During Public Power Week, CWLP celebrates the benefits it strives to provide including:
• Low rates
• High reliability
• Dedicated, local service
• Community focus
• Economic development
• Local decision-making
“City Water, Light and Power, like the other 2,000 municipally-owned utilities across the U.S., operates as a nonprofit to power and benefit the community it serves,” said Mayor Misty Buscher. “During Public Power Week it’s important to recognize why public power is the right choice as being community-owned and governed by local decision-making, which ensures reliable and customer-focused service to Springfield.”
Local control and a local public power workforce have equated to great affordability and reliability for CWLP electric customers.
“As we celebrate Public Power Week, I want to highlight CWLP’s pride in serving the Springfield community and honor all the dedicated men and women who power our city every day,” said Scott Rogers, Chief Utility Engineer at CWLP. “Being a municipal energy supplier allows us to continue the priority of serving our customers with affordable, reliable and responsible power as we have for over 100 years.”
AFFORDABLE RATES: CWLP residential electric costs for the past few years have trended below the average compared to other Illinois residential electric customers. In a comparison from the most recent 12-month period of data available July 2025 through June 2026, electric costs at CWLP for the average residential customer were 34% lower or $55 lower per month as compared to what customers of other Illinois utilities paid. Commercial electric rates in a recent survey indicated CWLP’s cost per kWh match or are lower than most peer utilities as well.
RELIABILITY: CWLP customer power outages have averaged 83 minutes in duration per outage over the last 10 years in comparison to Ameren Illinois with 205 minutes and ComEd at 165 minutes.
SUSTAINABILITY & HEALTHY COMMUNITY: CWLP’s low-cost utilities contribute to Springfield’s low cost of living and also support a healthy community and local economy. As affordability and reliability are just part of the foundation of CWLP’s mission, CWLP is additionally committed to sustainability and planning for the future. CWLP is beginning the process of for a new
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which will help guide decisions about how the utility will meet future electricity needs. The IRP is a guide and analysis of CWLP’s existing generation and operations, projected electricity demand, fuel prices, reliability requirements, regulatory and environmental requirements, emerging technologies and community priorities.
# # #
Follow CWLP on social media as we celebrate the week on the benefits of public power and tips for how our customers can use energy wisely.
Data on reliability from ICC Annual Report on Electricity, Gas, Water & Sewer Utilities
