Lubbock Power and Light
Lubbock Power and Light (LP&L) is third largest municipal electric utility in Texas.[1] LP&L serves more than 101,000 electric meters and owns and maintains 4,300 square miles (11,000 km2) of power lines and three power plants in and around the City of Lubbock, Texas.[2][3]
Logo | |
LP&L | |
Type | Municipal corporation |
Industry | Energy |
Predecessors |
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Founded | 1916 |
Key people | David McCalla (Director) |
Products | Electricity & Public services billing |
Revenue | $243.9 million USD (2017) |
Owner | City of Lubbock |
Website | lpandl |
History
In 1909, Lubbock Electric Light & Power Company was the first attempt at forming a private power company in Lubbock. However, the company failed shortly thereafter.[4] Lubbock Light & Ice Company was formed following the demise of the first company. Expected growth was not realized, so company was sold in 1913 to local businessmen who renamed it Malone Light & Ice Company. The Malone company was sold to Texas Utilities Co. on September 7, 1915.
On December 21, 1916, the Lubbock city council voted to build a new power plant after failing to negotiate rate concessions from Texas Utilities. The plant came online on or before September 17, 1917, and formed the backbone of what eventually became LP&L.[4]
From 1993 to 2003, successive city councils drew more than $60 million from the company's reserve fund to cover unrelated expenses. Additionally, six years of chronic mismanagement resulted in a $22 million operating deficit. The company teetered on bankruptcy. Beginning in 2004, the city restructured the company, including creating an independent utility board.[5] Contributions to the city's general fund restarted in 2010.[6]
The company completed the acquisition of Xcel Energy’s meters and distribution systems within the city on October 29, 2010.[2] The assets were previously owned by the Southwest Public Service Co., effectively ending sixty years of competition between the two companies.[7][4]
About
LP&L engages in electricity generation and distribution, as well as billing and meter reading services.[3]
Executives
- David McCalla, Director of Electric Utilities
- Jenny Smith, General Counsel
- Andy Burcham, Assistant Director/CFO
- Blair McGinnis, Chief Operating Officer
- Chris Sims, Director of Grid Control & Compliance
- Matt Rose, Public Affairs & Government Relations Manager
Electric Utility Board
On November 2, 2004, Lubbock voters elected to amend the Charter of the City to provide for an Electric Utility Board to supervise LP&L.[5][8] The board's responsibilities include oversight, fiscal maintenance, and promotion of an orderly economic and business-like administration of LP&L.
- Dan Odom, Chairman
- Kevin McMahon, Vice Chairman
- Gwen Stafford, Secretary
- Don Boatman
- Edwin E. “Butch” Davis, P.E.
- Solomon Fields
- Jane U. Henry
- Eddie Schulz
- Greg Taylor
- Dan Pope, Mayor of Lubbock
References
- Matyi, Bob (2018-02-16). "Lubbock Power & Light plans tied to ERCOT move advance | American Public Power Association". www.publicpower.org. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
- "About Us | LP&L". www.lpandl.com. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- "Annual Financial Report" (PDF). www.lpandl.com. 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- Cullon, Don (2010-04-12). "The History of Lubbock Power & Light [with Notes on Revisions Added]" (PDF). giberson.ba.ttu.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- "Lubbock City Charter, Chapter 1, Article XI | [Electric Utility Board]" (PDF). www.lpandl.com. 2004-11-02. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- Young, Adam D. (2013-08-03). "Council seeks clear path on LP&L". Lubbock Avalanche. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- "Xcel Energy turns out lights in Lubbock". Amarillo Globe. 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- "Electric Utility Board | LP&L". www.lpandl.com. Retrieved 2018-12-17.