Who We Are
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the state’s largest electric generating utility and has been providing dependable and affordable electricity for more than half a century. NPPD currently serves all or parts of 84 of the state’s 93 counties.
- Governed by an elected 11-member Board of Directors
- Serves both retail and wholesale customers
- Utility has an integrated system comprised of generation, transmission, and distribution facilities.
- Diverse mix of generation resources includes:
Coal
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Wind
Natural Gas/Diesel/Other
Solar
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From the power plant, electric energy is delivered through a series of lines and substations where the voltage is reduced to the proper level for end-use customers.
SPP Overview
NPPD has been a member of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) since April 2009. The SPP’s primary focus is to ensure reliable power supplies, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale electricity prices. This project will help to strengthen the SPP electric system and to accommodate current and projected future loads.
Project Details
Project Description
With the Kearney Power Project, NPPD plans to build an approximate eight-mile, 115 kV transmission line to provide a necessary path between two local substations. The project will increase the system’s transmission system capacity to meet demand and further enhance reliability and resiliency in the Kearney area.
Purpose & Need
The City of Kearney is rapidly growing, and the current transmission system is facing increasing electrical demand on its existing 115 kV transmission system. A 115 kV transmission line from the Kearney TechOne substation on the east side of Kearney to the Tower substation on the west side of Kearney will accommodate current and projected future loads. The new line will provide additional reliability and enhanced resiliency of the transmission system for the Kearney area.
Project Map
Since the open house in November, the project team has been reviewing all comments in order to narrow down the preferred and alternative routes into a proposed route. This route is displayed on the area map below.
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Project Schedule
We are currently in phase three, in which a public hearing is held to present a proposed route to the public. Next, a 30-day period to receive comments from the public will run through April 12, 2023. After the comment period concludes, NPPD will announce the final line route and begin meeting with landowners to obtain right-of entry where needed to conduct initial activities on the property, including surveying, soil sampling, or environmental studies.
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Routing and Siting Evaluation Criteria
Transmission line routing involves trade-offs between a variety of factors called routing criteria. The most promising route options balance each of the three types of criteria, which are social, environmental, and engineering.
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Environmental resources are evaluated as part of the route selection process and may include:
- Agricultural lands
- Recreational areas
- Water resources (lakes, streams, wetlands, and floodplains)
- Wildlife habitat areas
- Sensitive, threatened and endangered species
- Cultural and historical resources
- Visual resources
NPPD coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations such as:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
- Nebraska Department of Roads
- Natural Resource Districts
- Nebraska Historical Society
- Local Airport Authorities
- Private Non-Government Organizations
Criteria Prioritization Exercise Results
During phases one and two, we asked attendees to tell us which routing criteria was most important to them. The activity was conducted in both phases to see if public priorities had shifted since we narrowed down the route segments to the preferred and alternative routes. The results are as follows:
The top five identified in phase one were:
- Residences/Homes
- Agriculture
- Schools
- New/Plotted Developments
- Existing Infrastructure
The top five identified in phase two were:
- Residences/Homes
- Agriculture (tie)
- Schools (tie)
- Existing Infrastructure
- New/Plotted Developments
Transmission Line Structures
Typical single-pole structures
There are two typical types of structures that may be used on this project:
- 115 kV single-pole wood structure
- 115 kV single-pole steel structure
115 kV single-pole wood structure
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115 kV single-pole steel structure
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Right-of-Way
We strive to build positive, long-term relationships with landowners and tenants during right-of-way activities.
Right-of-Way Activities
Right-of-Entry Agreement - if needed, will provide access for:
- Environmental assessments
- Appraisal work
- Survey activities
- Cultural and historical resource assessments
Easement Acquisition:
- Compensation
- Terms and conditions
- Right-of-way width
Post Construction:
- Construction damage compensation
- Property restoration
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Easement Compensation
Compensation for the easements will be calculated based on 80% of the fair market value of the land as established by an appraisal, along with payment for any transmission line structures and any unique impacts specific to property. Additionally, the landowner or tenant will be compensated for any damages to crops, fences, or other property that may occur during construction or any future required maintenance.
Thank You!
Stay Involved
Thank you for attending!
kearneypower@nppd.com
1-888-677-3412
@nebraskapublicpowerdistrict
@NPPDnews
@NPPDTV