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3/7/2024
Planned outage scheduled in Boyd County, parts of Holt and Knox County

Columbus, Neb. – A planned outage is scheduled for electric customers in Boyd County as well as parts of Holt and Knox County, Sunday, March 17th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to prepare for the replacement of a transformer at the substation that serves the area.

The outage will impact Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) customers in the communities of Butte, Bristow, Lynch, and the Village of Spencer, as well as Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation customers in rural Boyd County, northwestern Knox County, and northern Holt County.

“Outages are not convenient for anyone but taking this planned outage will allow our crews to prepare the site for the new transformer and to upgrade equipment at the substation, which will ensure reliable service to the area for many years to come,” noted NPPD Account Manager Brittney Koenig.

While the outage is taking place, crews from NPPD and Niobrara Valley will be completing some additional work on the distribution system in the area, that would otherwise require a planned outage to be completed. “We never like when any of our customers have to experience an outage, so taking advantage of this planned outage to complete additional work will prevent us from needing to take additional outages in the future,” notes Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation General Manager Matt Fritz.

Two more additional outages will be observed at later dates, and customers will be notified of these times and dates. NPPD works closely with the impacted public power companies and communities to schedule any planned outages.

3/6/2024
Power pole inspections to be conducted across the state

Columbus, Neb. - Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is starting the process to inspect poles on its distribution, subtransmission, and transmission system across the state.

NPPD has contracted with Alamon Utility Services to inspect wood poles on its distribution system and at its subtransmission facilities. Crews from the contractors are expected to begin inspections on March 11 and aim to complete the work by the end of June.

This process involves ground line excavation, inspection, and rehabilitation treatment. Crews will be dressed in high-visibility vests and will be traveling from pole to pole in a UTV. Communities that will be inspected include Chadron, Creighton, and Norfolk, plus subtransmission lines in the rural areas of Spencer, Page, Ainsworth, Long Pine, Ogallala, Brule, Sutherland, and Milford. The inspection program is a proactive approach to finding poles with decay before the poles fall.  

NPPD has also contracted with Osmose Utility Services to conduct wood pole inspections on the transmission system across the state. These inspections will last through June. In addition, NPPD line crews will be using helicopters to patrol all NPPD transmission lines from the air and UTVs to patrol the lines from the ground.

Anyone who has questions relating to this activity, please call 1-877-ASK-NPPD (275-6773). A customer service representative will then contact the necessary NPPD personnel to address any issues.

2/26/2024
NPPD welcomes Paxton as newest retail town

Columbus, Neb. – The Village of Paxton has entered into a Professional Retail Operating Agreement with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) that will go into effect March 1.

The Village will retain ownership of the electric system, while NPPD will provide all the functions of electric service, including operating the system, responding to outages, billing customers, and providing customer service. Customer electric accounts will automatically be transitioned to NPPD’s system.

“NPPD is very excited to welcome Paxton as our 80th retail community, and we look forward to providing the village with reliable and affordable power for years to come,” said NPPD General Manager of Retail Pat Hanrahan. Customers will have access to the NPPD web portal and mobile app to view and manage their accounts or can utilize NPPD’s 24-hour customer support by calling 1-877-ASK-NPPD.  

As part of the transition, NPPD crews will replace the current electric meters with new ones. The new meters are equipped with two-way communication known as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI); a digital metering technology used around the world for more than a decade. The new meters allow NPPD personnel to automatically read electric meters from service centers, provide a higher level of customer service, help customer service representatives troubleshoot billing concerns, and improve electric service reliability and power quality for customers.

“The installation of the AMI system helps maintain competitive electric rates for our customers by reducing operating expenses, but also allows our crews to pinpoint the exact location of outages quicker, meaning a faster response time in restoring power,” added Hanrahan.

Prior to installation, the District’s customer service organization will contact retail customers via phone to alert them to the installation of the meters. A District employee driving a marked vehicle will switch out the meter at the residence or business and will remove the old one from the premises. A resident or business owner does not need to be there when the switch-out occurs, and there will be a brief interruption of electric service.

