Generator—Fall 2023

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District FALL 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Heesacker
Chairman
Bob Cerv
First Vice Chairman
Jim Donoghue
Second Vice Chairman
Mike Fleming
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Alan Drozd
Larry Zach
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Accounting & Finance/CFO
Todd Duren
Vice President,
Corporate Services
Korey Hobza
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
The Loup Generator is
published quarterly
as a service for Loup
employees, families,
friends, and associates.
For feedback, story ideas,
and submissions, contact:
Stacy Wemhoff
Communications Coordinator
402-562-5711
swemhoff@loup.com
2 | GENERATOR
Protect yourself from cyber
criminals with these tips
In today’s digital world, cyberattacks
are unfortunately nothing new. Cyber
criminals can attack on a multitude of
levels, from large-scale attacks targeting
corporations to smaller phishing attacks
aimed at gaining an individual’s personal
information.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness
Month, but good cyber hygiene should be
practiced year-round. This year’s theme is
“See Yourself in Cyber” – because we all
have a part to play in cybersecurity. When
we hear about massive data breaches, it
can feel overwhelming and lead us to think
we’re powerless as individuals to stop
cyber criminals.
However, there are several practical steps
we can take to safeguard our devices and
data. Here are four easy ways to boost your
cyber hygiene:
1. ENABLE MULTI-FACTOR
AUTHENTICATION.
Also known as two-step verification, multifactor
authentication adds a second step
when logging into an account (to prove
you’re really you), which greatly increases
the security of the account. This second
step could include an extra PIN, answering
See Yourself
in Cyber.
October is Cybersecurity
Awareness Month
Improve your cyber
hygiene by doing
these four things:
1. Enable multi-factor
authentication
2. Use strong
passwords and a
password manager
3. Update software
regularly
4. Recognize and
report phishing
attacks
an extra security question, receiving an email code, or a secure token. Regardless of the type of authentication,
this additional step makes it twice as hard for cyber criminals to access your account. Not every
account offers multi-factor authentication, but it’s becoming increasingly popular and should be utilized
when available.
2. USE STRONG PASSWORDS AND A PASSWORD MANAGER.
Remember, passwords are the “keys” to your personal home online. Your passwords should always be
long, unique and complex. Create passwords using at least 12 characters, never reuse passwords for
multiple accounts, and use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters.
If you have a lot of accounts, consider using a password manager app to store them easily and
securely in one place.
3. UPDATE SOFTWARE.
It may seem obvious, but regularly updating software is one of the easiest ways to keep your personal
information secure. Most companies provide automatic updates and will send reminders so you can
easily install the update. If you’re not receiving automatic software updates, set a reminder to do so
quarterly. Be aware that some cyber criminals will send fake updates; these typically appear as a pop-up
window when visiting a website. Use good judgement and always think before you click.
4.RECOGNIZE AND REPORT PHISHING ATTACKS.
Don’t take the bait when cyber criminals go phishing. The signs of a phishing attack can be subtle, so take
the extra time to thoroughly inspect emails. Most phishing emails include offers that are too good to be
true, an urgent or alarming tone, misspellings and poorly-crafted language, ambiguous greetings, strange
requests, or an email address that doesn’t match the company it’s coming from. Most platforms like
Outlook, Gmail, and Mac Mail allow users to report phishing emails. If you suspect a phishing attempt,
take an extra minute to report it.
Cyber criminals are here to stay, but when we all take a risk-based approach to our cyber behavior, we’re
creating a safer internet for all. Visit www.staysafeonline.org for additional cybersecurity tips.

president’s message
Economic development one
of Loup’s main objectives
Loup Power District has three main
objectives that have been in place since the
District initially started business. These
three objectives are:
1. To provide reliable electric service to its
customers at rates that are fair, reasonable,
and non-discriminatory and to bring to its
customers the rewards of an efficient and
prudent operation.
2. To improve and promote the economic
development in our area.
3. To make maximum use of the water of the
Loup River to generate power.
I want to focus on the second objective that
deals with economic development.
The District works to promote the benefits
of our service territory to existing and new
businesses looking to grow in this area. We
work with communities we serve as well as
the the economic development agencies in
those communities.
Each new business opportunity brings new
challenges, including workforce issues,
housing and in some instances, the ability
to serve the load with existing or newly
proposed infrastructure additions.
We want to be sure existing businesses
are not affected by new opportunities. The
workforce challenge seems to be one of
the greatest issues this area has faced in a
number of years.
With low statewide unemployment levels,
finding new workforce to locate to the area,
and subsequently, finding housing for that
workforce has forced the District and our
economic development partners to really
up our game in this area.
District personnel have worked with our
communities to promote job fairs at local
universities and community colleges and
have worked on various proposals to bring
more workers to this area. This is always a
challenge, as bringing in people who have
never lived in this area can sometimes be
difficult on families looking to relocate.
This is why the District also works with
communities on housing issues, quality of
life issues, and the overall betterment of the
communities. We want to provide a familyoriented
and safe place for families to
relocate to and settle down. This is the true
testament to economic development.
Obviously, the District’s main goal is to
provide electricity to our customers, but
these other facets play an important part of
our daily work life.
Being able to provide a good quality of life
in our area benefits our employees as well
and makes it one of the reasons that I love
Loup Power District and the four-county
area that we serve.
NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
FALL 2023 | 3

