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Marietta BLW presents strategy to keep rates competitive; council approves MEAG supplemental subscription
Summary
Marietta Power and Water (BLW) presented a strategic business plan reporting competitive rates versus Georgia Power and Cobb EMC, plans for meter data management and load growth; the council authorized the BLW board’s recommendation to execute the 2026 supplemental power subscription with MEAG.
Marietta Power and Water officials told the City Council Agenda Work Session that the utility’s residential and commercial rates remain competitive and outlined plans to improve customer data visibility and to support expected load growth.
BLW leadership said the utility’s rates sit below Georgia Power’s but above the lowest-emergency management cooperative (Cobb EMC). Eric Patton, who presented the strategic business plan, said the utility expects continued load growth as the city expands and that staff are evaluating meter-data-management tools to let customers and staff monitor energy use closer to real time.
The report also highlighted internal efforts to support workforce onboarding, including a staff-driven clothing donation program to help new employees have appropriate BLW and city shirts. Keisha Register and others organized “Sherry’s Closet” in recognition of a long‑time BLW employee, the presentation said.
General Manager Michael Mullen (title as provided in the meeting) and BLW finance staff walked the council through year‑to‑date results and supply considerations. BLW finance staff reported that supplemental sales and lower-than-forecast power costs helped reduce fiscal-year power expenses. Staff also reviewed fuel and market price volatility for natural gas and described how a July heat wave temporarily increased generation from coal and other plants to meet demand.
The BLW board recommended that the council authorize executing the utility’s 2026 annual supplemental power subscription with the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG), designating MEAG as the board’s agent to nominate and acquire resources as needed. The council approved that recommendation by consent at the work session; staff described the subscription as an annual execution that lets MEAG market the city’s excess capacity to other market participants.
The presentation and the full strategic business plan were made available on the BLW website, the presenters said.
The council did not adopt rate changes at the meeting; staff said the strategic plan and the contract authorization are intended to manage supply, support growth and provide options for customer-facing data tools in the coming year.
The city will return to the council with any contract documents, operational changes or specific rate proposals as needed.