2/8/2024
NPPD begins process to add new generation for future growth

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) continues to see substantial load growth and has begun the process to add new generation capacity to NPPD’s resource mix, following board approval of a capital budget item Thursday.

During Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting, NPPD’s Board of Directors approved the budget item. This starts the process of adding generation to serve the rapidly increasing load coming to the state. NPPD Economic Development Manager Nicole Sedlacek noted, “There has been a recent and sharp increase in new ag, ag industrial, and data center loads siting their facilities in Nebraska, due in part to the affordable and reliable electric service provided by the public power entities that serve Nebraska.”

The new generation resources are targeted to be installed by 2027 and would include the following:

  • 50 MWs of battery storage located near NPPD’s Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility
  • 50 MWs of battery storage capacity purchased from an existing privately-owned wind facility  
  • 216 MWs of dual fuel reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) that would use natural gas as a primary fuel source and have the option to utilize diesel
  • 420 MWs of dual fuel combustion turbines (CT) that would use natural gas as a primary fuel source and have the option to utilize diesel

The new generation increases diversity in NPPD’s overall fleet and provides a balance of operating flexibility and cost. “Every generation resource has its benefits and limitations, and our team believes this mix of resources is the best suited to meet the growing needs of our customers,” added NPPD Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer Mick Spencer. “The RICE engines are very efficient and have the ability to ramp up and down quickly to meet rapid fluctuations in load and generation. The CT turbines are also very flexible and can be installed at a lower capital cost. The battery storage system will take advantage of available capacity on the transmission system when load and energy prices are low while providing additional dispatchable generation when the need for energy is greater.” Specific locations for the RICE and CT turbines have not been announced but will be located at existing NPPD generating facilities. NPPD, like other utilities serving load in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), must demonstrate that it has sufficient generating capacity to serve its customers. These new generating resources will be available to serve expanding load, but NPPD will also serve them with energy from its existing resources and the SPP market. The planned generation expansion will require a variety of regulatory approvals.

The Board also approved NPPD to pursue the relicensing of Cooper Nuclear Station, located in Brownville. The plant is Nebraska’s largest, single-unit source of carbon-free energy, generating approximately 835 megawatts of electricity. It significantly contributes to the affordable, reliable energy NPPD provides its customers. The license renewal would allow the plant to generate for another 20 years, beginning in 2034 and operating through 2054.

“NPPD is very excited for the opportunity to work alongside our wholesale public power partners to serve the new loads that are coming to both their service territories and our service territory,” said NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent. “The process of adding new generation is one that is not taken lightly, and our team has been working diligently to find the best path forward with a continued focus on maintaining the affordable, reliable, sustainable, and resilient power service our customers have come to expect.”

For more information, please visit nppd.com/generation.

1/29/2024
NPPD announces final line route for Norfolk-Stanton North Project

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has finalized the route for the Norfolk-Stanton North Project, which will provide a necessary path for a new 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between two local substations.

“We are grateful for the active participation at our open houses and public hearings,” says NPPD Project Manager Paul Brune. “Their valuable input helped us accomplish our goal of identifying a final route. As we start the next step of the process, we will work closely with landowners to determine how we can best minimize impacts to their property.”

NPPD will soon begin contacting property owners along the route to keep them informed on the process. This will allow them to ask questions, provide any additional property information, and offer insight on land use. Right-of-way agents will also discuss right-of-entry agreements with each landowner which will allow NPPD to conduct environmental assessments, survey activities, engineering assessments, and structural spotting assessments. Crews will also be utilizing drones to conduct surveys along the route in preparation for construction of the new line.

The approximately eight-mile long 115 kV transmission line will provide a necessary path between the Norfolk substation on the east side of Norfolk to the Stanton North substation northwest of Stanton. The new line will increase the transmission system’s capacity to meet increasing demand and further enhance reliability and resiliency in the Stanton, Cuming, and Burt County areas. This project fulfils NPPD’s obligation to serve wholesale customer demand. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin mid-2025.

A map of the final route and additional information on the Norfolk-Stanton North Project can be found at norfolk-stantonnorth.nppd.com.

