Rochester’s Downtown Building Energy Transition: Building Minnesota’s First Municipal Thermal Energy Network By: Robert Buluma Rochester, Minnesota is quietly making history. In November 2025, the city flipped the switch on Phase 2 of its Downtown Building Energy Transition (DBET), creating the state’s first municipal thermal energy network that connects multiple public buildings to clean, renewable geothermal energy. City Hall, the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester Public Library, Rochester Art Center, and Rochester Civic Theatre are now linked through a shared “ambient loop” that moves heat where it’s needed ,no fossil fuels required for day-to-day operations. This isn’t just another green project checkbox. It’s a practical, scalable model for how mid-sized American cities can decarbonize large downtown building clusters while actually saving money. What Exactly Is a Thermal Energy Network? Think of it as district energy, but smarter and cleaner. A thermal energy network is a closed-loop ...