Commission Votes to Enter Memorandum of Understanding

September 11, 2015 Leave a comment


The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission voted today to enter a memorandum of understanding to work with five Nebraska Natural Resource Districts and the Nebraska Public Power District to take steps towards transfer of assets, including NPPD’s water appropriations on the Niobrara River, Spencer Hydro dam, and the lands and easements associated with the dam.

The Commission voted to enter the memorandum of understanding during a special meeting at the Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. in Lincoln, at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The Commission and the NRDs will seek legislative authority to convert NPPD’s water rights to a multi-use water right, part of which will be conserved for recreation and fish and wildlife needs, and part of which will be conserved for integrated water management in the Niobrara River basin. NPPD will continue to operate the dam in the meantime.

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Nebraskans Discuss State’s Energy Future

August 25, 2015 Leave a comment


By Lauren Kolojejchick-Kotch, laurenk@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs 

When it comes to power, Nebraska is unique from every other state. That’s because our state is the only one in the nation with public power, giving Nebraskans the ability to elect board members that will represent our interests when it comes to powering our homes and businesses. To ensure that we are being properly represented, Nebraskans must be active in learning about energy in the state and what public power districts are planning for the future.

 

Nebraskans should be asking questions, and making their voices heard. Public Power affords all ratepayer-owners a say in our energy future.

 

This month, the Center for Rural Affairs organized a community conversation in Norfolk with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Director Virgil Froehlich, and several staff members from NPPD. The meeting provided residents with the chance to share their thoughts on energy in Nebraska, as well as learn more about NPPD and energy issues brought up by other participants.

 

The event was attended by educators, business leaders, farmers, advocates, elected representatives, and engaged citizens of all ages.

 

The community conversation was informative, and allowed local residents to get to know their board member better. Everyone came to the event with an interest in energy and what it means to their community, and had good questions for NPPD staff. One privilege of living in a state where power utilities are publicly owned, is having the ability to speak directly to your elected board representatives. We all have a responsibility to engage in discussions like these.

 

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Coal-to-Clean in Southeast Nebraska

October 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Lyons, Nebraska – Wind advocates in Hallam, Nebraska, population 213, got some good news this week.  Volkswind USA Inc., an international wind developer, applied for special use permits from Lancaster and Gage counties to build 54 wind turbines near this Southeast Nebraska community.
“The Center for Rural Affairs is excited for Hallam, and encouraged about Volkswind USA’s announcement,” said Virginia Meyer, Rural Organizer at the Center for Rural Affairs. “We continue to encourage the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and Lincoln Electric System to take advantage of the economic, environmental and health benefits of wind. And this proposed Volkswind USA wind farm is an important step in Southeast Nebraska’s transition from coal to clean energy.”
According to Meyer, a recent NPPD study found that phasing out the Sheldon Station Coal Plant and increasing wind energy in the area will save customers money. Moreover, the Hallam area is well positioned to reap the benefits of wind development. The town is home to Sheldon Station, an aging coal fired power plant.  Hallam’s proximity to Lincoln and Omaha and access to transmission lines make it an excellent choice for renewable energy development.
A recent Lincoln Journal Star article (Developer plans 11,000-acre Nebraska wind farm, September 29) reported that Volkswind believes the wind farm will provide more than 200 jobs during the construction period, additional full-time operating jobs and about $700,000 in total property tax benefits annually to both counties.  Volkswind is submitting proposals to Lincoln Electric System (LES), the public power entity serving Lincoln, NE, which is looking to add up to 100 megawatts of wind energy to their energy portfolio.

“While wind provides jobs, property tax benefits and payments to landowners, Sheldon Station contributes to air and water pollution in the Hallam area, preventing area families from enjoying clean air, water, hunting and fishing,” noted Meyer. “Sheldon Station also has 147 reported Clean Water Act violations, the fourth most in the nation. Pollution from Sheldon Station dirties the air, soil, and water; posing a real threat to the health and happiness of area families.”

Sheldon Station is owned and operated by the Nebraska Public Power District, the public power entity that serves most rural parts of Nebraska. Lincoln Electric Systems contracts for about one-quarter of the Sheldon Station’s energy output.

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Center for Rural Affairs: Wind Energy

October 11, 2013 Leave a comment


NPPD rejects investment in wind
Lyons, Nebraska – Today, the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) board of directors voted, 6 to 3, to reject proposals to increase the district’s wind energy purchases.

Public power means doing more than lining the pockets of out-of-state companies. The same tired arguments, focusing on cost and intermittency, lose credibility each day as utilities in bordering states continue to invest in their local economy. If wind energy works there, it can work here. Nebraskans deserve better.

Johnathan Hladik, Senior Policy Advocate, Center for Rural Affairs

“In the discussion, board member Ed Schrock made the claim that there are no NPPD customers that want to invest in more wind,” said Hladik. “But that simply isn’t the reality, it runs counter to our experience. Farmers, ranchers, business owners, educators, healthcare providers and many other rural and small town Nebraskans have told us, directly, unequivocally, that they support investing in wind.”
According to Hladik, NPPD directors Mary Harding of Denton, Fred Christensen of Lyons, and Second Vice Chairman Gary Thompson of Beatrice all voted in favor of investing in more wind generated electricity. The remainder of the board voted to reject any additional wind investments.
“The Center for Rural Affairs also wants to acknowledge Mary Harding, Fred Christensen and Gary Thompson for all their efforts on these issues,” said Hladik. “Their hard work and persistence demonstrate the kind of true leadership that rural Nebraskans want and need to help create a better future across Nebraska.”
“The vote today demonstrates that the only way to change the direction of NPPD on this issue is if constituents stand up, hold the boards’ feet to the fire, and urge them to invest more in wind energy. If their constituents speak out, we can hope for more leadership from other board members. The kind of leadership that Gary, Mary and Fred showed today, the kind of leadership that rural and small town Nebraskans elected them to provide,” concluded Hladik.
In advance of the vote, the Center for Rural Affairs shared a letter signed by 28 rural and small town community leaders in medicine, education, agriculture, economic development and the faith community, with the NPPD board urging them to make investments in rural and small town Nebraska’s energy future by purchasing locally produced wind power at today’s historically low rates.

The public release of that letter, along with the full text of the letter and signatories, can be viewed or downloaded at http://files.cfra.org/pdf/nppd-sign-on-letter.pdf

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