Awards & Recognitions

Richard Husby Public Awareness Award

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recognized the BWL for its significant accomplishments in promoting awareness and understanding of the water supply issues among the public, through the development and implementation of public education activities.

APPA Smart Energy Provider

The BWL was designated as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association (APPA) for its commitment to smart energy practices. The award highlights how BWL provides its customers choices in their energy use, is being mindful to the environment and considering sustainability in its energy choices, and providing top-notch customer service.

United Way Corporate Partner of the Year

The Lansing Board of Water & Light was recognized by the Capital Area United Way for its continued annual corporate giving campaign, as well as its commitment to serving the community by organizing the Pandemic Resource Fairs. 

Hometown Leaders 40+ Ad

The Lansing Board of Water & Light's commercial celebrating employees who have served for 40+ years was awarded Communications Excellence by the American Public Power Association, Communications Excellence and People's Choice by the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America, and was nominated for a Michigan Emmy.

Bronze Level Veteran-Friendly Employer

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency awarded the BWL in recognition of its commitment to hiring veterans and educating HR personnel on how to connect veterans with the services and resources available to them.

American Public Power Association "Reliable Public Power Provider"

The BWL earned a "Diamond" recognition as a Reliable Public Power Provider from APPA. This RP3 designation, the highest possible, lasts for three years and recognizes utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. 

APPA Excellence in Public Power Communications

The BWL was honored by the American Public Power Association for an Award of Merit, recognizing its campaign celebrating employees who had been with the company for over 40 years. Watch the award winning piece.

Michigan Energy Innovators Project of the Year

BWL's East Lansing Community Solar Park was honored with the Michigan Energy Innovators Project of the Year. The community solar park allows BWL customers to participate in renewable energy by leasing panels for 25 years.

Arts Council of Greater Lansing's Applause Award

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing awarded the BWL as one of the 2019 Applause Award winners, receiving the Business Leadership Award. The Applause Awards program was created to acknowledge those community members who are engaging in creative endeavors and advocating for and supporting arts, culture and creativity in Greater Lansing.

Plant Safety Best Practices Award

The BWL REO Town Cogeneration plant staff were recognized by the Combined Cycle Journal and Western Turbine Users Inc. for developing and implementing a comprehensive natural gas leak detection program that significantly improved unit availability and ensured both personnel and facility safety.

Michigan AWWA Research & Technical Practices Award

The BWL was recognized for being the first utility in Michigan and second utility in the nation to remove all its active lead service lines. This process also included discovering a new cable pulling method to shorten work time, as well as cut down on costs.

Governor’s Service Award for Corporate Community Leader

The BWL was recognized by the governor’s office and the Michigan Community Service Commission as a Corporate Community Leader, which recognizes volunteerism and service in the Greater Lansing community that goes above and beyond. The award celebrates employee participation in service, company supported volunteer programs and monetary contributions to local charities.

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

The Arbor Day Foundation named the BWL a 2018 Tree Line USA winner for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in its electric service territory.

MIBFN Workplace Award

The BWL recently earned a Michigan Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Bronze Award presented by Capital Area Breastfeeding Coalition, which recognizes employers who support breastfeeding employees upon their return to work.

American Public Power Association "Reliable Public Power Provider"

The BWL was given the diamond designation, underscoring our high degree of reliability.

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

The Arbor Day Foundation named the BWL a 2017 Tree Line USA winner for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in its electric service territory.

Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council – Water Protection for Lead Line Removal

The BWL was recognized for completing the removal of its 12,150 active lead service lines in December 2016, joining Madison, Wisconsin as the only two water utilities in the nation to do so. The project began in 2004 and cost $44.5 million.

American Water Works Association (AWWA) Exemplary Wellhead Protection Award

The BWL was recognized for its environmental stewardship in protecting its groundwater supplies from contamination.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Recognizes "Lansing Energy Tomorrow" Campaign

The PRSA awarded the BWL for excellence with its "Lansing Energy Tomorrow" campaign. The BWL was also given a merit award for the PRSA’s Diamond Awards again recognizing the "Lansing Energy Tomorrow" campaign. The Lansing Energy Tomorrow campaign is a plan to meet the region’s energy needs well into the future.

Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals

The BWL’s women’s water tapping team, the Lethal Ladies, took first place at the national competition and second place in regionals.

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

The Arbor Day Foundation named the BWL a 2016 Tree Line USA winner for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in its electric service territory.

Governor’s Fitness Award

The BWL was a top 3 finalist in the State of Michigan for a large organization for its health and wellness program.

Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals

The BWL’s women’s water tapping team, the Lethal Ladies, took first place at the regional, state and national competitions.

Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals

The BWL’s women’s water tapping team, the Lethal Ladies, took first place at the state and national competition.

John F. Dye Inducted into Michigan Water Utility Hall of Fame

John F. Dye for was recognized his posthumous induction into the Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association Water (AWWA) Industry Hall of Fame in 2013, following his induction into the National AWWA Hall of Fame in 1976. Dye was given the award for his influence and contribution to the advancements of water chemistry and conditioning methods that are still used today.

John F. Dye Water Conditioning Plant Given MDEQ Clean Corporate Citizen Award

The Dye Water Plant was the first ever public drinking water facility given the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Clean Corporate Citizen award, which recognizes the plant’s longstanding environmental stewardship. The award also cited equipment and process upgrades, which has enhanced reliability, improved efficiency and reduced chemical costs by more than 40 percent.

John F. Dye Water Conditioning Plant Given American Water Works Association Landmark Award

The Dye Water Plant was given the AWWA Landmark Award, recognizing it as an iconic landmark with a significant relationship with water’s supply, treatment and distribution.

REO Town Plant Given 2014 Energy Innovator Award

The American Public Power Association (APPA) has selected the BWL as a 2014 Energy Innovator Award recipient for the REO Town Cogeneration Plant. The award recognizes programs that demonstrate advances in the development or application of creative, energy-efficient techniques to provide better service and increase efficiency for electric customers.

REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant Achieves Gold Certification for LEED

The BWL achieved a gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, for the REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant. The BWL was the first utility in Michigan and the first large utility in the country to be given this award. It highlights the company’s commitment to being a green organization by emphasizing the importance of water efficiency, sustainability and environmental preservation. Part of going green includes reducing fossil fuels among staff by including bike racks, changing facilities and parking spaces for fuel-efficient vehicles. Landscaping was also designed to reduce water usage by 52 percent, along with a green roof and solar panels.

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

For the 12th year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation named the BWL a 2014 Tree Line USA winner for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in its electric service territory. The BWL achieved Tree Line USA status by meeting five program standards: industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree care practices; sponsor a tree planting and public education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration. The BWL has also since increased the number of tree crews in the field to help reduce outages caused by falling limbs on power lines.

BWL Designated as Diamond Status for Electric Reliability by APPA

As the BWL is one of only 29 public utilities out of 2,000 across the nation given the diamond designation, it underscores our high degree of reliability and safe electric service. It’s given only if 98 to 100 percent of the criteria are successfully achieved and the BWL scored a perfect 100. The designation recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvements.

REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant Wins Build Michigan Award by AGC Michigan

This award from Michigan’s contractor group, the Associated General Contractors, is significant because the project competed against other Michigan construction projects in 2013.

BWL Wins Environmental Leadership Award

The Lansing Board of Water & Light was awarded with a Tri-County Environmental Leadership Award (TCELA) for being an eco-friendly business in the Mid-Michigan area. The award reflects the BWL’s continued leadership in sustainability, and commitment to serving customers a high level while also minding the environment. The mission of the TCELA is to bring awareness to residents, businesses, governments, educational institutions and non-profits in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties that have exemplary waste reduction and recycling practices and encourage the community to do the same.

