(308) 324-2386

Irrigation OVerview

Merger update: Going forward from here

In mid-February, the Nebraska Power Review Board heard testimony about the proposed merger of The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power District. The PRB asked for an extension of the normal 60-day deadline for a decision....

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Sign it online

Would you like a digital version of annual irrigation paperwork instead of mailed forms? Let us know! The goal is to streamline the process in 2024, reducing paper and postage. Two forms will be available electronically in 2024: the verification of customer...

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Irrigation Load Management Program

Dawson PPD offers a load management program for irrigation customers. It allows these customers to choose their electric rate by selecting a level of control that suits their needs. Control options range from “no control” to a few days of control up to a Seven-Day option. Rates decrease as the amount of control increases.

The program is administered by our wholesale power provider, Nebraska Public Power District. During times of high demand for power, NPPD will request that certain utilities control their customers’ electric usage. Dawson PPD uses radio-frequency devices to turn off the power to wells. Wells can be controlled up to 12 hours per day, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

By shedding load, Dawson PPD helps NPPD use our energy resources wisely. By eliminating the need to buy power on the open market and postponing the need to build new power plants, we are able to keep rates low.

Dawson PPD started its load management program in 1982. Today, there are over 146,000 horsepower of irrigation wells enrolled in load management.

LOAD MANAGEMENT 101

The chart above shows Dawson PPD’s electric load on August 2, 2011. The demand for power increased until 9:00 a.m. When load control began at 10:00 a.m., the load dropped by 70,000 kilowatts. The red depicts the hours of control throughout the day. The green shows the load during times without load control.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IRRIGATORS

Downgrading load management control options
Dawson PPD allows each irrigation account to downgrade to a lesser level of load management control one time during the irrigation season. The fee for this is $200 per account. The difference in the demand charges and the fee must be paid before the change in control is made. Changes are accepted during regular office hours.
Ending participation in load management during the irrigation season
Customers have the option to end their participation in the load management program. There is a $200 fee for this change, per account. The customer must pay the difference in demand charges between their current control level and the no control option, plus the fee before this change is made. The change to no control can be made during regular office hours.
Reconnecting an irrigation service on standby
There is a $100 charge to reconnect any irrigation well that had been in standby status. This charge is in addition to the horsepower fixed charges. Contact Dawson PPD for rate information.

If you need to opt back in to text messages...

If you have previously signed up for Dawson PPD load management text messages, then cancelled your subscription via text, you must opt yourself back in. Text the word “cancel” to 833-916-3432 to opt back in to receiving load management text messages.

Location

75191 Rd. 433
PO Box 777
Lexington, NE 68850

Call

(308) 324-2386
(800) 752-8305

Hours

Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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Irrigation