RETIREE PROFILE:
Jim Jakub serves fellow veterans
Jim Jakub is one of nearly 2 million men drafted by the
United States military to serve in the Vietnam War.
He attended basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana
shortly after his graduation from Schuyler Central High
School in 1969. After that, he headed to Fort Bliss in
Texas for advanced training on M42 Dusters and Quad 50
machine guns. Then he went to Air Defense NCO Candidate
School and received his E-5 Sergeant stripes.
And then he volunteered to go to Vietnam.
“I wanted to help defend my country even though it was
a very unpopular war,” he said.
Jakub lead his squad for a year and then served seven
years in the Army Reserve.
More than 50 years later, Jakub has no regrets about his
nine-year military career.
“I’m very proud of my service,” he said. “I would do it
again.”
I’m very proud of my service.
I would do it again.”
Back in Nebraska, Jakub settled in Columbus with
his wife, Elaine, and began his career and his family. He
worked for a few different employers over the years and
then someone suggested he apply at Loup Power District.
He got the job and began his career as a Plant Operator
at the Columbus Powerhouse.
“It was a new challenge,” Jakub said. “And I like
challenges.”
Jakub ended up working at Loup for 20 years, retiring
in 2014. It was during that time, that he learned about
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) group while attending a
Veterans Day program. Jakub — a member of the VFW and
American Legion — wanted to know more about the group.
The more he learned, the more he realized he was ready
for a new challenge: serving veterans with the DAV.
***
The DAV’s main objective is working with veterans and
their spouses and families to get the benefits they have
earned through their service.
Jakub said the paperwork is complicated. Veterans need
help filling it out, providing the proper documentation,
and submitting their claims.
The DAV also offers transportation services to veterans
in certain areas and has a disaster relief program.
“DAV is there to assist veterans in many ways,” he said.
Jakub added that some veterans, such as those who
served in the National Guard and Reserve, feel they don’t
deserve benefits, especially if they haven’t gone oversees
or been in combat situations. Jakub assures they them are
indeed veterans and need to have a DAV service officer help
them with their claims.
“I tell them, ‘If you raised your right hand and swore
allegiance to this country, you signed a blank check and
now we need to take care of you,’” he said.
Jakub signed that blank check. But he’s not the only one
in his family to do so.
He had two brothers who also served in the Vietnam
War. One was in Vietnam at the same time serving with the
Army. The other was in Thailand with the Air Force. Jakub
acknowledges that having three children serving overseas
at the same time had to be difficult for his mother.
“I think that’s why my mom colored her hair,” he joked.
Jakub’s father, Edward, served in World War II on the
island of Saipan. His son, Jamie, is an Air Force Officer and
the Adjutant for the Department of Nebraska DAV.
4 | GENERATOR

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is dedicated to a single purpose:
empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and
dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their
families can access the full range of benefits available to them;
fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill;
and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of
veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
This mission is carried forward by:
• Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their
families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military
service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
and other agencies of government.
• Providing outreach concerning its program services to the
American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their
families specifically.
• Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families,
their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the
White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as state and local
government.
• Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the communities where
these veterans and their families live through a network of
state-level Departments and local Chapters.
• Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can
express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a
variety of volunteer programs.
• Connecting veterans with meaningful employment and preparing
entrepreneurs to become job creators. DAV empowers veterans
to pursue their maximum potential through DAV career fairs and
intensive training. DAV job fairs have led to more than 168,000 job
offers for veterans and spouses.
DAV IS FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS. WANT TO HELP?
DAV Chamber #20, 1978 3rd Ave., Columbus, NE 68601
Jim Jakub (left) and his brother Jerome Jakub both served
in the Vietnam War at the same time. They were able to
meet up only once. They are pictured here at the Chu Lai
military base in October 1970.
Jakub is pictured with the Quad 50 anti-aircraft machine
gun that he named Mammy Yokum.
And so, serving veterans is near and dear to Jakub who
served as the Commander of the DAV Chapter #20 for six
years. He also served as Commander of the Department of
Nebraska DAV for three years.
While he still works with the group and advocates for
veterans, health concerns forced him to take a “few steps
back.”
In September 2020, Jakub and his son, Jamie, were at the
airport in Omaha preparing for a trip to pick up two new
DAV vehicles for Nebraska. He was feeling a little run down.
And then he collapsed.
He stayed in the hospital for a few days, got some
medication, and headed home. But he started coughing and
ended up back in the hospital in Lincoln. This time, his stay
was two months.
“I wasn’t supposed to come home,” he said.
Jakub knows how lucky he is to be alive and able to enjoy
his retirement. He and his wife have taken a few bus tours
to spots around the country. They went to Ireland and Italy.
But the best part of retirement is spending more time
with his family.
Two of his sons work in the power industry. Jeff works
at Cooper Nuclear Station. Jonathan is the Manager of
Enterprise Solutions in the Technology Services division at
Lincoln Electric System.
But these days, his three children are overshadowed a bit
by 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He really
enjoys how easy it is to make it to more of their school
events— something that was a lot more difficult when he
was in the workforce.
While Jakub loves challenges, he’s sure glad that one’s
not on his list anymore.
“I can see my grandkids play sports, go to dances, and
spend more time with them,” he said.
FALL 2023 | 5

6 | GENERATOR

YEARS
1933 – 2023
In the midst of the Great Depression,
word came to Columbus that the
Public Works Administration
awarded $7.3 million to Loup Power
for construction of a power canal.
”Happy days are here,” announced the
Columbus Daily Telegram on Nov. 15, 1933.
It was indeed a happy day for a group of
Columbus businessmen who had worked for
months on the plan. They wanted to reverse
the effects of the Depression and provide a
power source at the same time.
In April of that year, the Nebraska
Legislature passed the Enabling Act, which
established public power and irrigation
districts as political subdivisions of the state.
The Loup River Public Power District was
the first to form in the state of Nebraska. Its
founders went on to apply for the PWA funds
that would be used to build the Loup Power
canal and two powerhouses.
But Loup’s story isn’t just about Loup. It is a
story about public power throughout the state
and nation. Loup helped create Cornhusker
Public Power District and companies that
are now known as Nebraska Public Power
District. It also helped Omaha Public Power
District get up and running.
Harold Kramer, Loup’s first general
manager, was given leave to work full-time in
Washington, D.C., to help start the American
Public Power Association.
Max Kiburz, who later served as general
manager, headed a legislative study group
that eventually became the Nebraska
Power Association and he served as its first
president.
The District also powered economic
development efforts throughout its history.
Columbus claims to have the first industrial
site in the United States and several Fortune
500 companies are now located on land that
once belonged to Loup Power District.
Today, Loup and its employees provide
retail service to customers in Platte, Colfax,
Boone, and Nance Counties, and part of
Madison County.
It also continues to generate electricity
with a canal and powerhouses that have
been meticulously maintained for nearly a
century.
7

