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OPPD To Again Buy Electricity To Meet Summer Demand

The Omaha Public Power District will likely have to purchase some electricity this summer because the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant remains shut down.

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Reporter: The Associated Press

The Omaha Public Power District will likely have to purchase some electricity this summer because the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant remains shut down.

Federal regulators have said Fort Calhoun is likely to remain idle at least into the fall. So OPPD's nuclear plant won't be available during the peak demand of summer.

Last year, OPPD spent about $32 million to buy electricity from other sources while flooding along the Missouri River kept Fort Calhoun shuttered.

OPPD CEO Gary Gates says it's hard to predict how much the utility will spend on electricity this year. The utility's insurance may cover some of the cost and demand for electricity will vary with the weather. Plus, the price of electricity may vary.