Butler Power Plant: A Vibrant History & Bright Future
Today, the Butler City Light Plant is America’s oldest continuously operated public power utility in the United States, and it’s powered by Caterpillar 3516 Diesel Generators.
Nestled in western Missouri, Butler is a quiet, little community with a vibrant history. At its center, the historic Butler City Light Plant converts energy into bulk electrical power and distributes to the Bates County area electrical grid. The plant also protects the City of Butler from blackouts, extreme weather events and other potential threats to public safety, with emergency preparedness being a top focus.The City of Butler, often referred to as “Electric City” was the first to have electric power West of the Mississippi. County records reveal that on the evening of December 6, 1881, four burners on top of the Butler Courthouse were lit by electricity from the city plant. These burners flooded the courthouse and surrounding area in brilliant, illuminating light.
The sight was so spectacular that Kansas City area residents would take the train to Butler at night just to see the lights. Keep in mind, it wasn’t until almost a year later in September of 1882 that Thomas Edison’s well-known, Pearl Street Station in Manhattan, New York went into operation. Butler’s City Light Plant was one of the firsts for the nation and a truly remarkable innovation originating in the small community of Butler.
While the City of Wabash, Indiana boasts the very first public power utility operating just one year earlier in 1880, they relinquished the title of America’s oldest public power community to the City of Butler, when they sold their utility to a private company creating America’s first municipal utility. Today, Butler is the oldest continuously operated power utility in the US.In the late 1990’s the City of Butler approached Foley Power Solutions for an upgrade. Butler City officials ultimately opted to purchase four Cat 3516 diesel generator sets to replace their two vintage Fairbanks Morse generators.
“We wanted a system that would meet EPA regulations,” said Charles Long, Butler City Light Plant Supervisor. “And when we called, Foley came here immediately and worked with us to determine our exact needs. They set us up for the future with a power system that’s going to last for decades.”Cat’s 3516 diesel engines combine superior performance with excellent fuel economy and low emissions. These generators produce reliable power from 2000 to 2500 kVA at 60 Hz, allowing them to meet mission critical, continuous, standby and primary applications. All are designed to ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements and to accept 100% rated load in one step.
In the case of the City of Butler, Foley Power Solutions designed a power system that enables a steady stream of income, as well as delivers robust technology that provides fast-start capability in an emergency.
Last year, the plant played a key role by supplying power to the Southwest Power Pool during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. Winter Storm Uri brought major snowfall and damaging ice, followed by the coldest temperatures in decades in the south-central states, taking down the Texas power grid with excessive demand.
“It was on Valentine’s Day of 2021, that I remember bringing all of our generators online to help create additional emergency power for the grid to support the aftermath of Storm Uri,” said Jim Campbell, Butler City Light Equipment Manager. “Our plant has a history of service in our communities, banding together and helping out in times of crisis. Being able to pitch in and do our part to provide critical support is something that makes us all very proud.”Todd McClendon, Product Support Manager for Foley Power Solutions stated, “Reliable Cat power and dependable switchgear is essential as more cities improve infrastructure that’s been in place for centuries. Foley has a proven track record of supporting communities with solutions that are engineered to operate at peak efficiency and deliver power when and where it’s needed most, so progress can happen quickly.”
Today, more than ever, Foley Power Solutions is a critical participant in developing sustainable communities and empowering progress by enabling economic growth through infrastructure and energy development.
“We’re more than just a power supplier. We’re part of tight-knit communities just like the City of Butler, that empower the nation,” said McClendon.
BUTLER CITY LIGHT PLANT PHOTO GALLERY
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