1933
In 1933, the Nebraska Legislature passed a
law allowing the formation of public power
districts. Loup River Public Power District
organized in June that year and became
the first public power district in the state.
LOAN & GRANT
The Public Works Administration (PWA)
approved a $7.3 million loan and grant for
the Loup Project on November 15, 1933.
This was a tremendous boost to Columbus
and Genoa. The announcement spurred
spontaneous celebrations. Businesses closed
and residents held torchlight parades.
Before the project could begin, the
District needed to acquire property. Some
landowners were eager to sell. One farmer
sold 26 acres of his 192-acre farm and cut his
$14,000 mortgage in half.
Only 10 percent of land was obtained through
condemnation proceedings. In the end, the
Loup Project purchased $1 million in land and
saved some family farms from foreclosure.
The project required a
35-MILE STRIP
of land that ranged
from 250–500 feet wide.
$1 MILLION
in land purchases
THE BEGINNING
Civil Engineer H.E. Babcock was the first to envision using
the Loup River for power and irrigation. Construction on
a 600-horsepower plant and canal began in 1912 near
Genoa. Electricity flowed to Genoa for the first time in
March 1913. The plant operated for one year before
financial difficulties forced its abandonment.
On Sept. 15, 1932, Phil Hockenberger and Harold Kramer
invited 36 Columbus businessmen to a meeting to revisit
the idea of building a power canal near Columbus.
That afternoon, they traveled to Lincoln to file for water
rights to the Loup River, Shell Creek, Cedar River and
Beaver Creek.
BABCOCK
CONSTRUCTION
Laws governing water rights required
construction to begin within a certain
time frame or water rights would be
lost. Loup did not have the needed
construction equipment when its
rights were approved in 1934. Several
tractor- and horse-led plows began
disking soil to protect those rights.
In 1935, the PWA increased Loup’s loan
and grant allotment to $8,700,000.
. . . the Loup river is one of the most reliable and constant
flowing streams in the state of Nebraska for water power
purposes. It is one of the most constant streams known among the
flowing rivers of the U.S. . . . We hope to see this great power canal
built, with power carrying wires radiating in every direction,
carrying heat for our dwellings, light for our houses, stores, and
factories, and power for street car lines and manufacturing
plants. . . Much has been written and said about this great power
canal. There are many who scoff at the idea that this enterprise
will ever be developed. There are many who believe in the
feasability of the scheme and will help to put it through.”
8
— Nance County Journal, January 14, 1910
HOCKENBERGER
KRAMER
1934

1936
Rural Electrification Division
In early 1936, Loup’s Directors drew up plans
for a rural electrification system and applied
for a federal loan. In 1937, Loup received
$391,000 from the Rural Electrification
Administration to build 355 miles of rural lines
to serve 815 rural customers in Platte County.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The Loup Project employed more than 1,000
people during its construction.
In the depths of the Great Depression, the
prospect of steady work drew the attention of job
seekers from the surrounding area. The influx of
workers brought prosperity to cafés, restaurants,
hotels and rooming houses.
All lines of retail trade improved, rentals increased
and property values recovered. A leading
Columbus real estate office did not know of a
single house for rent in the city in July of 1936.
The project also supported other industries.
Factory workers helped produce materials used in
the project and railroad employees had a part in
transporting those materials.
1936 PWA MINIMUM WAGE RATES
Concrete Mixer ..............$1.20
Cement Finisher ...........$1.20
Carpenter ........................$1.20
Pile Driver ........................$1.20
1,782 applicants
in November 1933
Form Builder ..................$0.80
Painter & Steel Men .....$0.90
Trucker .............................$0.70
Unskilled Labor .............$0.50
1,352 employed
in October 1936
In 1936, Loup received a $2.314 million supplemental loan
and grant for the construction of transmission lines
The first shovel of dirt
was moved at the
Charles Wright farm near
Genoa on Aug. 21, 1934.
The first dragline excavation
was Oct. 16, 1934, at the
James Donoghue farm seven
miles northwest of Columbus.
THE MONIGHAN CRANE
One of the largest in the world at the time
365
tons
176’
boom
12 million
cubic yards of soil
Twenty train cars hauled the Monighan Crane from
Memphis, Tenn., to Columbus, where it took one
month to assemble.
The unique crane walked like a duck and sounded
like a freight train. It had a 12-yard bucket and
moved dirt at a rate of 1 million cubic yards per
month.
The crane fascinated people from around the state
and the operators became local celebrities.
If we placed all
of the excavated
soil on Dodge
Street between the curb
lines and piled it nine
feet high . . . the pile
would extend 95 miles.”
— J.D. Evans
State Engineering Inspector for
the Public Works Administration,
on Omaha’s WOW radio program
in February of 1935
9

30 YEARS:
THE POWERHOUSES
Life expectancy of most of the equipment
at the Columbus and Monroe Powerhouses.
The hydroelectric powerhouses in Monroe and Columbus
really began to take shape in 1936. The work was done without
safety equipment. Surprisingly, there were only a few accidents
during construction.
The Columbus site became a small community during
construction. Some workers lived in tar paper shacks and
kitchen houses were established for them.
Special railroad tracks were built to carry materials to the
Columbus Powerhouse. Around 2,500 carloads of freight
worth $750,000 crossed those tracks.
70 YEARS:
Age of the generating units before
a $17 million refurbishment in 2004.
Leo Daly, Sr., of Omaha
designed the exterior finish
of both powerhouses. His
total salary was $1,000.
The Columbus Powerhouse
received a Nebraska
historical marker
in October of 2016.
GENERATION BEGINS
The Monroe Powerhouse
began generating electricity
on March 5, 1937.
The District had to finish the
project and test the system,
so the first commercial sales
were not until the following
spring.
The Pawnee Dredge
The District needed a unique dredge to clean its
two-mile settling basin at the Genoa Headworks.
Omaha Steel Works designed and built the Pawnee
dredge, which was then dismantled for shipment
and reassembled at the Headworks.
1937
The barge was 110 feet long and 30 feet wide. It was
designed to draw in 172,000 tons of mixture daily.
That original dredge was used until 2012, when a
new dredge, the Pawnee II, was commissioned.
$186,000
to build
140 TONS
per minute
75 YEARS
in use
10

