GARLAND, Texas, August 15, 2006 - An important transition is about to take place at Garland Power & Light, the city-owned electric utility that serves most Garland residents and businesses.

Electric Utility Director Jim Harder is retiring August 23, after 11 years with GP&L. Harder began his tenure in Garland in 1995 after working at several utilities during the course of his career including the City of Denton and Southern California Edison. Harder has led GP&L during periods of transformation in the utility industry, including deregulation and changes in the electric wholesale market. He also steered GP&L through the purchase of the Spencer Power Plant and a broad expansion of the utility’s infrastructure, including the purchase and construction of a 75 megawatt combustion turbine.

As the director of GP&L, Harder gained a wide-reaching reputation for his leadership in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), first as a board member, and more recently as an alternate board member. He has always been a vocal advocate for GP&L and its customers. Earlier this month, the Texas Public Power Association presented Harder with a Career Achievement Award for his contributions to the public power industry.

"Garland has benefited from Jim's leadership and insight into the electric industry. He has worked hard on behalf of the electric ratepayers in this City," says Mayor Bob Day.

Garland City Manager Bill Dollar added, “Jim has helped steer GP&L through some of the most difficult times a utility can face. He will be greatly missed. Fortunately, he not only served the City well as GP&L’s chief, he helped groom a new generation of leaders to take us into the future.”

The City will conduct a search for a new Managing Director for the electric utility. In the meantime, the City Manager will oversee the management efforts of three Assistant Directors: Paul Breitzman will serve as Assistant Director of Non-Regulated Services such as fuel management and ERCOT resources; Art Martinez will be Assistant Director of Regulated Services such as electric production, rates, distribution and strategic planning; Jeff Janke will be Assistant Director of Administration managing customer service, commercial accounts, and office administration.