1/11/2024
NPPD Board of Directors elects officers, Chlopek to serve as Chair

Columbus, Neb. – The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Board of Directors elected officers during Wednesday’s regularly scheduled meeting in Columbus.

Officers elected Wednesday will serve in their roles for a two-year term. Jerry Chlopek of Columbus was elected to serve as the Chair of NPPD’s Board of Directors, while Wayne Williams of Central City was elected to serve as first vice chair, Chris Langemeier of Schuyler will serve as second vice chair, and Aaron Troester of O’Neill was elected to serve as secretary. NPPD Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Laura Kapustka will continue to serve as treasurer.

“I’m looking forward to serving as Chair of the NPPD Board in 2024, and the opportunity to continue working alongside a great group of board members who are focused on bringing the best of public power to all of our customers,” adds Chlopek.

Chlopek has served on the NPPD board since 2009 and represents Subdivision 9, which consists of Butler, Platte, and Polk Counties. Previously he served as first vice chair in 2021 and has served as secretary for a total of seven years. Chlopek also served as Chair in 2022 and 2023. Chlopek worked for Cornhusker Public Power District for more than 40 years, retiring in 2009 as the utility’s Operations Director. A graduate of Genoa High School, Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army Reserve.

The Board of Directors also appointed Cristal Menke as assistant treasurer, and Christopher Norquest as deputy assistant treasurer. Jan Modelski was re-appointed as assistant secretary, and Sandra Keefover as deputy assistant secretary. All are from Columbus.

1/8/2024
Scottsbluff Community Solar array is back online, damaged panels to be recycled

Columbus, Neb. – The Scottsbluff Community Solar facility that was damaged in a June 2023 hailstorm has been repaired, re-commissioned, and returned to operation, with the damaged solar panels removed from the site to be recycled.

“The storm that rolled through the Scottsbluff area in June that contained softball and baseball size hail was exceptionally intense,” says Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) General Manager of Retail Pat Hanrahan. “The process to replace the panels and get it back online in a timely manner to serve the customers of Scottsbluff, is thanks to strong partnerships with Sol Systems and GenPro.”

Sol Systems, the co-developer and asset manager of the 4.375-megawatt AC community solar array worked with the solar facility’s insurance provider and the engineering, procurement, and construction firm, GenPro Energy Solutions, to replace the damaged panels. GenPro co-developed and constructed the solar array in 2017 and holds the operations and maintenance contract for the facility.

GenPro, who has developed and built many community and municipal solar projects throughout Nebraska, used a 17-person crew to complete the reconstruction work, including 12 workers from Scottsbluff. “We were very impressed with the crew that helped rebuild the Scottsbluff project. Their hard work allowed us to get the system back online efficiently and without any safety instances,” said Jeremy Anderson, GenPro’s CCO.  

Sol Systems is also working with the company SOLARCYCLE to recycle the damaged panels. SOLARCYCLE says their process for recycling panels can extract up to 95% of the value from a panel and supplies the recycled material to build new panels and support domestic supply chains for key minerals. SOLARCYCLE’s Odessa, Texas recycling facility is fully permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

"We at Sol Systems are deeply committed to the resilience and sustainability of solar energy infrastructure. It's gratifying to see the Scottsbluff Community Solar facility come back online, providing a clean energy supply to the community. Through the SOLARCYCLE partnership, even damaged panels find purpose in recycling, embodying our dedication to environmental stewardship and a circular economy in renewable energy. We are proud to demonstrate that, even in the face of challenges, our approach remains environmentally conscious and community-focused,” said Eugene Rhee, Associate Vice President of Performance Engineering at Sol Systems.

NPPD has a power purchase agreement to buy the output from the solar facility, and NPPD customers who live in Scottsbluff can sign up for solar shares and receive a credit on their bill. Solar shares were paused while repairs were completed, and customers will start seeing a credit again on their bills for their December energy use.

1/5/2024
Safety important during severe winter weather

Columbus, Neb. – Much of Nebraska got its first taste of snow over the holidays and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind customers of the importance of safety during severe winter weather.

