NPPD director Kirk Olson discusses public power issues with Dawson PPD’s Don Batie and Bob Wiseman.
Dawson Public Power District’s board invited Nebraska Public Power District directors to discuss rates, reliability, and the power supply at its meeting on September 2. Kirk Olson of North Platte, Rob Hinrichs of Axtell, Derek Rusher of Kearney, and Sue Fuchtman of Norfolk attended.
The NPPD directors talked about their commitment to current power customers while also considering new businesses coming to the state. Additional generation resources are being built to maintain reliability and increase capacity. Extensive planning is required because the units will serve the state for 30 or more years.
The July financial reports showed Dawson PPD holding controllable expenses steady, however power cost and revenue exceeded the budget due to hot, dry weather. The wholesale power bill was $5.7 million. The payment of monthly power bills for increased irrigation will put stress on cash reserves through the summer months while waiting to collect from irrigators at the end of the season. Total capital spending is four percent under budget through July.
Dawson PPD’s Joe Jeffrey and Bob Kennicutt welcome NPPD director Robin Hinrichs to the board meeting.
Dawson PPD’s board voted to direct the purchase of a 15/20/25 MVA WEG substation transformer pending the approval of the North Platte Area Chamber & Development board, which is managing grant funds. The transformer is bid at $1,670,200. It will be installed at the Hershey Rail Park/Nebraska International Port of the Plains site.
Also:
- Reliability metrics continue to show Dawson PPD as significantly better than national averages. In July, there were 0.131 outages per customer (SAIFI) as compared to the national 12-month average of 1.602. Lightning was the primary cause of July outages in Dawson PPD’s territory.
- The board reviewed the standby generator and transfer switch policy and the related incentive program. Transfer switches should be installed by an electrician, in compliance with National Electric Code and with three feet of clearance from Dawson PPD facilities. Transfer switches ensure that generator power does not go onto the power line where it could harm repairing the grid after a storm. Existing customer-owned transfer switches on Dawson PPD poles can remain if there are no changes made to their electrical infrastructure.
- The next board meeting is Friday, October 9.