The city of Virginia is located on the iron range in northern Minnesota. Virginia is part of the Quad Cities of Eveleth, Mountain Iron, and Gilbert covering a total of 70 square miles with a combined population of 25,481.* 

In 1892 iron ore was discovered in the Virginia area. The city was built around the mining and timbering businesses. The utility was originally established by a private company in 1892 and supplied citizens with water and light. A lumber mill produced and sold steam to the utility for electric generation and heat requirements.

In 1913 the city bought the plant, appointed a commission and began production of electricity and steam. In 1915, the utility built a gas plant. The gas plant cost $60,000 to build and had 410 customers. The electric/steam plant installed two boilers in 1919 and the first of the steam zones was constructed. In 1922 new buildings were added to house two additional boilers and two condensing electric-generating turbines. More steam zones were added from 1923 through 1925.

In 1929, an additional steam plant was added. This addition enabled the utility to produce the entire steam requirements for the city with no help from an outside source. In 1930 another electric turbine was installed and an additional steam zone added. In the early 1930’s the electrical distribution system was rebuilt. In 1933-1934 the water department extended service to Parkville, Hopper, and West Virginia.

The gas plant was abandoned in the 1960’s and the area is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will include future development within the city of Virginia.

By 1984 most of the city was supplied with steam for heating. The power plant has three boilers and four turbines. It primarily burns western coal, but can switch to natural gas as needed. The power plant is run to satisfy the demands of the steam system. The electric turbines reduce the steam pressure for distribution to the steam system.

The city obtains its water from a natural spring that accumulates in the Missabe Reservoir on the east side of Virginia. In January of 1999 construction was begun on a new water treatment plant. The water plant began producing water in May of 2000. The water plant has a capacity to produce five million gallons per day.

In 2004, a joint venture with the Hibbing Public Utilities Commission was created, which is known as Laurentian Energy Authority (LEA).  Wood-burning boilers were installed at both facilities, along with a wood-handling yard in Mt. Iron.  Both Virginia and Hibbing Public Utilities burn biomass to provide 35 megawatt hours of electricity to Northern States Power (Xcel Energy). For more information on the biomass project, click here.

Currently the steam system supplies over 1,800 customers, electric serves over 5,200 customers, water serves over 3,900 customers and gas serves over 1,600 customers.

For more information, click below:

Electrical Distribution System

Water Distribution System

Gas Distribution System

Steam Distribution System

*Quad Cities Market Area per April 2001 City of Virginia Housing Study