Severe winter storms with heavy amounts of snow, wind, or ice can impact powerlines and result in downed powerlines, downed power poles, and can cause power outages.

“If anyone were to come upon a downed powerline, they should stay clear of the area. Getting too close or touching a downed line could result in serious or fatal injuries,” says NPPD Vice-President of Energy Delivery Scott Walz. “Our crews are prepared and ready to respond to power outages during winter storms and will work to restore power to customers as quickly and as safely as possible.”

NPPD encourages customers to assemble a few items including a flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio, at least one gallon of water, and a small supply of food, to access in case of a winter outage. It is also suggested that the refrigerator and freezer doors should be kept closed during an outage to keep food cold.

Customers with access to a generator that can be used during an outage, should make sure they are never used indoors and are installed by a licensed electrician. “Generators and grills should not be used in areas that don’t have sufficient ventilation, such as a garage,” adds NPPD Corporate Safety Manager Brad Palu. “It’s also important to make sure indoor fireplaces are properly maintained and ventilated to ensure no one in the home breathes in dangerous fumes or that the fire spreads outside the fireplace.”

Customers can find outage information using the “NPPD On the Go!” mobile app or by going to nppd.com.

11/30/2023
NPPD to Host Public Hearings Dec. 12 for Norfolk-Stanton North Transmission Project

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will hold two public hearings for the proposed Norfolk-Stanton North project, December 12 at Victory Road Assembly of God Church in Norfolk from 1-3 p.m. and at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Stanton from 7-9 p.m.  

NPPD has identified the proposed route for a new approximately eight-mile, 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from NPPD’s existing Norfolk substation on the southeast side of Norfolk to NPPD’s existing Stanton North Substation in northwest Stanton County. The new line will increase the transmission system’s capacity to meet increasing demand and further enhance reliability and resiliency in the Stanton, Cuming, and Burt County areas. The project is in the second phase, in which NPPD hosts public hearings to present the proposed route. Property owners along the proposed route were mailed a certified letter invitation to the public hearings.  

One hour prior to each hearing, an open house will be available for attendees to visit with the project team. Similar to the previous open house held in September, this will be an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the project. A virtual open house will also be available December 12 through January 11, 2024, at norfolk-stantonnorth.nppd.com.  

The public hearing, required under Nebraska statutes, is conducted to present the proposed transmission project. A court reporter will be used to document all presentations by NPPD as well as public comments and questions.  

The public hearings will begin with a presentation from authorized NPPD representatives that will discuss the project need, engineering aspects, line route selections, and the easement acquisition process. NPPD will take questions and comments at the conclusion of the formal hearings.  

Once the public hearings conclude, there will be a 30-day comment period. After the comment period, NPPD will announce the final line route and begin meeting with landowners to discuss right-of-entry agreements to conduct initial activities on properties along the final route. These activities include surveys of the proposed easement areas as well as appraisal work. After engineering is complete, right-of-way agents will meet with landowners to fully explain the project as it relates to their specific property and explain terms and conditions of the easement needed for the line. NPPD strives for fair and respectful treatment of affected landowners during the entire process.  

For more information about the Norfolk-Stanton North Project, including newsletters and a map of the proposed route, visit norfolk-stantonnorth.nppd.com.

11/13/2023
NRPPD and NPPD agree to pursue wholesale power supply contract

Northwest Rural Public Power District (NRPPD) and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) have agreed to pursue a wholesale power supply contract starting May 1, 2024, following votes by NRPPD’s and NPPD’s Board of Directors.

NRPPD currently has a wholesale power supply contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative, based out of Westminster, Colorado. NRPPD has given notice to terminate that contract effective May 1, 2024.

NRPPD is headquartered in Hay Springs and serves 3,300 accounts in rural Dawes, Sheridan, and Cherry Counties in the Panhandle of Northwest Nebraska.

“Northwest Rural was a founding member of Tri-State and we’ve had a successful relationship for decades,” says Chance Briscoe, General Manager of NRPPD. “However, with the changes in the electric industry and consideration of NRPPD’s future needs, the Board of Directors believe NPPD offers the best opportunity for continued success into the future.”

