Electricity

The Electric Utility Department is divided into two divisions: (1) the Plant Division and (2) the Systems Division. The Electric Utility is an enterprise fund activity. The stated intent of this Department is to provide electricity to customers and to pay for the costs of providing the service through user charges.

The City's electricity is purchased or generated and distributed over approximately 63 miles of power lines. The power is most often purchased at wholesale rates from Aquila, Inc. During peak loads of the summer season, the City of Beloit's Power Plant generators produce additional energy for the residents of the City. This allows for the lowest rates for power possible.

The responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Electric Utility falls on the Director of Plant Operations and the Director of Systems Operations.

Eight full-time employees, including two journey foreman and six journey operators, ensure the production of power during peak demands, provide routine preventive maintenance, make repairs to the Electric Plant, and repair and maintain the various pieces of equipment associated with electric generation. In addition, their responsibilities include the recording and monitoring of electrical generation equipment. The Plant is capable of producing 19,350 kilowatts produced on seven dual fuel (natural gas or diesel) engines.

The responsibilities of the Electric System Division fall on five full-time employees, including one journey foreman, one journey lineman, two lineman and one apprentice lineman. They provide the daily maintenance and repair necessary to properly operate the system over 63 miles of primary electrical lines, 500 street lights, 2,000 meters, 2 electrical substations, and 3 miles of telephone/scada wire. This crew is also responsible for providing preventive maintenance to all electric lines within the system. This crew also performs construction tasks such as the installation of power lines and substations.

In 2001, the Utility completed the construction of a new 115 kV substation and 34.5 kV transmission line to Beloit to guarantee its ability to purchase power on the open market, to guarantee it ability to purchase additional power for summer peak demands, and to guarantee the capacity to grow.