1938
OCTOBER 1938
official project completion
$8.9 MILLION
56 BRIDGES
built to cross the canal
total cost to build the two powerhouses and reservoir lake
COMPLETION & CUSTOMERS
The Omaha World-Herald announced that the Loup Power Plant
had four customers in its Aug. 22, 1938, edition. Construction of
the project was almost complete. Transmission lines from Omaha
to Lincoln, Grand Island to Lincoln, and Hastings to Lincoln were all
under construction — funded in part by an additional $2.3 million
loan and grant.
The District switched from its construction period to operation
on September 1. The plant’s output was approximately 4,000 kW.
Electricity was transmitted to the North Loup and Middle Loup
Power Districts, Howard, Southern Nebraska, Platte, Cuming and
Lancaster rural electrification districts, Western Public Service
Company, the Platte Valley District powerhouse at North Platte,
and Tri-County’s substation at Hastings.
The District continued to build infrastructure, but first it needed
waivers from farm-owned mutual telephone companies because
the power lines could cause interference to the grounded phone
systems. The Rural Electrification Administration would not loan
funds to metallicize the phone lines to eliminate the interference.
PUBLIC POWER EXPANSION
Loup Power District initially distributed the power it generated to private and
public power companies. By 1939, there were two other hydropower districts
in the state — Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District and Central
Nebraska (Tri-County) Public Power and Irrigation District.
The districts were all generating power but needed to expand their markets.
They had been contemplating the purchase of private power companies for
some time for that purpose. Loup had debt obligations to the Public Works
Administration, posing a funding problem.
On Aug. 5, the same men who organized the Loup project helped create
Consumers Public Power District to facilitate the purchase of those facilities.
Loup River Public Power District’s President C.B. Fricke was named president
of the debt-free Consumers.
In October, Consumers assumed operation of the Columbus division of
the Northwestern Public Service Company through a lease-purchase agreement. It
purchased the company in July 1940 with $1.2 million in bonds. It was the first
acquisition of a private utility by a public power district through bond issue.
1939
The hydro facilities continued to sell power to private companies. But that would
soon change. By the end of 1943, Consumers Public Power District acquired
all generation and distribution facilities across the state except for Nebraska
Power Company in Omaha. The cost was more than $40 million paid for
by revenue bonds. This change to public power caused much controversy
throughout the state with some comparing it to socialism and communism.
FRICKE
11

1940
$9,268,000 PWA BONDS + $761,520 DEFAULTED INTEREST
refinanced by Loup Power District in 1940
The American Public Power Association formed in 1940 to represent the common interest of community-owned
utilities. Harold Kramer, Loup’s General Manager, served as the first secretary-manager for about six months.
Today, the Association serves not-for-profit, public utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.
A PUBLIC POWER SYSTEM
In 1940, the three hydro districts that formed Consumers — Loup, Platte Valley
and Tri-County — signed an agreement to pool their generation and revenue.
This would provide stability, prevent competition and allow them to finance
growth. The agreement created the Nebraska Public Power System (NPPS),
a wholesale marketing and transmission agency. Its three-member board
consisted of the three district managers.
The three unified districts also refinanced nearly $38 million in debt. The new
bonds reduced both the interest and bond payments to give the districts an
opportunity to pay off obligations while building revenues.
Consumers leased its generating facilities to NPPS which began coordinating
power generation and transmission. Rural public power districts continued to
form across the state and purchased power from NPPS.
Central withdrew from
NPPS in 1949 to focus
on irrigation.
Nebraska’s three big hydroelectric districts consolidated their operations today
into a single, $60-million system . . . The action culminated nearly five years of
struggle, often bitter, for some sort of unit operation.”
— Associated Press, Aug. 1, 1940
PUBLIC POWER BUILDINGS
1941
In 1940, Columbus was home to four public power
entities — Loup Power District, Loup’s Rural
Electrification Division, Consumers Public Power
District, and the Nebraska Public Power System.
Their management and administrative offices were
scattered in rented facilities, mostly along 13th Street
in downtown Columbus. It was time to bring all four
under one roof.
The new, modern “Public Power Building” on the
corner of 14th Street and 25th Avenue opened
to the public in May 1941. It cost $100,000.
Consumers and NPPS leased office space
from Loup.
Also in 1941, Loup
broke ground on a
$35,000 garage,
storehouse, and machine shop at 14th Street and
12th Avenue in Columbus.
Fifteen members of the National Youth
Administration constructed the building by the
end of the year.
The NYA was a New Deal agency designed to
provide work and education for young men and
women between the ages of 16 and 25.
The building housed Loup’s hydro employees.
12

1943
By the end of the decade, Nebraska was the first and only
state where public power replaced all private utilities.
It remains the only state served completely by public power.
CORNHUSKER & OPPD
In late 1942, a group filed a petition with the
State Engineer asking for authority to form
Cornhusker Rural Public Power District.
The petition was approved and Loup’s
directors approved the sale of its Rural
Electrification Division to Cornhusker in
early 1943. The sale included 625 miles
of rural lines in Platte and Colfax counties
serving about 927 customers. Directors
of the Boone-Nance Rural Public Power
District also held a special meeting and also
voted to sell its property to Cornhusker.
The cost was $1 and the assumption of the
federal loans that were used to build the
rural lines and facilities.
Consolidation of the rural properties under
one management would result in more
economical and efficient service.
In 1944, a group of Omaha
citizens formed the Omaha
Electric Committee, Inc., a
non-profit corporation to
obtain public ownership of
Nebraska Power Company.
That December, Loup
created an Eastern Division
and issued revenue bonds
to finance a $15.6 million
loan to the committee for
its purchase of Nebraska
Power.
Two years later, Omaha Public Power District closed its purchase of
the Nebraska Power Company from the committee at a price of $42
million, financed by revenue bonds.
Included in the purchase price was $12.5 million that was used to
repay Loup in full for the money it loaned the committee.
LAKE NORTH
In the early 1960s, Loup began to study the
feasibility of enlarging the 900-acre Lake
Babcock storage reservoir.
Loup officials decided additional water
storage was needed to provide the necessary
electricity at peak requirement times. Building
a new lake was less costly than dredging out
Lake Babcock, which was heavily silted in.
Construction of Lake North began in 1962.
Gerhold Construction took on the project,
moving about 660,000 cubic yards of earth to
form a 200-acre bowl.
More than 5,000 people attended the grand
opening August 5, 1963. The following
Sunday, the lake had visitors from 33 counties
and 13 states. Loup employees counted 1,122
cars between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Mrs. Arthur Wilson won
a 19-inch TV for her winning
entry in a 1963 contest to
name Loup’s new lake. While
Lake North is indeed north of
Columbus, she picked the name
to honor the North brothers who
led the Pawnee Scouts in the
1860s and 70s.
1963
The lake captivated local crowds —
hosting ski shows and other large
events. It was one of the largest
lakes in Nebraska at the time.
100,000+
visitors to Loup’s recreational
areas each year according to
a 1968 survey
13

