News & Information
The Power Struggle with being a Peninsula State
Two seemingly unrelated topics - peninsulas and power - converge in our state to form a unique challenge for our electrical utilities. While many states contain peninsulas, only three are considered ‘true’ peninsula states—Alaska, Florida, and Michigan. Out of this already slim group, Michigan is the only state made up of two peninsulas. Despite the benefits of tourism, conservation, and...
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Approves 4-Year Contract with Utility Union Workers of America
GRAND HAVEN, MICH., October 25, 2022 — The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power (BLP) has approved an agreement with the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) AFL-CIO Local 582 for a four-year contract through June 30, 2026. This is the first union agreement between the board and UWUA since the retirement of the J.B. Sims coal-fired power plant...
Is Michigan Spinning Down on Wind Power?
The Grand Haven community places a high value on increasing our portfolio of renewable energy. In response, Grand Haven BLP has made several investments through the Michigan Public Power Agency to diversify its power supply portfolio and incorporate more wind and solar in its mix. However, as Michigan utilities approach the market looking for more, they are finding the State...
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Sends Crew to Florida to Support Hurricane Relief
The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power (BLP) has sent a crew to Winter Park, FL to support local authorities in restoring the electrical system following Hurricane Ian. Three line workers along with a bucket truck and digger derrick truck will join scores of crews from across the country to assist central Florida where over 300,000 people have already...
Reducing Risk from Global Energy Markets
The unreliability of goods and services during the pandemic revealed to consumers just how interconnected the global economy is. Whether it was computer chips or toilet paper, disruptions to the “supply chain” affected nearly everyone. The impact of global events like the war in Ukraine and the pandemic has also had an impact on energy markets, both in the availability...
What Electric Vehicles Mean for Grand Haven’s Electric System
With many electric vehicles already on the road, the city of Grand Haven is currently preparing to welcome the fast-approaching future of EVs, including the addition of charging stations at Grand Haven State Park. As automotive companies increase production, the success of this transition will rely not only on these more publicly visible charging points but also on less visible...
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Adopts Resolution to Support Cohesive Plan with Grand Haven City Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The locally-owned utility company recommends appointing Varnum as its legal counsel GRAND HAVEN, MICH., Aug. 3, 2022 – The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power (BLP) Board of Directors met on Aug. 3 to adopt a resolution that supports a proactive and cohesive plan with the Grand Haven City Council to deliver quality service for...
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Proposes Intragovernmental Agreement, $16.1 Million Transfer to City for Environmental Remediation at Sims Site
COMMUNITY NEWS Grand Haven, MI — The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power (BLP) reviewed several elements that they believe should be included in a proposed Intragovernmental Environmental Liability Allocation and Assignment Agreement between the BLP and the City of Grand Haven to move forward with environmental cleanup at the former Sims Power Plant site. The Board discussion comes...
Solar’s Place in Our Renewable Energy Supply
Until recent complications delayed worldwide supply chains, renewable energy installations including solar projects were on the rise, with costs decreasing as production efficiencies increased. These installations are a necessary component for meeting our national carbon reduction goal of 50% (from 2005 levels) by 2030. In spite of recent supply chain delays and other complicating factors, future large utility-scale solar projects...