NPPD currently serves customers in 84 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. This includes 24 Rural Public Power Districts and Cooperatives and 37 Municipalities through wholesale power supply contracts, as well as 79 retail communities, including two in South Dakota. NPPD’s Board of Directors voted 11-0 in favor of pursuing a wholesale power supply contract with NRPPD, during their regularly scheduled November meeting.

“The NPPD team is excited about the opportunity to partner with Northwest Rural Public Power District in our shared mission to provide low-cost and reliable energy to Nebraskans,” says NPPD Vice President of Customer Services and External Affairs Courtney Dentlinger. “NPPD has long served communities in Nebraska’s panhandle at the retail and wholesale level, and we look forward to working closely with NRPPD as their wholesale power supplier.”

NPPD benchmarks its wholesale rate with roughly 800 members of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) on a yearly basis. Several years ago, NPPD set a goal to be in the first quartile – which is at or below the 25th percentile for power cost. In 2020 NPPD met the goal for the first time since implementing the benchmark by finishing at the 23.2 percentile, then in 2021 improved to the 12.4 percentile, and now that data for 2022 has been finalized, NPPD’s rank improved further, finishing at the 11.7 percentile.

“NPPD has a proven track record for reliable power supply at extremely competitive rates,” says Briscoe. “With this agreement, NRPPD plans to offer a significant rate reduction to our electric customers in the near future and starting in May next year the agreement will keep more than $6 million a year from leaving the state of Nebraska.”

11/9/2023
NPPD Board approves steady rates for 2024

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD) retail and wholesale customers will see steady rates in 2024 following a vote by the board of directors Thursday.

NPPD retail customers will experience 11 consecutive years of stable rates, while wholesale customers who purchase electricity from NPPD will also see no overall rate increase for the seventh straight year. NPPD will be making adjustments within different retail rate classes, but overall, NPPD base rates will remain steady. Details on each rate class can be found on NPPD.com.

In addition, the NPPD Board of Directors has voted to provide approximately $57 million to wholesale customers in the form of a Production Cost Adjustment (PCA) credit. This is the sixth consecutive year that NPPD’s wholesale customers will receive a PCA credit.

“We’re excited to announce another year of stable rates, which comes thanks to the hard work of our entire team who constantly strives to provide low-cost, reliable, and sustainable energy to our customers, during a time when supply chain issues and rising costs remain a constant challenge” says NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent. “The Public Power model continues to be a strength for Nebraska, and NPPD’s diverse generation mix continues to be highly competitive and regularly dispatched in the Southwest Power Pool’s Integrated Market, providing direct benefits to our wholesale and retail customers, through continued low rates and reinvestments in our infrastructure and equipment."

NPPD benchmarks its wholesale rate with roughly 800 members of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) on a yearly basis. Several years ago, NPPD set a goal to be in the first quartile – which is at or below the 25th percentile for power cost. In 2020 NPPD met the goal for the first time since implementing the benchmark by finishing at the 23.2 percentile, then in 2021 improved to the 12.4 percentile, and now that data for 2022 has been finalized, NPPD’s rank improved further, finishing at the 11.7 percentile. As a not-for-profit public corporation, NPPD is able to share surpluses with customers in the form of credits which have been applied to the wholesale power bills and have effectively lowered the cost of power.

NPPD also benchmarks its retail rate using data from U.S. Energy Information Administration, who collected data from over 2,600 utilities across the nation. NPPD’s goal is to maintain a total retail base rate position among the lowest 15 percent of providers, and our most recent ranking improved from 7.7 percent in 2021 to 3.1 percent in 2022. Overall, the state of Nebraska ranks amongst the lowest residential rates in the nation. NPPD serves 79 communities at the retail level, which includes residential, commercial, and industrial customers in communities such as Kearney, Norfolk, Plattsmouth, Scottsbluff, and York.

10/30/2023
Ribbon cutting planned for new electric vehicle charging stations in Ainsworth

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will partner with SpeedeeMart for a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. to unveil Ainsworth’s first ChargePoint DC fast chargers.  

