BWL celebrates 125th anniversary

The Lansing Board of Water & Light celebrated its 125 th anniversary at a special open house and ceremony today in the BWL’s corporate boardroom.

General Manager J. Peter Lark presided over the ceremony, which included the unveiling of the founding document that created the BWL on Feb. 16, 1885.

“Birthdays and anniversaries are often times when people reflect on the past,” Lark said today. “Indeed, we have much to be proud of in our 125-year history. However, I prefer to look ahead, toward an even brighter future.

“The BWL has made its mark in three different centuries,” Lark continued. “I believe our greatest legacy is still before us, in the 21st century. We will continue to be one of the top leaders in renewable energy and energy efficiency, while holding to our other core values of low rates, high reliability of service and progressive environmental stewardship.”

On Feb. 16, 1885, the Lansing Common Council (forerunner of the Lansing City Council) passed an ordinance establishing the Lansing Water Board. The Water Board was created to provide safe drinking water for the City of Lansing as well as a reliable source of water to fight fires.

The BWL added electricity as a utility service in 1892. Steam service was added in the early part of the 20 th century, and its chilled water utility was added in the 1980s.

At today’s open house, the public was treated to historic photos and artifacts from the BWL’s archives. A 3 p.m. ceremony included the reading of proclamations from the State of Michigan and the City of Lansing.

Mayor Virg Bernero declared Feb. 16 to be “Lansing Board of Water & Light Day” in Lansing.

The BWL is one of Michigan’s oldest utilities and is Michigan’s largest public utility. It has more than 97,000 electric customers and nearly 56,000 water customers.

For more details about the BWL’s history, visit our Website, www.lbwl.com.

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