1886
City Steam Convinced Doubters," The Times Leader, November
10, 1966, Page 20.
At 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 1886, steam heat was let into the
pipeline, previously laid in a limited portion of the city.
1971 "Pennsylvania
Utilities Investment Corp.," District Heating 56(3):45 (Winter
1971)
The Corporation's The Corporation’s steam heating facility in
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company, has embarked on a
five-year expansion plan which will eventually replace all of the steam
lines in the city. Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat was purchased by General
Waterworks of Philadelphia (a subsidiary of Pennsylvania Utilities
Investment Corporation) in 1965.
Under the five-year plan, all profits will be turned back into the
business for general improvements, according to Mr. Harry Hersker, General
Manager for the Wilkes-Barre Company.
The W-B system, which supplies heat to 450 customers (most of them private
residences), has approximately 4¾ miles of underground steam lines, some
of which are 80 years old. Since 1966, about 5,000 ft of line have been
replaced at an approximate cost of $200,000.
During 1971 it is expected that about $120,000 will be spent on a new line
approximately 3000 ft in length. This work does not include spot repairs
which will be made.
On new lines installed, precautions will be taken to guarantee longer
life—they will be well insulated, encased in concrete, and cathodically
protected.
1972 "Steam Heat Company Plans to Abandon Its Service Here at End of Current Season," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, February 7, 1972, Page 3.
1972 "First Steam Heat Firm Here Chartered in 1886," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, February 8, 1972, Page 21.
1972 "Firm Postpones Plans to Abandon Steam Heat Service in 5 Towns," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 1, 1972, Page 3.
1972 "Steam
Heat Firm's 1971 Loss $38,022," Times-Leader, March 4, 1972,
Page 16.
Company to Say in Business, but Still Up For sale.
1972 "International
Buys Steam Heat Plants," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March
13, 1972, Page 2.
Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Co. has 413 customers.
1972 "Utility
Rules Out Importing Trash to Area," The Times Leader, March
21, 1972, Page 11.
Steam heat firm says local garbage sufficient.
1972 "Heating Firm to Try Cutting Costs," Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 22, 1972, Page 5.
1972 "Steam Heat Firms File Bankruptcy Petitions in Phila.," Times-Leader, November 9, 1972, Page 1 | Part 3 |
1973 "Feeling the Chill: Many Steam-Heat Companies Bemoan Loss of Customers, New Air Standards," The Wall Street Journal, January 10, 1973, Page 34.
1973 "A
Case in Point," District Heating 58(3):6-7 (Winter
January-February 1973)
Reprint of the above article from the Wall Street Journal.
1973 Ric-Wil,
v. First Pennsylvania Banking Trust, 352 F.Supp. 782 (ED Pa. 1973)
January 5, 1973
Arthur C. Crimmins is the President of Pennsylvania Utilities Investment
Corporation ("PUIC"), a corporation currently in Chapter XI bankruptcy
proceedings.
1973 "Continued
Service Through '74 Assured Steam Heat Patrons," The
Times-Tribune, February 21, 1973, Page 3.
Arthur C. Crimmins of Wilmington, Del., president of the bankrupt ISI
parent company, has sold his share in the three-man corporation for $1,
which is exactly what he paid for the Philadelphia General Water Works for
it in March 1972.
Controversy still surrounds ISI's takeover of General Water Works when Mr.
Crimmins and two other purchased a $4 million operation for $1 apiece plus
a $5 million note.
1973 "Steam Heat Owners Must Post $125,000 in 10 days," Times Leader, May 20, 1973, Page B1 | Part 2 |.
1973 "Steam Heat Company Switched from Oil Back to Coal About October 6," Times Leader, November 11, 1973, Page 13.| Part 2 |
1973 In
Re Lewis Jones, Inc., 369 F. Supp. 111 (E.D. Pa. 1973), November 30,
1973.
In June 1972 the steam heat system of Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Company
suffered extensive damage as a result of the devastating floods which
inundated portions of the Commonwealth. On August 18, 1972, the
Commonwealth loaned $2,500,000 to the City of Wilkes Barre Industrial
Development Authority ("Authority") which executed a note in that amount,
dated August 18, 1972, payable to the Commonwealth. In the note the
Authority agreed that it would cause the loan proceeds to be loaned,
concurrently, to Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Company, Public Utilities
Investment Corporation ("PUIC") and International Service Industries, Inc.
("ISI"), and it would require these corporations "to use the loan proceeds
to refurbish and/or replace the flood-damaged boilers and distribution
*113 system" of Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Company.
On August 18, 1972, the Authority loaned the $2,500,000 to Wilkes Barre
Steam Heat Company, PUIC, and ISI, which corporations executed a note in
that amount payable to the Authority. In the note, PUIC, ISI and Wilkes
Barre Steam Heat Company agreed to "use the loan proceeds to refurbish
and/or replace the flood-damaged boilers and distribution system" of
Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Company. On the same day, the Authority assigned
to the Commonwealth, without recourse, the note executed by Wilkes Barre
Steam Heat Company, ISI and PUIC. Also, the same day, PUIC and the Bank
entered into an agreement labeled "Escrow Agreement," whereby PUIC agreed
to deposit the proceeds of the $2,500,000 loan with the Bank in an "Escrow
Deposit," which funds would be disbursed by the Bank to a designated payee
only upon receipt of a voucher from PUIC incorporating a certification
that the requested disbursement was to be used for the purposes contained
in the note from the Authority to the Commonwealth and signed by the
President of PUIC (Arthur C. Crimmins), the Secretary of Commerce of the
Commonwealth (Walter G. Arader), or their designated representatives. The
"Escrow Agreement" was signed by PUIC and the Bank and consented to in
writing by Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Company and ISI. The account set up by
the Bank pursuant to agreement was, and still is, "Public Utilities
Investment Corporation Wilkes Barre Steam Heat Co. Escrow Account."