“We are starting to see Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers installed in more and more communities across the state and we’re excited to cut the ribbon on the new charges now located in Ainsworth,” said NPPD Account Manager Brittney Koenig. “These chargers will provide more options for EV owners both living in the Ainsworth area, and for those who are just passing through and need a place to charge.”  

The charger is a convenient option for charging an EV in a short amount of time for those traveling long distances. Just 30 minutes of charging with the DC fast charger provides most cars with approximately 70-75 miles of range.

The public, electric vehicle owners, and all those interested in learning about EVs and charging stations are invited to attend. SpeedeeMart is located at 822 East 4th Street.

10/18/2023
NPPD crews to conduct work on transmission line along 3rd Avenue

Columbus, Neb. – Work on a transmission line that runs along 3rd Avenue in Columbus, south of Highway 30, could impact traffic flow in the south bound lanes starting the week of Oct. 23.

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) crews will be refurbishing a transmission line that runs along the west side of 3rd Avenue and will be utilizing several pieces of large equipment to complete the work. At times large trucks or equipment with NPPD markings, will be stationed in the southbound lane of 3rd Avenue.

Crews will be using traffic cones to mark off the areas they will be working in, but with other road work already taking place in this area, NPPD wants to make sure people are aware so they can plan their commutes accordingly.

The work is expected to take roughly three weeks to complete, and crews will be working along 3rd Avenue between Highway 30 and South 5th Street during regular business hours, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

10/16/2023
Ribbon cutting planned for new electric vehicle charging stations at Big Bat’s

Columbus, Neb. – A ribbon cutting event will be held Tuesday, October 17 at 3:00 P.M. MT to unveil two new ChargePoint DC fast chargers, located at Big Bat’s truck stop.

Big Bat’s, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Northwest Rural Public Power District (NWRPPD), and the Chadron Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of the new chargers.

“These chargers will be a great addition to the Chadron area and aim to help ease range anxiety for electric vehicle (EV) owners living in or passing through the area, as well as provide more charging options for customers who are thinking about purchasing an EV,” said NPPD Account Manager Melody Baily.

Just 30 minutes of charging with the DC fast charger provides most cars with approximately 70-75 miles of range. The public, including EV owners and all those interested in learning about EVs and charging stations, are invited to attend.

10/13/2023
Ribbon cutting planned for new electric vehicle charging station in O’Neill

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will partner with Cubby’s Convenience Stores for a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. to unveil O’Neill’s first ChargePoint DC fast charger on the northwest side of Cubby’s, at 204 E Highway 20.  

“This is an important step forward and a great addition for O’Neill area electric vehicle (EV) owners and for visitors passing through the area.,” said NPPD Account Manager Brittney Koenig. “We are excited to partner with Cubby’s to add the charging station so we can help grow interest, satisfy demand for users, and alleviate hesitation to purchase EV’s because of range uncertainty and lack of charging facilities.”  

The charger is easy to use and is an option for charging an EV in a short amount of time for those traveling long distances. Just 30 minutes of charging with the DC fast charger provides most cars with approximately 70-75 miles of range.

The public, electric vehicle owners, and all those interested in learning about EVs and charging stations are invited to attend.

10/8/2023
NPPD recognizes National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day Oct. 8

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) joins the nation in celebrating the ninth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, which marks the progress of the industry by raising awareness of the benefits hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies provide in reducing emissions, while also driving economic growth.

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed on Oct. 8 (10.08) in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen - 1.008.  Hydrogen is already providing fuel, feedstock, and power to wide-ranging sectors of the U.S.  

“NPPD is proud to join with other innovative companies observing National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day,” said Generation Research Senior Program Manager Roman Estrada. “The hydrogen and fuel cell industries are continuing to make their mark on America’s energy landscape, as new technologies and industries utilize hydrogen in their production processes and as a fuel source. NPPD also continues to evaluate the usage of hydrogen as a fuel source and energy storage element for use in generation assets, both current and new, along other fuels options.”

