Mar 06, 2025

Dawson PPD board talks with NPPD board members

Posted Mar 06, 2025 9:20 PM
Dawson PPD’s March board meeting included a discussion with Nebraska Public Power District board members. Rob Hinrichs, Kirk Olson, and Rusty Kemp talked about NPPD’s commitment to customers as they plan to meet the state’s future electric needs. (Dawson Public Power)
Dawson PPD’s March board meeting included a discussion with Nebraska Public Power District board members. Rob Hinrichs, Kirk Olson, and Rusty Kemp talked about NPPD’s commitment to customers as they plan to meet the state’s future electric needs. (Dawson Public Power)

Dawson Public Power

Dawson PPD invited Nebraska Public Power District board members to the March 5, board meeting to discuss current projects and future needs. NPPD Directors Rusty Kemp of Tryon, Kirk Olson of North Platte and Rob Hinrichs of Axtell attended.

Kemp, Olson and Hinrichs emphasized that they see public power decisions through the lens of their agriculture backgrounds. The group agreed with Dawson PPD board president Dan Muhlbach about the importance of keeping the customers’ best interests at the forefront in all negotiations and decisions.

Carmen Ackerman, Manager of Finance and Administration provided Dawson PPD’s financial report. As predicted, margins were down in January, but a rebound is expected in February’s reports.

Dawson PPD discussed capital construction projects. Director Page Peterson, who serves on the finance committee, suggested the board consider the issuance of a bond to finance up to $9 million. Director Don Batie clarified that the bond would be for system improvements, not for daily operating costs. Director Bob Kennicutt made a motion for a resolution authorizing the bond process. The details of any potential bonds will be considered at a future meeting. The construction work plan includes substation improvements and line upgrades to improve reliability, capacity, and safety. Bonding spreads the cost of projects over several years, decreasing the impact on the current ratepayers.

Other highlights of the board meeting included:

  1. ·The district has been teaching electrical safety to students, businesses, and trade group conferences.
  2.   Negotiations continue on a new wholesale power contract with NPPD. Because NPPD will seek long term financing for the construction of new generation resources, they need wholesale customers’ commitment to purchase power for 40 years.
  3.   Dan Muhlbach received the NRECA Director Gold Credential, which requires coursework in addition to the Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership Certificate requirements.
  4.   The next board meeting will be April 2.
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