Power Supplier Adds Two Michigan Utilities

Power Supplier Adds Two Michigan Utilities Our wholesale power supplier, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., recently welcomed two Upper Michigan utilities to its membership. The municipal electric utility of Gladstone, Mich., and the Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association (Alger Delta CEA) took steps recently to join WPPI, bringing to 48 the number of customer-owned electric utilities served by the Sun Prairie, Wis.-based power company.

The City of Gladstone is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the shores of Little Bay de Noc. Established in 1928, Gladstone Power & Light serves nearly 3,200 electric customers.

Gladstone’s City Commission voted on January 22 to approve a 30-year contract for WPPI to provide electricity for the city. Gladstone is expected to begin receiving services from WPPI on or before March 1.

Alger Delta CEA is headquartered in Gladstone and serves approximately 10,000 homes and businesses located in six counties in the Upper Peninsula. The cooperative was established in 1937.

Alger Delta CEA signed a 30-year power supply agreement with WPPI at its December board meeting. Approval of the contract by the Michigan Public Service Commission is pending. Upon finalization of the agreement, Alger Delta will become the first electric cooperative to be served by WPPI.

Under Wisconsin law, only utilities from within the state can be owners of WPPI; out-of-state utilities such as Gladstone Power & Light and Alger Delta CEA can be served through long-term power supply contracts.

With the additions of Gladstone and Alger Delta ECA, WPPI’s member utilities will serve 185,000 homes and businesses in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Iowa.

“We are pleased to welcome Gladstone and Alger Delta,” said WPPI President and CEO Roy Thilly.

WPPI is experiencing increased interest in membership from unaffiliated customer-owned utilities in Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and eastern Iowa. In 2006, WPPI added six new members.

“Growth benefits all WPPI member communities by increasing load diversity, achieving greater economies of scale in the acquisition of new resources, and creating a stronger market presence,” said Thilly.