News & Information
Plugged In SPECIAL EDITION – Growing in Sustainability
Over the past decade, the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power, in partnership with local businesses and residents, has consistently exceeded our sustainability goals. We have expanded our renewables portfolio and helped significantly optimize and reduce energy usage – implementing a balanced approach that is both environmentally and fiscally responsible. Great progress has been made and our plans are...
City says ‘NO’ to dissolving BLP
Election results by Matt DeYoung, Grand Haven Tribune - A proposed change to the Grand Haven City Charter that would have dissolved the Board of Light & Power was handily dismissed by voters Tuesday. More than 70 percent of voters opposed the proposal, with the final tally at 2,796 no votes (70.3%) to 1,184 yes votes (29.7%). The charter change...
Shining More Light on GHBLP!
The GHBLP Board and management have efficiently and effectively operated your public electric utility. RELIABILITY: The GHBLP is one of the most reliable public power utilities in the country. Investments in our electrical distribution system have allowed GHBLP to perform significantly better than state and national averages when it comes to overall system reliability. The frequency and duration of power...
Shining a light on the Grand Haven City Charter amendment
Grand Haven voters will consider a City Charter amendment in November to dissolve the Board of Light & Power. It’s vitally important that all our customers know the facts. If approved The City Council would have sole authority to set rates for utility customers. The current charter requires the BLP Board to set rates that generate enough revenue required to...
The BLP’s Healthy Approach to Investing in Infrastructure
One of the benchmarks of sound and responsible management for a utility is the planned capital expenditures to reinvest in the equipment and infrastructure that supports the transmission and distribution of our community’s energy needs. Within the system outlined above, there are power transformers, voltage regulators, circuit breakers, fuses, controls, arresters, and more. Thus, there are plenty of stress points...
Public Power Coloring Contest
We're hosting a Coloring Contest to celebrate Public Power Week, and we're asking 1st-4th Grade Students in our service area to show us your creativity! The contest winner will be featured in the Michigan Municipal Electric Association's magazine, "Currents" and will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Please pick up an entry form and coloring sheet at our Service Center,...
How the BLP Buys Energy for the Community
The BLP approaches buying power in a similar way to how you might invest for retirement –purchasing in smaller volumes, from multiple sources, over regular intervals, varying terms and durations, and diversifying the purchase type to manage risk. This approach provides a more secure and stable future for controlling energy costs. Many factors impact the near and long-term energy markets....
Fiscal Responsibility In Action
In evaluating the effectiveness of the BLP, the greater Grand Haven community has consistently voiced a high priority on three main factors: Reliability - can I rely on my power provider for my electricity, a basic essential need? Affordability - are my rates reasonable and competitive? Sustainability - is the BLP consistently managing its operations in an environmentally responsible manner,...
BLP Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
GRAND HAVEN, MICH., May 25, 2023 — The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power approved the $38 million budget for fiscal year 2024 during its regular board meeting Thursday night. David Walters, general manager, and Lynn Diffell, finance manager, provided a detailed presentation outlining the balanced budget in April and conducted a separate work session earlier this month. Power...
Public Power: Giving Our Community a Strategic Advantage
In 2021, the City of Grand Haven celebrated a proud milestone – 125 years of community ownership and operation of a public power electric utility system! The Board of Light and Power is one of 40 fortunate municipally owned electric systems in Michigan, and also one of the longest-standing with a strong history. While our community shares this distinct privilege...