BWL commends citizens panel for
report on new generation

Lansing Board of Water & Light General Manager J. Peter Lark today lauded a distinguished citizens panel for its incisive report and recommendations about the BWL future generation plans.

“We are extremely grateful to panel members, comprised of respected community and state leaders, for more than a year of work as they assessed BWL generation needs and how this company can more nimbly adapt to current and future energy challenges,” Lark said. “The Greater Lansing community has been well-served by the time and effort put forth by the Citizens Advisory Panel on New Generation.

“Our staff is now prepared to take the next steps in the journey toward an energy future that is responsive to both environmental and economic forces,” Lark said.

The citizens panel, co-chaired by former Michigan Attorney General Frank J. Kelley, made five key recommendations to the BWL:

1. The decision to invest in a new hybrid biomass cogeneration facility, while well-conceived and proactive when developed, should be delayed until uncertainties in the economy and environmental regulations are resolved, and the impact of the BWL’s energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are more fully known.
2. The BWL should continue to apply three criteria to future planning: Reliability, affordability and environmental stewardship.
3. As the BWL continues to contemplate the replacement of its aging Eckert Power Plant, it should pursue the latest technologies in energy generation, including efficient natural gas combined cycle options, energy efficiency, renewables and fuel diversity.
4. The BWL should continue exploring biomass technology and its sustainability as a fuel.
5. Where appropriate, the BWL should be open to a potential partnership in developing future energy production facilities.

The panel first convened in August 2008, and subsequently held a series of public meetings in the Lansing community. During those public meetings, the panel heard presentations from energy experts, environmentalists, BWL staff and members of the general public. Click here to view the panel’s 26-page report, based on those meetings and panel’s recommendations.

Members citizen panel are:

• Co-chair Frank J. Kelley, former Michigan Attorney General and the longest-serving state attorney general in the United States.
• Co-chair Paul Hufnagel, President of the Greater Lansing Labor Council.
• James Butler, Director of Urban Revitalization Division, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and former President of the Michigan Broadband Authority.
• Paula Cunningham, President of Capitol National Bank and former President of Lansing Community College.
• Pat Gillespie, Lansing-area developer.
• Tim Haggart, Business Representative, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 333, and former BWL commissioner.
• Dennis Muchmore, Executive Director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. The 100,000-member MUCC is one of Michigan’s oldest environmental organizations.
• Joan Nelson, Executive Director, Allen Neighborhood Center.
• David O’Leary, O’Leary Paint Co., and former BWL commissioner.
• Dr. Dean Sienko, Director of the Ingham County Health Department.
• Randy Thayer, Plant Manager, General Motors Delta Assembly Plant.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light is Michigan’s largest publicly owned utility, with more than 97,000 electric customers and nearly 56,000 water customers.

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