Connections

BWL customers not affected by new electric deregulation law

Most Michigan residents entered the uncertain waters of electric utility deregulation this year, but those changes didn't affect customers of the BWL or the state's 39 other municipally owned utilities.

A new law took effect January 1 allowing customers of the state's large investor-owned utilities to buy their electricity from other suppliers.

The new law gives municipal electric utilities like the BWL the choice of opting in or out of this new way of doing business. For now, we're opting out until we see how things work out in Michigan.

The success of electric deregulation has been a mixed bag in states where it's been tried. In California it has been a disaster, with electricity prices rising through the roof. Even in states where "customer choice" has worked, not many customers have switched suppliers, and most who did switch, eventually returned to their original supplier. Customer choice has worked for a few large customers. So far, it hasn't led to lower electricity bills for residential or small commercial customers.

Time will tell if Michigan's customer choice law will work for the state's consumers. Meanwhile, we plan to closely watch the market and listen to our customers before deciding whether to expose our utility system to deregulation.

We'd like to know what you think. Write to us at BWL Connections, P.O. Box 13007, Lansing, MI 48901, or Click Here to email us.

In the construction business, timing is critical. That's why the BWL has initiated a new service guarantee program for contractors and developers.

We guarantee to install a new underground or overhead residential service within five business days after receiving an electrical inspection release. If we don't make it, we refund $25 to the customer. Participating contractors and developers need to follow some simple guidelines to qualify for the guarantee program.

There's no guarantee, but for new customers moving into an existing home or business, we try to meet an even tighter timeline. With some exceptions we try to turn on your water or electricity within 24 hours of receiving a turn-on order.

City of Lansing residents can recycle mixed paper and junk mail in their green recycling bins starting Monday, April 22.

Any type of paper that comes in your mailbox will be accepted. Simply separate the papers from other recyclable materials and place them in a paper bag. Place the bag inside your green recycling bin.

Accepted material includes junk mail, flyers, envelopes, office paper, magazines, catalogs, colored paper and stationery. Corrugated cardboard, paperboard and telephone books are not accepted.

Please call the recycling hotline at 483-4400 for more information.

Lansing's spectacular May parade returns next month after a one-year absence during the reconstruction of I-496.

"Michigan Salutes America" is the theme for the statewide parade, which will mark the beginning of festivities for this year's Michigan Week Celebration. The two-hour event steps off in downtown Lansing at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, and will include floats, clowns, marching bands and much more.

This is the 12th statewide parade organized by an all-volunteer committee headed by Lansing's own Duane Vernon. The first parade, held in 1990, marked the beginning of a series of 11 parades to usher in the 21st Century. The event grew in popularity each year, eventually drawing more than 3,000 participants and more than 50,000 parade watchers in 2000.

Chiliheads, arise and lend us your taste buds.

The Down-By-The-River Chili Cook-Off returns to downtown Lansing Friday, June 7, with even more booths and more fun in store. As many as 25 restaurants and organizations will serve their finest chili concoctions from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This year, our event expands along the riverfront from The Lansing Center to the Sun Bowl just south of Lansing's City Market, and includes two popular Lansing bands, The Mike Espy Blues Band and Steppin' In It.

We'll pass out trophies awarded by a celebrity group of judges, including a special panel we're putting together to rate our More Hotter, More Better trophy. This is the award that goes to the chili with the best combination of taste and heat. And that's where you come in if you're a dedicated chilihead.

Included on this special panel will be three BWL customers with good taste, strong opinions, and iron guts. Click Here to let us know why you should be one of those selected for our special More Hotter, More Better chili judging panel. Deadline for entry is May 15. We'll pick three winners.