1966
129,000 cubic feet per second
1966 flood peak at Genoa, beating
previous record of 90,000 cfs in 1947
more than $500,000
in damage to Loup property
FLOODING AT THE HEADWORKS
On August 12, 1966, the Loup River began to rise following a
period of heavy rain throughout the area. Forty employees began
sandbagging, but they could not hold it back. The raging Loup
broke through the diversion weir and headgates, broke through
several thousand feet of canal, and washed out two bridges and
roadways. Thirty-five of the men were rescued by helicopter while
the other five volunteered to stay overnight to continue working,
despite the loss of telephone service and roads.
The District’s dredge, the Pawnee, was in dry-dock undergoing
repairs. The flood lifted it and washed it downstream until it hit a
tractor. The crew had to build a dike around the dredge, fill it with
water and float it back to the dry dock.
Despite the damage, Loup continued to generate electricity and
met peak using the storage water in Lake Babcock and Lake North.
The diversion weir was back in operation in less than two weeks.
The flood caused widespread damage throughout the area,
especially in Fullerton, Cedar Rapids, St. Edward, and Columbus.
A RETAIL SERVICE AREA & NPPD
In 1967, Loup and Consumers Public Power Districts
signed a realignment agreement. Loup traded its interest
in NPPS to Consumers in exchange for distribution
properties in Platte, Colfax, Nance, and Boone Counties.
More changes to Nebraska’s unique public power model
were still to come.
1967
In 1969, directors of NPPS, Consumers, and Platte Valley
Public Power and Irrigation District voted to merge into
one new company.
The merger followed years of negotiations and unified all
the electric generation and transmission facilities in the
state outside of Omaha Public Power District.
It brought together about 1,400 employees and $420
million of generation, transmission, distribution, and
irrigation properties.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) became official
on January 1, 1970. In a joint statement, the
presidents of Consumers and Platte Valley said
“The merger — accomplished by voluntary
negotiation — is one of the most significant
steps involving electricity since Nebraska
became a public power state.”
In December of 1970, NPPD’s board authorized the sale
of two revenue bond issues totaling $151 million. Of
that, $103 million was used to complete Cooper Nuclear
Station and construct high voltage transmission lines.
The $48 million issue retired outstanding indebtedness
of Platte Valley and Loup. Loup held a bond burning
ceremony in 1970 to celebrate being debt free.
Under this reorganization, Loup will return to
the basic reason for its creation — the development of
the area it serves, and will also make it a District that
is large enough for efficient operation in providing
reliable service to the people it serves, but small enough
to be responsible to the needs and desires of the people
that it serves.” — Max Kiburz, Loup General Manager
December 1970
14

1974
Nebraska Public Power District, sharing
the block with City Hall, has been growing out of
its skin at regular intervals and constantly needs
more office space.”
The rapid growth of the public
power system in Columbus
caused a lot of office space
headaches. Consumers built
a new headquarters across
from the public power building
in 1952. Both Loup and
Consumers added on to their
buildings in the 1950s and 60s.
— Columbus Telegram, February 26, 1974
NEW GENERAL OFFICE
In 1972, NPPD’s general office
was across the street in the
former Consumers building. Space was still at a premium so it purchased Loup’s
building in 1972 for $120,000.
Loup had 90 days to vacate and moved to a temporary location on 11th Street
and 23rd Avenue in Columbus. In 1974, the new general office on 15th Street
and 24th Avenue was complete. The building was 17,600 square feet and cost
$555,900.
1974: NPPD purchases property on 15th Streeet for the
construction of a new headquarters building.
1976: The City of Columbus purchases the former public
power building and the former Consumers building from
NPPD for a library and city offices.
In early 1974, Loup’s
operations departments were
operating out of two service
centers — hydro on the 12th
Avenue building and retail
out of a service center on 11th
Street and 27th Avenue.
In 1974, Loup remodeled
the service center on 12th
Avenue, adding a transformer
shop and line truck garage.
This facilitated the
consolidation of the District’s
hydro and retail operations in
one building.
1980
NPA
Leaders of Nebraska’s
public power industry
form the Nebraska Power
Association (NPA) to
address the industry’s
interests.
Loup General Manager Max
Kiburz was instrumental in
its creation and served as
the NPA’s first president.
KIBURZ
The NPA’s objectives included communication,
joint planning, and cooperation among the
state’s electric service providers. The group
also began monitoring legislation that could
affect the state’s public power model.
In 1982, Kiburz received the Distinguished
Service Award from the American Public Power
Association for his outstanding contributions
to public power systems locally and
across the nation.
1980 1981
LICENSE APPLICATION
Loup’s original 50-year federal license was
approved in 1934. Renewal work began in 1980.
First, Loup applied for a renewal of its state water
lease from the State of Nebraska. That lease was
approved and expires in 2030.
With the water lease renewed, Loup was able
to finish its application to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1981. The 180-
page application was approved in 1983, and Loup
received a 30-year extension on its license, which
expired in 2014.
$4.175 million loan
tax-exempt bonds issued to Loup in May 1981
to finance a three-year construction program
$3 million sale
Loup transfers ownership of all 115kV transmission lines
and switching equipment to NPPD in November 1981
$5 million sale
In 1985, Columbus purchases distribution facilities in
the area between the city’s 1972 and 1985 city limits;
Loup agrees to pay Columbus a 10 percent lease
payment
15

