News & Information
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...
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...