Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Wind, solar and other renewable energy projects offer a significant opportunity to revitalize rural communities and diversify the local economy. Increased tax revenue from renewable energy projects enables school districts, cities and other entities to address local emergency services and infrastructure improvement needs while reducing the local tax burden. Additionally, farmers and landowners can earn additional income through land-lease payments from project developers and new job...
Residential solar energy is booming. The Omaha Public Power District saw a 900% increase in applications for connecting residential and commercial solar systems over the past year. The dramatic increase is partially due to the cost of solar panels becoming more affordable. Over the last decade, the cost of residential solar systems has dropped 64%, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Inflation Reduction Act, which extends the Investment Tax Credit for another 10 years and...
This summer, headlines suggested that rolling blackouts across the country may be possible because of predicted above-average temperatures. Texas-based grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator projected energy capacity shortfalls during peak summer temperatures. Similar to the ERCOT blackouts in February 2021, much of the blame for this shortfall has been unduly placed on renewable energy. However, as heat waves swept across the...
As inflation pinches pocketbooks across the state, Nebraskans are looking for ways to save money. Residents of several Nebraska communities, now including Norfolk, have the opportunity to save on their utility bills, thanks to community solar developments built through Nebraska Public Power District’s SunWise Community Solar Program. Community solar is a way for residents to buy solar energy without needing to install panels on their home or business. Through the SunWise program, NPPD funds t...
With the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law last November—a $1.3 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure—major funding is now available to rural communities. These funds can be used to rebuild roads and bridges, invest in high-speed internet access and clean drinking water, and upgrade electric power infrastructure. However, just because these funds are available does not necessarily mean they are accessible. Rural communities often find it difficult to navigate fundi...
Nearly every Nebraskan is now served by an electric utility committed to supplying clean, sustainable energy. On Dec. 9, Nebraska Public Power District's board of directors voted, 9-2, to adopt a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This means the utility will steadily seek to source more energy from carbon-free sources, such as solar and wind energy, and reduce reliance on carbon-intensive sources, such as coal, over the next 30 years. With the adoption of this policy, NPPD joins...
