Greater Lansing's Energy Future

Things change – but not our commitment to you.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light has been an eyewitness to history in its
123 years. We’ve experienced the dawn of the Automobile Age, two world wars,
and unprecedented growth and change in “The American Century”, as the 20th
Century is often called.

Here, in the 21st Century, the BWL is likewise undergoing unprecedented
growth and change. We are in the midst of transformation from a “typical” utility
to one that relies increasingly on renewable energy and energy efficiency. In fact,
the BWL is Michigan’s leader in renewable energy. In the coming years, we will be
powering thousands of homes with electricity generated by landfill gas – a great
and dependable renewable energy resource.

As you may know, the BWL – Michigan’s largest public utility – is seriously
evaluating plans to build a new power plant to replace an aging plant near
downtown Lansing – Eckert Power Station. We hope to make a little history
ourselves, by building Michigan’s largest hybrid biomass power plant. It will be
much more efficient and much cleaner than Eckert, and it will burn up to 30
percent biomass such as waste wood and crop residue. The biomass we will burn is
carbon neutral.

An independent study bolsters our view that a new power plant will be better
for the community, environmentally and economically. And, it means 700 new
construction jobs for our community.

Things are changing at the BWL. For instance, we’re more plugged in to
“green energy”, and we want to help our customers get plugged in as well.
Meanwhile, the BWL intends to live up to its commitment to having a strong,
vital community, which includes keeping our electricity rates lower than our
competitors’. Our rates are lower now, and they will continue to be lower.

“Hometown People. Hometown Power.” is our slogan. It’s a commitment that
is as true in the 21st century as it was in the 19th century.

 

Thank you.

J. Peter Lark

General Manager