In 2002, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County awarded Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (formerly Constellation Energy Source) the contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the Metro Nashville District Energy System. Constellation is Exelon's competitive retail and wholesale energy business. With over 2000 employees, Constellation is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with regional offices in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Louisville, New York and Omaha. Constellation develops energy management strategies that help customers buy, manage and consume energy. Constellation's retail unit is among the largest and most comprehensive in the industry, offering a range of products and services, including power and natural gas, solar and other renewables, energy efficiency and load response. The company's wholesale business serves utilities, municipalities and co-ops and features world-class risk management and energy trading capabilities.
Several local firms were engaged to assist CNE in the development of Nashville’s Energy Generation Facility. Smith Seckman Reid was the design engineer, Everton Oglesby Askew was the architect, Nashville Machine Company was the mechanical contractor, R.C. Mathews was the construction manager and Travis Electric was the electrical contractor. The facility began commercial operations on December 16, 2003, seven months ahead of schedule. CNE currently manages, operates and maintains the District Energy System under a 15 year management agreement, with options for three additional five-year extensions. The Energy Generation Facility and Energy Distribution System assets remain under the ownership of the city of Nashville.