Electric

Bay City Electric Light and Power (BCELP) strives to offer value to our customers by providing economical and reliable service.

BCELP has served the Bay City area since 1868 when it was known as the Bay City Gas Light Company. Today we serve over 21,000 customers in our service area which includes Bay City and the surrounding townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Monitor, and Portsmouth. 

Reliable Public Power Provider

BCELP received GOLD designation as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3). This is a national program facilitated through the American Public Power Agency (APPA) which recognizes utilities that demonstrate high proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.

Reliable Public Power Logo

Municipal Utility

Bay City Electric Light and Power (BCELP) is a municipal utility, owned by the City of Bay City, Michigan. As a municipal utility, BCELP is a not for profit, public service organization. Our success is measured by how much money stays in the community through lower rates, energy waste reduction programs, and utility services contributed to the city rather than by how much money goes out as profit to shareholders.

Electric Employee Group Picture

Vision Statement


We strive to offer value to our customers by providing reliable service at a competitive price.

Delivering Service


Delivering service to our customers requires more than 750 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines, fed from 10 distribution substations. Power is provided to these facilities from wholesale purchases, ownership of coal-fired generators Belle River and Campbell through the Michigan Public Power Agency, and local peak-shaving generating capacity at our Water Street and Henry Street plants.

At year-end, Bay City Electric Light and Power owned and operated plant and utility assets of $66 million with total annual revenues of approximately $38.4 million. BCELP currently has 42 employees to carryout the day to day operations of the utility including line construction and maintenance, line clearance, street light maintenance, generating plant operation and maintenance, metering installation and maintenance, service building upkeep, purchasing materials and supplies, and system planning functions.

Service Area


Bay City Electric Light and Power provides service to over 21,000 customers in Bay City and surrounding townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Monitor, and Portsmouth.