News & Information
Pragmatic Ways to ‘Green’ Your Power Supply
Many Grand Haven businesses and homeowners want to tap into sustainable power. You may think, it’s not possible to build a wind turbine in my backyard. I definitely cannot put a biomass power plant back there—where would the kid’s swing set go? I could install solar panels on my roof, but that sounds difficult and expensive. Is there another way?...
BLP Customer Technology Workshop
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 6:30 pm Central Park Place - 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven Learn how to monitor your energy use and save money - BLP technology systems are designed to interact with each other and enable communication with the electric meter at your home or business. This enhances reliability and provides additional capabilities such as communication and data transfers,...
What’s Happening with Energy Storage
Michigan is working hard to transition to greener generation options. However, no amount of renewable capacity can ensure consumers get power if the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining. Storage creates greater reliability in renewable energy supply, giving suppliers a backup when needed. Using a definition from the University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Studies, grid storage is...
Statement from Board Chairman Mike Westbrook Addressing HRC’s Final Report, No Proof of Gender Discrimination Found
On Aug. 23, 2022, Grand Haven resident Ms. Elizabeth Pell filed a complaint with the City of Grand Haven’s Human Relations Commission (HRC), alleging that the Board of Light of Power Board and its administrative staff discriminated against another member of the BLP Board, Director Andrea Hendrick, based on Director Hendrick's gender, during the course of a single BLP Board...
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Approves Proposal of Contribution to Snowmelt System
In a 3-1 vote, the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power has approved a proposal to reduce the City’s debt toward snowmelt equipment on Harbor Island by 25%. The BLP will contribute $259,287.75 toward a $1,037,151 advance, which primarily went toward purchase of the industrial water heaters that provide heat to the snowmelt system. The contribution to the city...
Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey
The Board of Light & Power is partnering with GreatBlue Research, Inc., an innovative company with 42+ years of customer survey work, to conduct our Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. GHBLP customers will be randomly selected for the survey which will take place during the first three weeks of December 2022. Your voice matters! Please be sure to share your views...
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...