News & Information
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...
Growing in Sustainable Energy
Over the past decade, the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power (BLP) has made significant impacts in optimizing energy usage, reducing energy waste, and improving the environmental sustainability of the community’s energy portfolio. Through partnerships with local businesses and residents, the utility has consistently exceeded sustainability and waste reduction goals year over year. While sustainability initiatives like large-scale renewable...
BLP Reviews Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget
The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power reviewed a proposed $38 million budget for the 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. Power supply costs remain relatively flat for the upcoming fiscal year at $19.3 million. The 5-year Capital...
BLP Rules Out Option of Former Fire Department Building
The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power has decided not to pursue the former fire department building, citing the high expense of renovation and fragmented layout as key reasons. The Board hired Progressive AE, a West Michigan-Based architectural firm, to evaluate the option of preparing the space as a new administrative and customer service center. The firm estimated that...
Charter Change Coalition
On Monday, April 17, 2023, a group called the Charter Change Coalition presented their proposed amendment to the City Charter to dissolve the voter-elected Grand Haven Board of Light and Power and place the electric utility under the management of the City Manager. The BLP highly recommends, prior to signing this petition, that the community review the proposed Charter Amendment...