1974 Decisions
of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission 47
Pages 338-349: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission v.
Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company, Rate Investigation Docket No. 47, January
15, 1974.
Page 340: On June 18, 1973, Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company was
adjudicated bankrupt in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania. Upon hearing held August 16, 1973, the Court
determined that the bid made by Modular Energy Systems, Inc., was the most
advantageous to the unsecured creditors of the bankrupt. By order dated
August 20, 1973, the Court authorized the sale of sale of all assets, real
and personal, of Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company (excluding cash) to the
aforementioned nominee. Thereafter, the nominee formed a limited
partnership to be known as Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company.
Page 341: In 1951, Pennsylvania Power and Light sold certain steam
facilities to Scranton Spring Brook Water Service Company. The steam
facilities were purchased from the latter company on December 18, 1953, by
Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation (PUIC), respondent's parent
company at that time. Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company was incorporated
under the laws of the Commonwealth on April 6 , 1954 .
PUIC was a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Waterworks Corporation,
which in turn was a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Utilities
Corporation. On March 9, 1972, International Service Industries
acquired 100 percent common stock ownership of PUIC. Since November
10, 1972, respondent was in receivership, under control of the United
States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,
subsequently it was adjudicated bankrupt on June 18, 1973 and on July 26,
1973 all its assets were sold.
At June 30, 1972, respondent supplied steam heat service to 362 customers.
1973 P.U.C.
et al. v. Gen. Waterworks Corp. et al 300 A.2d 280 January 31, 1973
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v.
General Waterworks Corporation; International Service Industries, Inc.;
Business Service, Inc.; Energy Supply, Inc.; Steam Heat Services, Inc.;
and Arthur G. Crimmins.
1973 Wilkes-Barre
Urban Renewal Project: Environmental Impact Statement, June
18, 1973
The Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Company along with four other steam companies
is owned by the Pennsylvania Utilities Investment Corporation, a
subsidiary of International Service Industries, Inc. At present
International Service Industries, Inc. have declared bankruptcy and are in
the hands of the receivers.
1973 "Heat Firm Sold for $240,000 and Repayment of $2.5 million loan," Times Leader, August 16, 1973, Page 1.
1976 "Steam
Heat Purchase," Evening Journal, June 9, 1976, Page 17.
The city of Wilkes-Barre yesterday bought the financially-troubled
Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Co. The purchase price was $650,000 the same
amount the council authorized for the expenditure last March..
1977 International
Boiler Works v. General Waterworks, Supreme Court of Delaware, Jan
19, 1977.
Defendant controls 99.9% of the shares of Pennsylvania Utilities
Investment Corporation which in turn controls 100% of the shares of
Scranton Steam Heat Company.
General Waterworks Heating Division
1983 "Eastern
Pennsylvania City to Use First U.S. Fluid Bed Boiler in District Heating
System Buring Anthracite Mining Waste (CULM) as Low Cost Fuel, District
Heating 68(4): (2nd Quarter 1983)
As part of the expansion of its district heating system, the Steam Heat
Authority of Wilkes-Barre, PA has awarded a contract to Keeler/Dorr-Oliver
Boiler Company for a 60,000 pound per hour fluid bed boiler to generate
steam of 140 psig operating pressure. The Steam Heat Authority expects to
lower substantially its fuel cost by using anthracite mining waste
(culm).The use of such low heating value fuel requires a fluid bed for
proper combustion. The technology had been proven out previously in
another culm burning fluid bed boiler also furnished by Keeler/Dorr-Oliver
under a Department of Energy development program.
The Department of Energy aims to make hundreds of millions of tons of culm
a useful fuel source for regions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York
close to the waste mountains of anthracite mining The project to install a
model CPFS modular shop fabricated fluid bed boiler is under the direction
of engineer and program manager Utility Engineers, Forty Fort,
Pennsylvania.
The steam plant of the district heating system is located in downtown
Wilkes-Barre. Fluid bed combustion technology is fully expected to meet
all emission control regulations without the use of SO2 scrubbing, because
sulfur is retained in the ash through limestone addition.
Burning coal in an environmentally acceptable fashion can reduce the cost
of operating not only districtheating systems, but any steam using
facility. Wilkes-Barre will have the first coal mining waste fired fluid
bed boiler for district heating in the U.S.A.
Keeler/Dorr-Oliver is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dorr-Oliver, a
Stamford, Connecticut based supplier of equipment and systems for process
industries and water pollution control.
1983 "Burning Coal-Mine Waste," Popular Science 223(6):80-82 (December 1983)
1991 Citizens'
Voice, January 1, 1991, Page 6.
After years ot rumors, the Wilkes-Barre Steam Heat Authority announced it
would cease operations. The decision was made to stop generating steam in
May 1991.
Steam heat customers, who at one time numbered more than 100 center city
buildings, have dwindled to 52 for its final heating season.
The authority took over operations in 1976. It has run in the red, turning
a profit in 1988-1989 season.
© 2024 Morris A. Pierce