REO Town Project Win Major Award

The BWL REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant was awarded ENR (Engineering News-Record) Midwest’s Best Project of the Year in the category of Industrial/Energy. This major award was made by a panel of prominent industry professionals on the basis of design and construction quality, innovation, safety and the ability of the project teams to overcome unique challenges. The REO Town project will compete against winners from other U.S. regions in ENR’s national Best of the Best Projects 2013 Competition.

REO Depot Preservation Lansing Award

The BWL received a Preservation Lansing Award in recognition of its restoration of the historic REO Town Grand Trunk Western Depot. The restoration included replacement of thousands of clay roof tiles made by the same company which made the tiles when the depot was built in 1902. The REO depot, which is listed on the state and national historical registers, is used as a meeting place for the BWL Board of Commissioners, the REO Town neighborhood association and other non-profit organizations. BWL REO

MDEQ Neighborhood Environmental Partnership Award

The BWL received the Neighborhood Environmental Partnership Award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for our role in Adopt a River, and the BWL’s Pollution Prevention Program which includes the holiday lights exchange program, Recycle Rama, and appliance and CFL recycling. MDEQ cited BWL’s "strong commitment to a sustainable future by improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of Michigan communities."

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

For the 11th year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation has named the BWL a 2013 Tree Line USA recipient for our commitment to proper tree care and maintenance while continuing to meet our service objectives, such as trimming tree limbs away from power lines. The award cited BWL’s efforts in worker training in quality tree-care practices, educating the public about planting trees for energy conservation and helping customers to plant appropriate trees near utility lines.

American Public Power Association "Community Service Award"

In one of the most prestigious awards a public utility can receive, the BWL was honored with the American Public Power Association (APPA) Community Service Award at its June meeting in Seattle. The award recognizes "good neighbor" activities that demonstrate the commitment of the utility and its employees to the community. APPA cited the BWL’s involvement in many community activities and programs, including: Hometown Energy Savers, the plug-in vehicle project, Adopt a River, BWL Chili Cook-off, Silver Bells in the City, Pennies for Power and 1st S.T.E.P. School to Training and Employment internship program.

American Public Power Association "Reliable Public Power Provider"

The BWL was among the nation’s 2,000 public power utilities to earn a "Platinum" recognition as a Reliable Public Power Provider from APPA. This RP3 designation was granted to the BWL for providing consumers with one of the highest degrees of reliable and safe electric service. Our customers want reliable power, and short-duration outages. That’s why this award is so important and says so much about our company.

Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting

The BWL came in fifth at the recent 22nd annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting. The BWL competed with countries in Asia, South America, Europe and North America. This is the third time in the past five years that BWL water has been judged to be among the very best tasting municipally-produced waters in the world.

Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA

For the 10th year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation has named the BWL a 2012 Tree Line USA recipient for our commitment to proper tree care and maintenance while continuing to meet our service objectives, such as trimming tree limbs away from power lines. The award cited BWL’s efforts in worker training in quality tree-care practices, educating the public about planting trees for energy conservation and helping customers to plant appropriate trees near utility lines.

Arboriculture Society of Michigan’s Corporate 2012 Award

In another recognition for the BWL’s tree care stewardship, the BWL received the Arboriculture Society of Michigan’s Corporate 2012 award. This honor came as the result of the BWL’s leadership role in professional development and education involving the arboriculture industry.

2012 Celebration of Regional Growth Award

The BWL was honored to receive, in addition to four other companies, the Celebration of Regional Growth Award (CORG). This award is given in appreciation of the BWL’s contribution to the area’s economic health and for its reputation as a leader in ecologically sound energy distribution.

2012 Corporate Partner of the Year

The BWL was privileged to accept a Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council (Mid-MEAC) certificate of appreciation as Mid-MEAC’s 2012 Corporate Partner of the Year. Mid-MEAC and the BWL collaborate on Adopt A River, an annual cleanup of the Grand and Red Cedar rivers and their riverbanks.