OPPD Receives Wind Proposals

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Posted: 2:35 PM Oct 13, 2008
Last Updated: 2:35 PM Oct 13, 2008
Reporter: Dennis Wilden
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

9 comments

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The Omaha Public Power District has received 12 proposals that would help the publicly-owned utility increase it's production of electricity through wind power.

Last Friday, October 10th was the deadline for interested parties to submit plans to OPPD. It would like to enter into an agreement to purchase the power, with the electricity flowing onto the grid no later than 2010.

Any project or projects selected could substantially increase the district's wind energy resources. Right now the utility owns its own wind turbine with the capacity of just 0.66 megawatts (MW). It also has a power purchase agreement for 10 MW from a wind farm near Ainsworth, Nebraska.

In its request for proposals, OPPD indicated an interest in projects that could generate up to 80 MW. No decision can be made until the district conducts a thorough evaluation of the proposals. Even so, with the proper proposals, OPPD could enter into an agreement for wind-generated electricity by next April.

OPPD says its customers have voiced support for using more renewable resources like wind to generate the increasing amounts of electricity they are requiring.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nuke Plant on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:10 AM
I'm all for another nuke plant. The tech is proven, can provide the clean energy of tens of thousands of windmills in a fraction of the space, and more people died at Chappaquiddick (one) than at Three Mile Island (none).

Posted by: Jeff on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:13 AM
This is fantastic news. Wind is one of our best solutions to addressing our energy needs - both for our pocketbook as well as our planet. Please do your research before spouting off about subsidies - Oil, Gas, Coal, Nuclear all still get subsidies from the govt and have been doing so for decades. Calculate those subsidies into the mix and the amount of money going to Wind and Solar seems insignificant. In areas with good wind resources, Wind Energy is also now the least-cost-option for new power generation - even less than coal. It's not the silver bullet cure-all for our energy woes, but it is one of the best tools we have available today.

Posted by: Bill on Oct 14, 2008 at 05:07 AM
On days where there is no wind, you could have the politicians in Washington provide plenty of wind - they are full of hot air.

Posted by: To T on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Yes, these wind turbines are subsidized, but wind is clean and a home grown energy. Isn't it better than sending money to the OPEC?

Posted by: Rachel on Oct 13, 2008 at 05:10 PM
I feel sorry whoever lives next to those when a tornado comes through! Giant harpoons!!!

Posted by: Mark on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Although I feel that wind should have harnessed years ago, I applaud OPPD in their direction. Way to go!

Posted by: T on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:33 PM
OPPD - please do not saddle the ratepayers and taxpayers with the costs of these inefficient, hugely subsidized wind turbines.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:48 PM
This should have been done years ago, except Regan stopped the support. NOw maybe we can get on with it, and Iowa should do more as well. Good clean and available wind power!