The slow economy has postponed an Omaha Public Power District project that would have expanded the capabilities of the utility’s power plant in Cass County.
The Cassgram reports the $340 million project was first announced last November.
The postponement has a local economic impact. Construction was to have started next year and labor was to have peaked at 500 at one point.
OPPD said its intent was to encourage the hiring of local workers and use local subcontractors and vendors when possible.
About 20 additional full-time staff would have been needed when the plant was fully operational in 2014.
The decision to delay will take about $27 million out of OPPD’s 2010 capital budget.
