NPPD official: Media release warning of a shortage untrue

A national electric association’s media release warning of skyrocketing bills and rolling blackouts across Nebraska within the next few years prompted a correction from the Nebraska Public Power District. The release was issued by Ogilvy Public Relations on behalf of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and warned of a capacity shortage in Nebraska by 2011.

“At the current rate of consumption, citizens of Nebraska can see their electricity bills skyrocket and experience regular rolling blackouts by 2011,” the alert stated. It added although NPPD added wind development to its energy portfolio, “increasing wind generation and increasing efficiency will not be enough to meet Nebraska’s growing power needs.

Starting in 2009, planned power generation for the upper Midwest will fall below recommended targets for ensuring reliable power.” Ron Asche, CEO and president of NPPD, said although this information may be true for some parts of the country, it is not representative of Nebraska. Beth Boesch, corporate communications and public relations manager for NPPD, said it has a diverse mix of generation resources to meet customers’ needs, including coal, nuclear, natural gas, diesel, hydro and wind, and growth and development is scheduled to meet the growing needs of its customers.

During a recent NPPD meeting, Asche also discussed the potential for further utilization of nuclear energy in the future, but a “nuclear renaissance” could be on the horizon