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BLP maintenance effort has multiple benefits to area

A project underway at the Shiras Steam Plant has additional benefits beyond maintaining and updating the coal-burning facility.

The Marquette Board of Light and Power performs annual maintenance on its electricity generating plant to keep everything shipshape and operating as clean as possible. This year, the 44-megawatt Unit 3 is being worked on.

In addition, BLP officials estimate this spring’s project will inject about $600,000 into the local economy.

A portion of those funds will come from employees of Wisconsin-based CR Meyer, the general contractor on the project; M. Lukas Company, which is supplying expertise in boiler refractory maintenance and repair work; and 1st Call Explosive Solutions Inc., which is doing the blasting work.

Employees for these companies have been staying, eating and shopping in the local area over the past several weeks while the work is being done.

On top of that, CR Meyer is using a lot of local trades workers to perform the job. Included are members of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local No. 111, Boilermakers Union Local No. 169, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Union Local No. 1510, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 510.

The city-owned BLP has been providing reliable electric power to the residents of the city, as well as all or portions of nine surrounding townships, for more than 125 years. Historically, the BLP’s rates have also been among the lowest in the region, which is certainly welcomed by its roughly 16,000 customers.

We believe the residents and businesses served by the BLP are fortunate to have a publicly-owned utility meeting their electricity needs, while carrying out a calculated maintenance and upgrading plan that should help guarantee its continued quality operation well into the future.

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