Cinergy
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1994-10-24 |
| Fate | Acquired by Duke Energy |
| Successor | Duke Energy |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio , United States |
Cinergy Corp. () operated as an energy provider headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, from 1994 until 2006. The company’s name was derived by blending the words "synergy", "energy", and "Cincinnati".
History
Cinergy came into existence on October 24, 1994, following the consolidation of Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company (CG&E) and its Kentucky affiliate Union Light, Heat & Power (ULH&P) with PSI Energy (Public Service Indiana), based in Plainfield, Indiana.
In 1996, Riverfront Stadium located in Cincinnati adopted the name Cinergy Field as part of a sponsorship agreement. This stadium was subsequently demolished in December 2002 to make way for the Great American Ball Park.
In 2005, Charlotte-based Duke Energy reached an agreement to acquire Cinergy amicably, with the transaction finalized on April 3, 2006. The combined company continued under the Duke Energy brand. Before the merger, Cinergy operated under its three regional utility identities (such as Cinergy/CG&E); these designations were retired after the merger along with Duke Power's branding, although some former logos are still visible at certain substations.
Environmental record
In May 2006, Cinergy was recognized as a significant source of pollution in the American Midwest, prompting legal actions from both the New York State government and authorities in Ontario, Canada. These lawsuits resulted in the company being required to implement enhanced pollution control measures.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst placed Cinergy as the 49th-largest corporate emitter of air pollutants in the United States, discharging approximately 29 million pounds of hazardous chemicals each year. The primary contaminants included sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and heavy metals such as chromium and manganese.
Holiday model train display
Throughout its various corporate identities, the company sponsored a holiday model train exhibition that has drawn over 9 million visitors since its inception in 1946. The display features an authentic O gauge model railroad where one quarter-inch corresponds to one foot of an actual train.
In collaboration with railway operator CSX, this annual exhibit was held at Cinergy’s former headquarters until 2011, after which it was donated to the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.