In December 1889, the Wyandotte Electric Light Company initially provided street lighting and electric service for the city. At this time, the company was a for-profit entity. After a few years, residents voted to create a municipal electric utility. Currently, WMS is one of the 41 public power systems in Michigan and one of 2,000 public power systems in the United States. The electric system alone generates $22.2 million in revenues, and sold 282 million kilowatt-hours in the year 2001. It is a member of the American Municipal Power-Ohio. Peak electric demands, which occur during the summer, span from 65 to 70 megawatts. The electric system has two sources of supply to provide reliable, and most economical service: • A 70-megawatt municipal power plant • A 98-megawatt interconnection with ITC's 120,000-volt transmission system
Wyandotte Municipal Power Plant The Wyandotte municipal power plant has three boilers and four generators. Types of fuels that are consumed are coal, natural gas and
tire derived fuel (TDF). TDF is more efficient than coal, has a higher BTU value than coal, and is about half the price of coal. It produces nearly the same emissions. 95% of ash produced at the power plant becomes recycled materials like cement, and is used in steel production. 13,000 tons of TDF (which is the equivalent of 2.6 million tires) were used at the power plant in 2001.
Wyandotte Municipal Electric Distribution System The electric distribution system is separate from that of the surrounding areas. WMS owns its own lines, which in turn, are connected to the municipal power plant. Also, without additional charge, WMS maintains street lighting in the community. ==Water Services==