MARQUETTE, MI-- Customers of the Marquette Board of Light and Power will see a 30 percent increase in their electric bill next October.
Monday night the City Commission approved the BLP’s plan for the new Marquette Energy Center. The $65 million plan includes construction of three generators that will run on natural gas with a fuel oil backup. BLP officials say the area needs more dependable power generation as soon as possible.
The vote was 4-3. Dissenting were Tom Baldini, Sarah Cambensy, and Sarah Reynolds. They wanted more time to look at other power options.
Some businesses in the area say the rate hike--which includes 4.5-percent increases in the second and third years, as well--will negatively affect their bottom line. The typical residential customer’s monthly bill will rise in 2016 from $58 to $76.
The BLP will now seek a 20-year revenue bond to fund construction of the center near its current building.
