News & Events

In April of 2023, Environmental Finance awarded the Saint Paul Port Authority their distinguished 2023 Sustainabililty project bond of the year for the $15.9 million Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Project issuance. 

Environmental Finance Bond Awards judges said that this project stood out for its "interesting" work on invasive species. Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees throughout the eastern half of the United States, devastating familiar landscapes and demanding an expensive clear-up.

This award recognises the work of the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Port Authority who partnered to issue sustainability bonds that would finance the replacement of dead, dying, or at-risk ash trees.

The project bonds will finance the replanting of new trees throughout the City of Saint Paul and support the city's removal of the stumps that were left behind from previous removals.

This will enable the Port and the City of Saint Paul to implement their replanting program, which integrates critical aspects of environmental and social sustainability in urban forest management to address the ongoing impact of humans on local ecosystems, as well as building greater climate resilience and reducing public health risks for disadvantaged neighborhods.

The authorities hope their bond program will become a model for other municipalities as they address similar issues.

Todd Hurley, president and CEO of Saint Paul Port Authority, says: "The Emerald ash borer project is a prime example of the Saint Paul Port Authority's commitment to economic development and job creation. We are thrilled to have been part of implementing a sustainable and equitable solution to a pressing problem that affects our community.

Trees are more than just greenery; they are the lifeblood of our community. Protecting them is crucial, and with this project, we're ensuring a better future for generations to come."

Sustainability project bond of the year: Saint Paul Port Authority

_* Saint Paul joins Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia in purchase of the Rosenbauer RTX electric fire truck _

Saint Paul, MN – Today, Mayor Carter and Fire Chief Inks announced that the Saint Paul Fire Department is embracing green energy to fight fires, becoming the first fire service in Minnesota to purchase an electric fire truck.  

"We’re excited to be the first in the state to invest in this state-of-the-art fire truck,” said Mayor Carter. “It brings us all the critical green energy benefits of an electric vehicle, while meeting the high safety and efficiency standards we have for all our fire equipment.”  

In 2020, Saint Paul Fire received demonstrations of the RTX from Austrian-based designer and manufacturer Rosenbauer, and again in January of 2023. Members of the department’s training division, apparatus selection committee, and vehicle maintenance personnel were impressed with the maneuverability, safety features, and functionality during these demonstrations.  

“I was blown away by its overall performance and how quiet the rig is,” said Fire Chief Butch Inks. “Communication on fire scenes is important and can be extremely difficult, especially when six or seven loud diesel engines are operating in high idle.” 

The investment in the RTX is in alignment with the City of Saint Paul Climate Action & Resilience Plan, which focuses on achieving carbon neutrality in city operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050. This work includes strategies to lessen the impacts of climate change through policy and regulatory actions the city can take to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and improve quality of life in the city. In addition to furthering climate goals, this investment helps reduce diesel emissions and supports firefighters’ overall health and wellbeing. 

“We take pride in our ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and improve city services at the same time,” said Chief Resilience Officer Russ Stark. “Because emissions from larger vehicles are some of the hardest to tackle, this is a big milestone toward realizing our climate goals.” 

Rosenbauer has started the build process on an RTX electric fire truck for Saint Paul, with delivery expected by 2025. Final assembly of the city’s and state’s first electric fire truck will be completed at Rosenbauer’s facility in Wyoming, Minnesota, with delivery expected to coincide with completion of a new Fire Station 7 on the city’s East Side. 

"The Rosenbauer RTX is the fire truck of the future," said Todd McBride, RTX Sales and Marketing Manager of Rosenbauer America. "With over 10 years of research and development, the RTX is built from the ground up using the most advanced materials and technologies. The RTX is the safest fire truck available - for firefighters, for communities and for the environment."

The City of Saint Paul is submitting federal earmark funding requests to support the purchase of the state’s first electric fire engine.  

_*This release has been updated following the incorrect identification of Madison, Wisconsin as having an RXT model electric fire truck. _

SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, the City of Saint Paul announced it has received reaffirmed AAA credit ratings from S&P Global and Fitch Ratings agencies, including stable outlooks as part of a city bond sale process.

Adoption of the Pension Reform Bill.

City of Saint Paul Press Releases