News and Information
MBLP Designated a Reliable Public Power Provider for the second consecutive year
The Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP) has been designated a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) by the American Public Power Association for the second consecutive time moving up to the Platinum ranking. The RP3 designation is awarded to municipal utilities for providing customers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. To earn the designation, proficiency must be shown in four key disciplines -- reliability, safety, training, and system improvement. Of the four RP3 awards received in Michigan, the MBLP was ranked No. 1. In 2008, the MBLP received its first RP3 designation at the Gold Level. The utility will pursue the top ranking at the Diamond Level in 2012. Shown from left to right with the RP3 plaque are: MBLP Executive Director, MBLP Supervisor of Administrative Services, and MBLP Superintendent of Distribution who oversaw/completed the application process.
National Walk to Work Day
A group of seven MBLP employees walked a mile on their lunch hour on
April 27 --National Walk at Work Day. The group joined thousands of
employees across the nation who participated in the event. In Marquette,
the group braved chilly temperatures and drizzle. It was a great way to
regroup for an afternoon at work!
MBLP Families Participate in Spring Cleaning
The Marquette Board of Light and Power participated in the spring Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up. The MBLP's members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is responsible for picking up litter on U.S. Highway 41 along the rock cut between Marquette and Harvey. In addition, the MBLP also recently participated in the annual Spring City-Wide Clean-up. The group picks up litter on the South Beach and along Lake Street from the Shiras Steam Plant to the Carp River Bridge.
Both events have been part of the MBLP's community service for
decades. Participants include MBLP Management, MBLP Union employees,
retirees and family members.
MBLP Receives RP3Award from APPA
The Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP) is one of only 84 municipal electric utilities nationwide to earn the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing customers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.
"This is a tremendous honor for the utility and is a reflection of the utility employees' hard work and dedication combined with continued system and technological improvements that enabled the utility to earn this honor," said Board Chair Tom Humphrey.
Superintendent of Distribution David Lynch who applied for the designation accepted the Gold Level award a recent national APPA conference. Executive Director Kirby Juntila announced the utility's receipt of the award at its recent Board meeting. Mr. Lynch outlined for the Board that RP3 recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, training and system improvement. Criteria within each category are based on sound business practices and represent a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity.
"Executive Director Kirby Juntila's commitment to reinvesting in our workforce through training and development was a key component in receiving the award," Lynch said. He added the award reflects the utility's proactive approach through strategic planning and thanked the Board for its continued financial support of projects and technology that further enhance system reliability.
"We are thrilled to join the ranks of RP3 designees across the country," Juntila said. "This recognition is a testament to the quality work and service provided by our employees every day." He added that of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities, only two other municipal utilities in Michigan have earned the RP3 designation - the Lansing Board of Water & Light and the City of Marshall.
Along with the award, Lynch said the MBLP will receive a "report card" indicating criteria levels the utility met at the Gold Level. In 2010, the utility will be eligible to resubmit for the RP3 designation and will work toward the Diamond Level or achieving 100 percent of the criteria. Currently only three utilities in the nation have earned the Diamond Level.
The RP3 logo will be featured on all utility vehicles as part of the two year designation period, Lynch said
MBLP GOING 'GREEN'
MARQUETTE - The electric transformers used by the Marquette Board of Light and Power's (MBLP) Distribution System have gone "green". The transformers are filled with a soy-based fluid which is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
"In our continued efforts to provide our customers with reliable electricity, we are pleased that these non-toxic biodegradable soy-based fluid transformers will not only enhance the safety of our employees and the public, but will extend the life-cycle of our transformers by 10-plus years,"
Unlike the new vegetable-based coolant, the formerly used petroleum-based coolant is more flammable, spills are costlier to clean up, and is harmful to the environment, Lynch said.
The MBLP has been using the soy-based fluid filled transformers for the past two years with no operating changes or issues. Although the soy-based transformer fluid has increased the cost of transformers slightly by about 6-8 percent, the vegetable based coolant is expected to extend and enhance transformer life by 10-plus years which will result in a cost savings in the long term, according to Lynch. "Extended transformer life provides the ability to carry higher electric loads during peak demand periods without leading to premature transformer failure."
Other utilities in the United States are also starting to use the soy-based fluid transformers for their distribution systems including utilities in Florida, Indiana, and Iowa. The demand for the soy-based fluid transformers will also benefit the farmers who grow soybeans.