1986 SEASONAL
RATES
began in 1992
2007 MORE THAN $5.8 MILLION
total amount of sand payments
to Loup since 2007
CANAL INSPECTION
For the first time since construction, Loup
lowered the water level in the 35-mile canal
for inspections and repairs.
Work began on August 29, when the water
in Lake North was sealed off. On Sept. 1,
employees stopped the diversion of water
by closing and sandbagging the headgates.
Water dropped about 12 feet below the
normal level at the Monroe Powerhouse
and 19 feet below normal at the 916 siphon
west of Monroe. The depth of the canal is
14.3 feet for the first seven miles east of
the Genoa Headworks and 19.5 feet for the
remaining 28 miles.
The canal was in amazing shape for its age.
PREFERRED SANDS
Sand at the Genoa Headworks was piling up
after nearly 70 years of dredging between
one and two million cubic yards of sand every
year.
It covered 600 acres piled more than 100 feet
high in spots. The Guinness Book of World
Records even listed it as the world’s largest
man-made sand pile.
In 2006, Legacy Resources approached Loup
about using the north-side sand for hydraulic
fracking. Loup saw the proposal as a win-win:
it would alleviate the excess sand problem
while also generating additional revenue.
The company — now Preferred Sands —
began building a processing facility. In 2007,
it began processing sand and giving Loup a
per-ton royalty payment.
HYDRO UPGRADE
Loup issues $17 million in bonds to begin a three-year
hydropower upgrade project. The powerhouses at
Monroe and Columbus had been in operation for nearly
70 years. Maintenance was becoming difficult due to the
scarcity of Depression-era parts.
At the time, the Monroe Powerhouse had generated
more than 1.7 million megawatt hours and the Columbus
Powerhouse had surpassed 6.8 million megawatt hours.
The refurbishment increased efficiency, allowing Loup to
generate more power with the same amount of water.
2004
16

2017
HYDRO LICENSE & FISH KILL
Loup began the process for renewing its third license in 2008 — a full six years before it
was set to expire in 2014. That year came and went without a new license. The Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized continued operation while finalizing its
environmental assessments.
After a decade and $8 million, the District received a new license in May 2017. The new
license had several water flow restrictions that concerned Loup officials — including one that
required Loup to cease water diversion into the canal if the water temperature in the Platte
River reaches 93 degrees at the Louisville gauge.
Loup’s board and management issued an unsuccessful Emergency Motion for Stay to halt
the order, believing that this provision would not benefit protected species as intended. High
water temperatures on July 15, 2017, forced the District to cease diversion of water into the
canal. Fish began to die due to lack of oxygen in the canal water.
Two days after ceasing diversion, FERC notified Loup that it was suspending the water
temperature provision based on a recommendation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS). Loup continues to work with FERC, USFWS, and the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission for a final resolution.
PAWNEE II
Headworks crews kept the Pawnee Dredge running
for 75 years, often making repairs and replacement
parts on their own. But maintenance was becoming
difficult on the archaic machine.
The District commissioned a new, custom dustpan
dredge, the Pawnee II, in 2012. It features a
3,000-horesepower motor to power the 35,000
gallon-per-minute pump. The spray nozzles stir up
sediment in the settling basin before sucking silt and
sand up and out of the canal.
NEW SERVICE CENTER
The City of Columbus began construction on the
12th Avenue viaduct in 2018. A couple of the support
columns were placed right in the middle of Loup’s
service center yard.
This prompted Loup to begin building a new service
center along the Lost Creek Parkway north of
Columbus.
The Columbus hydro and retail employees moved
into the new building in January of 2020.
The modern building is much better equipped
to house the District’s large trucks and other
equipment.
The District budgeted $5.5 million for the
54,540-square-foot building and paid for it
with cash reserves.
2012
2019
17

2019 Loup can divert 2,000 cfs according to our federal license
The canal was designed for 3,500 cfs in the 1930s
5,000 cfs — the last reading before the gauge was lost
STORM & CANAL BREACH
February and early March 2019
were unusually cold.
Then, on March 13, the forecast
called for highs around 60° F with
heavy rain. The combination caused
ice jams and rising water that
eventually washed away the intake
structure approach and breached
the canal in six places.
The Headgates Operator’s
house and a 2016 addition to the
Headworks shop were washed
away. The weir bridge was also
destroyed. The Nebraska National
Guard dropped 280 massive
sandbags in the inaccessible south
breach to stop the flow of water.
The damage estimate is more than
$15 million. Repairs are nearing
completion after more than four
years.
18
2 Black Hawk helicopters
and 18 National Guard soldiers dropped
280 1,500-pound sandbags to close a
breach on the south side of the canal

employee notes
RANDY PROSOSKI
Headworks Supervisor
Headworks Supervisor
Randy Prososki
was recently recognized
for 30 years
of service to Loup
Power District.
Prososki joined Loup
in 1993 as a Maintenance
Technician
at the Headworks.
He was promoted
to Dredge Operator
30 YEARS
in 1997 and transferred
to Heavy Equipment Operator in
2018. Later that year he was promoted
to Headworks Supervisor.
As Headworks Supervisor, Prososki
oversees Loup’s operations at the
Genoa Headworks. He also coordinates
the activities of the Headworks
employees and purchase supplies.
Prososki is a graduate of Fullerton
High School. He and his wife, Sena,
are the parents of three children: Eric,
Chelsa, and Breana. They have seven
grandchildren.
JESSE HOFFMEISTER
Headworks Operator
Jesse Hoffmeister
has been promoted
to Headworks
Operator at Loup
Power District.
In his new role,
Hoffmeister operates
and maintains
heavy equipment
at the Genoa
Headworks. He also
performs general
canal and hydro-related maintenance.
PROMOTION
Hoffmeister joined Loup Power District
in 2019 as Maintenance Technician
at the Genoa Headworks. He was
promoted to Equipment Operator in
2020 before being named Headworks
Operator.
Hoffmeister is a graduate of St. Edward
High School. He and his wife, Haylee,
have two sons — Mason and Ryker.
TONY MILLER
Plant Operator
Tony Miller joined
Loup as a Plant
Operator at the
Columbus Powerhouse
in 2022.
As a plant operator,
Miller monitors and
controls the three
generation units
at Columbus and
remotely controls 1 YEAR
the Monroe Powerhouse.
He also
works closely with the Genoa Headworks
to divert maximum Loup River
water into the District canal system for
power plant generation.
His other duties include coordinating
generation with NPPD’s control center
in Doniphan and monitoring Loup’s
115 kV and 34.5 kV subtransmission
system.
Miller is a graduate of Fort Calhoun
High School. He graduated from
Nebraska Law Enforcement Training
Center and attended Maintenance
Management school while serving in
U.S. Marine Corps. He and his wife,
Kim, have two children— Cameron and
Courtney.
CONNER LUSCHE
Journey Line Tech
Conner Lusche
joined Loup Power
District as a Journey
Line Technician in
2022.
He is member of the
crew that is responsible
for the construction,
operation,
and maintenance 1 YEAR
of Loup’s electrical
transmission and
distribution systems and substations in
the Columbus Division.
Lusche is a graduate of Scotus Central
Catholic High School and earned an
associate’s degree from Northeast
Community College. He and his wife,
Demi, live in Columbus.
SCOTT GOTTSCH
Equipment Operator
Gottsch was
promoted to Equipment
Operator in
September.
In his new role,
Gottsch operates
the District’s heavy
equipment and is
part of the crew that
performs maintenance
on the canal
system from Genoa
to Columbus. He
also works at the two powerhouses
when needed, helps build substations,
and maintains District parks and lakes.
He joined Loup in 1998 as a Maintenance
Tech at the Genoa Headworks.
In 2000, he was promoted to Carpenter/Utilityman
on the Canal Crew based
out of the Columbus Service Center.
Gottsch was promoted to Headgates
Operator at the Genoa Headworks in
2008 and transferred to the position
of Storekeeper I in 2016 before this
promotion.
Gottsch is a graduate of Monroe High
School. He and his wife, Sandy, are
the parents of three children: Kelly,
Megan and Courtney. They have eight
grandchildren.
ERIC OLSUFKA
Dredge/Canal Maintenance Tech
Eric Olsufka joined Loup Power District
as a Dredge/Canal
Maintenance Technician
at the Genoa
Headworks in 2022.
He is responsible for
maintaining District
parks, facilities, and
equipment. He also
assists the Headworks
Operators
and works on the
dredge during the
dredging season.
PROMOTION
1 YEAR
Olsufka is a graduate of Columbus High
School. He and his wife, Kim, live in
Genoa with their three children — Mila,
Tate, and Jake
FALL 2023 | 19

