Company Profile
Lansing Board of Water and Light
Company Overview
The Board of Water and Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Chartered in 1885, by a vote of Lansing's citizens, the LBWL remains a public power utility in its second century of service. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities. For more about the BWL and our community service activities see: http://www.lbwl.com.
Company History
The Board of Water & Light is a municipally owned public utility, not a private, investor-owned utility. Our roots go back to 1885, when Lansing citizens approved a $100,000 bond issue to build a water system to provide for drinking water and fire protection. Electricity was added to our list of utility services in 1892, and steam heat in 1919. We sell no stock, pay no dividends, and make no profit.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, our rates are not set or regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission. They are established by our governing body, our Board of Commissioners. The BWL Board of Commissioners is made up of eight Lansing residents, each appointed for a four-year term on the board by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. Commissioners serve without pay.
Meetings of the Board of Commissioners are open to the public and are held every other month, usually on the fourth Tuesday. The meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Water and Light Headquarters, REO Town Depot, located at 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI, 48910.
Owned and operated by hometown people, the BWL has grown to become the third largest electric utility in the state, the largest municipally owned utility in Michigan and a major employer in the Lansing area. By owning the BWL, our customers enjoy electric rates that are the lowest in the state, averaging 20 percent or more below the average rates of other utilities in Michigan.
This is the real return on investment our owners receive a financially healthy utility with low rates and high reliability.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
2017
Winner, APPA Reliable Public Power Provider, Diamond
Winner, Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA
Recognized, Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council – Water Protection for Lead Line Removal
2016
Recognized, American Water Works Association (AWWA) Exemplary Wellhead Protection Award
Recognized, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) "Lansing Energy Tomorrow" Campaign
Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals
Winner, Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA.
Finalist, Governor’s Health and Wellness Award
2015
Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals
2014
Women’s Water Tapping Team Finishes 1st at Nationals
Recognized, John F. Dye Inducted into Michigan Water Utility Hall of Fame (AWWA)
Winner, John F. Dye Water Conditioning Plant Given MDEQ Clean Corporate Citizen Award
Winner, John F. Dye Water Conditioning Plant Given American Water Works Association Landmark Award
Winner, REO Town Plant Given 2014 APPA Energy Innovator Award
REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant Achieves Gold Certification for LEED
Winner, Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA
BWL Designated as Diamond Status for Electric Reliability by APPA
REO Town Headquarters and Cogeneration Plant Wins Build Michigan Award by AGC Michigan
Winner, Tri-County Environmental Leadership Award
Benefits
Market based pay with Annual Performance Appraisal
Medical insurance - 19% Premium Sharing and Prescription drug insurance –or Cash Option Program to waive medical/prescription insurance
Dental insurance – 100% Employer Paid Premium
401A and 457 Deferred Compensation
Long Term Disability – 100% Employer Paid Premium
Group Term Life Insurance w/ AD&D – Full Coverage 100% Employer Paid Premium
Vacations, Paid Holidays, Free Choice, Sick Leave and Bereavement Leave
Fitness Centers
Employee paid benefits include:
ICMA 457, ICMA Roth IRA, Michigan Education Savings Plan, Flexible Spending Account – Medical and Dependent care, AFLAC, Long Term Care, Term Life Insurance, Vision Insurance, HOPE – Home Purchase Plan – forgivable $5,000 loan for Lansing home and Tuition Refund - 100% for qualified educational expense