Who We Are
Traverse City Light & Power prides itself on being a responsive and community-powered utility with a level of programs and services that enhance our quality of life and make Traverse City a better place to live. Our residential, commercial and industrial customers enjoy reliable power at low rates because we’re community owned. In addition to contributing to Traverse City’s financial stability, TCLP is also committed to investing in a wide variety of community-related projects that range from environmental programs to education.
Mission
To serve as the trusted community partner for delivering innovative, affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable energy and telecom solutions.
Vision
Our vision is to lead with positivity, creating a brighter future for all. As an innovative electric and telecom utility, we harness the power of clean energy and fiber connectivity through sustainable partnerships, services, and programs. We enrich our communities by anticipating and exceeding evolving customer needs with operational excellence.
Value Statements
Upholding the highest ethical standards of honesty and conduct to ensure the safety and reliability of our services as a testament to our commitment to the customers, community and stakeholders we serve.
Embracing environmental stewardship, positive social impact, and economic stability to ensure a thriving planet and prosperous communities.
Embracing change and pioneering forward-thinking solutions to meet the future head-on.
Fostering inclusive partnerships and teamwork, uniting diverse perspectives to achieve common goals and build stronger connected and energized communities.
Fostering a positive outlook as we navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Strategic Priorities
Community Enrichment
Embrace the benefits of public power for current and future generations by fostering a vibrant and thriving community, as an invested civic partner fueling economic growth and sustainable development.
Customer Experience
Elevate the customer experience by delivering unparalleled service quality, introducing cutting-edge, customer-driven offerings, and fostering seamless, engaging interactions across all digital and physical touchpoints.
Employee Excellence
Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative, and versatile team that excels in their current roles and is equipped to handle future challenges and opportunities.
Operational & Financial Excellence
Drive excellence and resilience in energy and telecom operations with innovative technologies and practices, prioritizing safety, reliability, and responsiveness to TCLP customers. Bolster TCLP’s financial resilience by strategically diversifying revenue streams and enhancing financial management practices.
Technology Transition
Embrace and integrate cutting-edge technologies to spearhead a culture of innovation within TCLP. Focus on strategic investments in new technological solutions, engaging in rigorous research and development, and forging strategic partnerships that drive organizational growth. Aim to deliver innovative customer-centric services and solutions that not only bolster revenue growth but also position TCLP as a pioneer in utility sector technology and service excellence.
Environmental Sustainability
Lead in comprehensive environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing towards 100% renewable energy usage by 2040. Expand TCLP’s commitment to include the preservation of all natural resources, adopting and promoting practices that ensure the sustainable management of air, water, and land. Through innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships, TCLP will set industry benchmarks in holistic environmental stewardship, extending its impact beyond energy and telecom operations to foster a healthy planet and sustainable future for its community and stakeholders.
Annual Report
TCLP’s History
TCLP currently is on track to accomplish our aggressive goal to receive 40% of power from renewable energy by 2025. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral, including 100% of power from renewable sources, by 2040. TCLP now serves more than 13,200 meters in the city of Traverse City as well as parts of the surrounding townships of East Bay, Elmwood, Garfield, and Peninsula.
As the environment started to become more of a concern TCLP was at the forefront of renewable generation adoption by purchasing and installing the largest wind turbine in the United States on the distribution system in 1996. This was followed by the decommissioning of the Bayside Plant in 2005, and a purchase agreement for 10 megawatts of wind generation in 2009. In 2013 TCLP partnered with Cherryland Electric Cooperative on Michigan’s first community solar project. TCLP partnered with Heritage Sustainable Energy in 2017 to install 1 megawatt of solar under the former TCLP wind turbine. This was further expanded to a total of 5 megawatts with the final addition occurring in the summer of 2023.
In September 1961 the dam in Mayfield washed out during a heavy rainstorm. This influx of water combined with the higher water flow of the Boardman River caused the Keystone Dam to washout. Later in 1964 construction of the final expansion of the Bayside Plant was started by removing one of the old exhaust stacks. For a myriad of reasons power generation costs in the 1970s skyrocketed. This led to TCLP investigating repowering the Sabin and Boardman dams that were decommissioned for power-producing purposes in the 1960s. These dams were later repowered in the 1980s along with modernization improvements for the Brown Bridge dam including a SCADA system that allowed remote monitoring and control. On April 2, 1979, a separate board was established for TCLP due to the growing complexity of energy markets and the added knowledge required of representatives. This allowed TCLP to expand beyond producing all the electricity locally. TCLP could instead rely on the transmission system and cheaper power contracts with larger generation resources to provide power to the city more economically.
In 1908 Queen City Light and Power Company announced plans to build a hydroelectric dam on the Boardman River just northwest of what is now the Keystone Rd S and W River Rd intersection. This dam, later named the Keystone Dam after the small settlement that was flooded upon its creation, was completed and powered up on October 4, 1909. After only three years in operation, the dam and electric facilities were sold to the city of Traverse City for $150,000. This purchase also included flowage rights for what was later known as the Brown Bridge Dam. In 1920 the city investigated constructing a steam power plant, and after months of debate, the city voted to construct a steam generation plant at the former waterworks site. After further investigation, it was found that it would be more economical to construct a second dam on the property the city had flowage rights to. Construction of the dam started in August of 1921 with the removal of a bridge and water wheel mill by William Walter Brown, after whom the dam was named after. The Brown Bridge Dam was completed in 1922 at a final cost of $250,000. Upon completion demand for electricity continued to rise which led to TCLP purchasing and installing a steam turbine in the former water works building, which would later become known as the Bayside Plant. The plant was later reconstructed in 1946 to add additional generation capacity.