Project Details:

• Length – 9 miles
• Schedule – Construction: early 2012. In-service: fall-2012.
• Budgeted Cost – $5.4 million

Project Status

Easement acquisition continues. NPPD Right-of-Way Agents have acquired 27 of 37 transmission line easements. Tree clearing is expected to begin the first part of March. 

Project Overview

Nebraska Public Power District plans to construct a 115,000 volt (115 kilovolt) transmission line in Custer County, east of Broken Bow to:

• Provide a connection to NPPD’s transmission system for an 80 megawatt wind-powered electric generation facility (wind farm) that is expected to be operational in 2012;
• Continue NPPD’s Board of Directors strategic goal of having 10 percent of its energy generated from renewable energy sources by the year 2020.

The line will be constructed from a new substation, owned by the wind farm developer (Edison Mission Group), to NPPD’s existing substation located south of Nebraska Highway 2 near Broken Bow. This line will carry the electrical energy generated by the wind farm to NPPD’s electrical grid for delivery throughout the state.

Public Involvement

NPPD first developes a Study Area for the project and presents it to the public. This is the entire area that will be studied for routing the transmission line. Once NPPD reviews the study area and public comments, NPPD narrows the options to alternative routes including a preferred line route.

A public hearing (required by Nebraska statute) is then held to present a proposed route; NPPD invites all landowners along the proposed route to attend. After a 30-day public comment period, NPPD finalizes a route and begins meeting with affected landowners. Surveys of proposed easement areas are then conducted as well as property valuation appraisals. NPPD strives for fair and respectful treatment with all affected landowners.

For additional information, please contact:

Mark Becker
Media Relations Specialist
Email: gridessential@nppd.com
Toll Free: 1-888-677-3416