Furthermore, NPPD is assessing additional options for hydrogen usage via efforts in developing an application for the Department of Energy (DOE) Regional Hydrogen Hubs created from the U.S. Congressional Infrastructure Bill (IIJA) and the Nebraska Legislative Bill (LB1099), which established a Governor’s appointed committee that NPPD chairs to support the state of Nebraska’s effort to participate in the DOE Regional Hydrogen Hubs. Nebraska partnered with Iowa and Missouri to form the Mid-Continent Clean Hydrogen Hub (MCH2) and is one of 27 regional hydrogen hubs who submitted applications to the DOE. The DOE is expected to select between six to 10 regional hubs to receive money. You can find more information on the regional hydrogen hub on the MCH2 website.

“Hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies offer a clear pathway toward low- and no-carbon emissions for a range of market sectors, as well as the potential to boost economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and spurring advanced American manufacturing and export opportunities at both the local and national level,” added Estrada. “As the technology continues to advance, we look forward to the opportunities it will bring to Nebraska and the wider region.”

For more information on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, please visit the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association website.

9/27/2023
NPPD to hold public hearing for two PURPA standards

Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing during the regularly scheduled October meeting to gather input on two proposed retail service standards in the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).

As a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, Congress amended the PURPA by adding two retail service standards. NPPD’s Board of Directors is required by the PURPA to consider and determine whether to adopt the two standards, which are related to demand response practices and electric vehicle (EV) charging programs.

The first standard up for consideration requires each utility to promote the use of demand response practices by customers to reduce electricity consumption during periods of unusually high demand.

The second standard up for consideration requires that each state consider measures to promote affordable and equitable EV charging options for customers, improve the customer experience associated with EV charging, accelerate third-party investment in EV chargers, and appropriately recover marginal costs of delivering electricity to EVs and EV charging equipment.

“The PURPA was initially implemented in 1978 to encourage, among other things, conservation of electric energy, increased efficiency of electric resources and equitable retail rates for electric consumers,” said NPPD Pricing and Rates Supervisor Scott Jackson. “New PURPA standards are periodically added for consideration by utilities. The public hearing in October provides an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the two new proposed standards.”

The public hearing is scheduled to take place at the NPPD General Office in Columbus during the Thursday, October 12, 2023, Board meeting at approximately 2 p.m. CDT.

The new standards up for consideration can be seen on nppd.com/purpa.

9/26/2023
Safety around powerlines important when operating large equipment

Columbus, Neb. – Fall weather is moving into the state and as farmers start to harvest their crops, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind equipment operators to look up and look out for powerlines.

NPPD asks large equipment operators working around powerlines to keep their equipment at least 20 feet away from any lines. “If a piece of equipment gets too close to a line, electricity can arc to the equipment and result in potentially serious or fatal injury,” says NPPD Vice President of Energy Delivery Scott Walz. “Whether it is a piece of farm equipment, or other large equipment such as excavators, it’s important that operators are aware of powerline locations so they can complete their work safely.”

NPPD also wants to remind farmers who utilize drones to take note of where powerlines are located. “Drones can be a great tool for farmers to implement into their operations. The pilots should be aware of powerlines, so they don’t damage their drones or the powerlines near the fields they’re operating in,” adds Walz.

If an equipment operator does get too close or contacts a powerline, anyone inside the vehicle should remain there until help can arrive and deenergize the line. When a powerline is touching a vehicle or lying on the ground, it can electrify both the vehicle and the ground in the surrounding area. If a fire forces you to exit the vehicle, then do so by jumping away from the vehicle, landing on two feet, and shuffling as far away from the area as possible.

More information on harvest safety can be found on NPPD’s website at https://nppd.com/outages-safety/electrical-safety and farmers are encouraged to follow the tips below:

  • Each day review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around powerlines and remind all workers to take precautions.
  • Know the location of powerlines and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local public power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.
  • Use caution when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck or wagon. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a powerline is closer than it looks. For large equipment, use a spotter to make certain the equipment stays a safe distance from the line.
  • Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground or shifting weight can cause unexpected results.

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