employee notes
LANCE FERRIS
Canal Lead
Canal Lead Lance
Ferris has retired
from Loup Power
District after more
than 40 years of
service.
Ferris joined Loup
in 1982 as a Maintenance
Technician
at the Genoa RETIRED
Headworks. In 1985,
he was promoted to
Equipment Operator. He was promoted
to Dredge Operator in 1988. In 2015,
Ferris transferred to Equipment Operator
at the Columbus Service Center. He
was promoted to Canal Lead in 2020.
Ferris’ primary responsibilities were
overseeing canal-related projects from
the railroad siphon east of Genoa to the
tailrace area southeast of Columbus.
He also worked on substations and
other construction work throughout the
District.
Ferris and his wife, Teresa, have seven
children and 20 grandchildren.
SHAWN SEIER
Customer Service Rep
Shawn Seier of
Petersburg joined
Loup in 2013 as a
Customer Service
Representative at
the Albion Office.
Her responsibilities
include greeting
customers; processing
payments; set-
10 YEARS
ting up, transferring, or closing service;
taking service calls; and preparing
reports.
Shawn is a graduate of Neligh-Oakdale
High School. She attended Northeast
Community College in Norfolk and
earned an Associate of Applied Science
Degree in Accounting.
Shawn and her husband, Paul, are
the parents of four children: Kristine,
Jackie, Jared, and Terri. They have
three grandchildren: Bryson, Caleb,
and August.
JUSTIN KOHL
Plant Operator
Justin Kohl joined
Loup as a Plant
Operator at the
Columbus Powerhouse
in 2013.
As a plant operator,
Kohl monitors and
controls the three
generation units
10 YEARS
at Columbus and
remotely controls the Monroe Powerhouse.
He also works closely with the
Genoa Headworks to divert maximum
Loup River water into the District canal
system for power plant generation.
Kohl’s other duties include coordinating
generation with NPPD’s control center
in Doniphan and monitoring Loup’s
115 kV and 34.5 kV subtransmission
system.
Kohl is a graduate of Clarks High
School. He and his wife, Amber, are the
parents of three sons.
JOE NOYD
Powerhouse Maintenance Tech
Noyd joined Loup
in 2013 as a Plant
Operator at the
Columbus Powerhouse.
He was
named Powerhouse
Maintenance Technician
in 2020.
He is responsible
for monitoring and
maintaining Loup’s
10 YEARS
hydro equipment,
generators, and
facilities. He also fills in as a Columbus
Plant Operator.
Noyd is a graduate of Schuyler Central
High School. He earned an Associate
of Applied Science Degree in Building
Construction from Southeast Community
College.
He and his wife, Amanda, have three
children —Nolan, Reeyce, and Kyle.
TRENT CRUMLEY
Canal Lead
Trent Crumley was
promoted to Canal
Lead in September.
In his new role,
Crumley oversees
canal-related
projects from the
railroad siphon east
of Genoa to the
tailrace area southeast
of Columbus.
He also works on
substations and coordinates construction
projects throughout the District.
Crumley joined Loup Power District in
2017 as Maintenance Technician for
the Hydro Department based out of the
Columbus Service Center. In 2018, he
was promoted to Equipment Operator
and was named Heavy Equipment
Operator in 2020.
He is a graduate of Monroe High
School. He and his wife, Shana, have
two sons, Dylan and Ethan.
SANDI MEAYS
Administrative Assistant —
Corporate Services
Sandi Meays of
Columbus was
recently recognized
for 25 years of service
at Loup Power
District.
Meays joined Loup
in 1998 as Cashier at
the Columbus General
Office. In 1999,
she was promoted
to Administrative
Assistant.
PROMOTION
25 YEARS
Meays’ primary responsibilities in
the Corporate Services Department
include economic development activities,
public relations, and administrative
duties.
Sandi is a graduate of Columbus High
School. She attended Platte Technical
Community College in Columbus. She
and her husband, Tim, have two adult
children and three grandchildren.
20 | GENERATOR

