In a recent post on the public power utility’s website, Matt Lentsch, Executive Director of Development & Governmental Affairs for the City of Mishawaka, Indiana, highlights how the Mishawaka Utilities Electric Division’s (MUE) hard work and dedication maintains high levels of reliability for the city.
“In the City of Mishawaka, we don’t take power for granted. We know that when our residents flip the switch, they expect the lights to come on—and stay on,” wrote Lentsch.
“That reliability is made possible because of the dedicated team at Mishawaka Utilities Electric Division (MUE), whose work behind the scenes ensures that our homes, schools, businesses, and essential services remain energized around the clock,” he noted.
“At a time when power grids across the country are under stress, we’re proud to say that Mishawaka is investing heavily—both in infrastructure and in people—to keep the power on. MUE continues to lead the way in reliability, value, and service, and the results speak for themselves.”
Lensch noted that reliability “isn’t a coincidence -- it’s the result of careful planning and proactive investment. Each year, the City of Mishawaka and MUE commit millions of dollars to ensure our electric grid remains strong, modern, and resilient. From regular pole and line inspections to transformer replacements and substation upgrades, our preventative maintenance program allows us to fix small problems before they become big ones.”
This forward-thinking approach has paid off, he said.
In 2024, Mishawaka experienced just 15 total hours of outage time for the entire year. That’s across more than 13,000 customers citywide – “an extraordinary accomplishment that puts MUE among the best in the industry.”
In 2025, through July, MUE has recorded 32 outage events:
• 9 outages lasted less than a minute
• 16 outages were under 20 minutes
• Only 7 outages exceeded one hour, including one caused by a historic, once-in-a-generation storm.
On March 30, 2025, Mishawaka was hit with a rare, high-impact storm featuring straight-line winds and what meteorologists speculate may have included an F-1 tornado, with winds approaching 100 mph, Lentsch noted.
“The damage to trees, poles, lines, and public infrastructure was significant, but our MUE crews didn’t blink. With help from six mutual aid crews through Hoosier Edison, the electric division responded immediately -- working around the clock in dangerous weather conditions. And in just three and a half days, every outage was resolved and every damaged pole, transformer, and section of line was replaced or repaired.”
That kind of response “doesn’t happen without a strong team. Our MUE linemen, engineers, dispatchers, and support staff are among the best in the state. They are trained, experienced, and committed to excellence—whether that means climbing poles in sub-zero temperatures, restoring lines after midnight, or managing the grid during a summer peak," Lentsch said.
"As a municipal, non-profit utility, Mishawaka Utilities exists to serve our community—not shareholders. That means every dollar we collect goes right back into system improvements, training, and service delivery. It also means our customers enjoy some of the most competitive electric rates in Indiana," he wrote. "In fact, MUE consistently offers rates that are up to 40% lower than those of many investor-owned utilities, without sacrificing reliability. That’s a rare combination in today’s energy landscape."
Lentsch went on to say that when "most people are sheltering indoors, our MUE professionals are out in the elements—doing whatever it takes to keep power flowing safely and reliably. We are proud of our team. Their commitment, skill, and work ethic are what keep our city running—day in and day out, rain or shine."