MICHAEL LANGE
Journey Line Tech
Michael Lange of
Columbus joined
Loup Power District
as a Lineman
in 2018.
He was promoted
to Journey Line
Technician earlier
this year. He is
a member of
the crew that is 5 YEARS
responsible for
the construction,
operation and maintenance of electric
transmission and distribution systems in
the Columbus area.
He is a graduate of Columbus High
School and earned a Utility Line degree
from Metropolitan Community College.
Loup sends $1.3 million
to area communities
Loup delivered lease payments to
area communities in August. These
communities own their electric
distribution systems.
These payments compensate
them for the use of those systems
for the second quarter of 2023.
The payments were:
Columbus — $1,002,541.00
Platte Center — $10,023.08
Monroe — $8,808.07
Tarnov — $1,421.15
Creston — $5,875.00
Humphrey — $25,480.70
Lindsay — 51,345.04
Cornlea — $1,733.58
Newman Grove — $14,907.73
Duncan — $13,788.09
Fullerton — $28,624.97
Genoa — $21,170.01
Belgrade — $2,791.89
Richland — $2,398.29
Howells — $18,316.16
Leigh — $13,994.55
Clarkson — $17,284.44
Albion — $41,158.07
Cedar Rapids — $12,068.89
Primrose — $1,142.78
Petersburg — $8,146.71
St. Edward — $15,249.66
Total — $1,318,269.86
IS YOUR HOME WIRING SAFE?
Older homes may need inspections
People who love older homes
usually get drawn in by their
grandeur. They see a Victorian
home in the historic district and
fall in love with its stately staircase
and architectural features. Once
they sign on the dotted line, they
painstakingly restore woodwork,
make sure windows are in working
order, and tend to other repairs.
If you own a home like this, one of
the top priorities on your list should
be an inspection of the electrical
system.
Old wiring doesn’t automatically
mean there’s a problem, but
there could be. According to the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), many older
homes that still have outdated
wiring can’t handle the electrical
load of today’s modern appliances
and could pose a fire hazard.
As electrical components age or
become overloaded, the system can
overheat and wear out insulation.
This can lead to arcs (electrical
discharge) and short circuits — the
two main causes of home electrical
wiring fires, according to the
CPSC. In addition, old rubber wire
insulation can become brittle and
easily flake, leaving wires exposed.
Older knob-and-tube wiring
was commonly used in homes built
before 1950. It can handle around 60
amps at most, while most houses
need at least 150 amps. Our increased
use of electronics can overload this
wiring, posing serious safety and fire
hazards.
If your house was built between
1965 and 1973, it could be dangerous
for another reason. Aluminum is
great for cans, but not for wiring
since it can overheat.
Unfortunately, it was used in 2
million homes that were built during
that time period.
If you own an older home,
consider calling a qualified
electrician to inspect your electrical
system so you know it’s safe and
adequately meets the needs of your
home.
Regardless of the age of your
house, be sure to get any potentially
dangerous wiring issues checked out
by a professional if you notice any of
the following issues:
• Your circuit breaker keeps
tripping or fuses blow often
• You notice unusual power draws
or dimming or flickering lights
• You see discolored (dark colored)
outlets or switch plates or they
are warm to the touch
• You notice unusual odors like a
burning smell but can’t find a
source
• Your outlets only allow you to
plug in a two-pronged plug (and
not a three-pronged plug), which
means they are not grounded
• You don’t have ground-fault
circuit interrupters near faucets
or other sources of water in your
home
For more info about electrical
safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.
FALL 2023 | 21

Exploring
PUBLIC POWER
San Francisco, CA
Why: More stable rates, local control over energy choices
The city filed a legal brief asking the California Public Utilities
Commission to provide an independent appraisal of PG&E’s
electric assets to determine a fair price. PG&E rejected the
city’s offer of $2.5 billion for these assets in 2019.
South San Joaquin
Irrigation District, CA
Why: Lower rates, economic development,
local governance
Pursuing eminent domain.
Decorah, Iowa
Why: Affordability, community investment
A task force on municipalization recommended that
the city council move ahead with a second voter
referendum. A referendum to municipalize in 2018
fell short by only three votes.
New Mexico
A group of state lawmakers filed a petition with
the state regulatory commission in January 2022
to launch a study to evaluate shifting the state’s
utilities to public ownership or to form community
choice entities.
San Diego, CA
Why: Lower rates, a focus on equity
The city council approved a contract for a consultant
to conduct a feasibility study in October 2022.
Tucson, AZ
Why: Increase renewable energy
Embarking on a major study of whether it makes
sense to form a city-run electric utility or start a
program allowing the city to buy and sell solar and
wind energy to residents.
22 | GENERATOR

Many Nebraskans take public power for granted — it’s all we know in the only state
where every resident is served by pubic power. But in other areas of the country,
many communities consider the idea of forming a public power
utility — also called municipalization — on a regular basis.
Here’s a look at communities that are currently or have recently
explored the public power option and why they are inspired to take
a look at local ownership.
Milwaukee, WI
Why: Lower rates, higher reliability
Progressive groups are pushing for the city
to create its own municipal utility.
Rochester, NY
Why: Accountability, affordability,
economic development, workers’ rights
A grassroots community organization is
mounting a campaign to have the city
council take up a feasibility study.
Maine
Why the community wants public power:
Higher reliability and accountability, lower
rates, create local jobs, in-source revenue
Maine voters will be deciding whether
to form a statewide public power agency
in November 2023.
New York, NY
Why: Increased transparency and
accountability, improved efficiency
and reliability, faster transition to renewable
energy, and lower rates
The Public Advocate for the City of New York
released a plan in August 2020 detailing possible
paths to municipalization.
Ann Arbor, MI
Why: Support the energy transition
The city council approved a contract in September
2022 to study on the feasible pathways for a
transition to 100% renewable energy and
establishing a municipal utility.
Washington, DC
Why: Increased transparency and democracy to fight
climate change
FALL 2023 | 23

2404 15th Street | PO Box 988
Columbus, NE 68602-0988
PUBLIC POWER MONTH
DID YOU
?
KNOW
Nebraska is the only state in the nation served entirely
by public power electric utilities.
Community-owned utilities mean that
NEBRASKANS ARE WORKING FOR NEBRASKANS.
Nebraska’s electric utilities use a diverse mix of fuel
resources to generate electricity, such as wind, water, coal,
nuclear, natural gas, solar and methane.
Nebraska’s electric utilities
are governed by locally elected
or appointed boards and councils.
This means
YOU HAVE A VOICE IN THE
DECISIONS MADE BY YOUR
LOCAL UTILITY.
Public power
electric utilities
are not-forprofit,
meaning
there’s no profit
motive and no
shareholder
pockets to pad —
simply affordable,
cost-of-service
electric rates for
consumers.
Each dollar of a public power employee’s
paycheck circulates through the local
economy an estimated four to five times,
KEEPING LOCAL DOLLARS LOCAL.
Nebraska’s electric utilities pay more than
$100 million
to communities they serve each year in lieu of taxes.
Those dollars stay local, helping
EMPOWER OUR HOMETOWNS.