New coal plant one option to expand OPPD capacity
Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The Omaha Public Power District was considering whether to build a third coal plant at its Nebraska City site to expand capacity in the next 10 years, even as a second plant at the site was still under construction.
OPPD projects it will need another power plant as soon as 2016. The power district's 15-year plan includes proposals for the coal plant. Under the existing plan, the utility would work with others to build a 660-megawatt plant.
The utility is seeking public comments on the plan through July 13, spokesman Jeff Hanson said. The plan will be finished by the end of the year.
OPPD is considering a new nuclear plant or expanding its natural gas plant.
"So much can change," Hanson said. "We are not wedded to one fuel source."
But Sierra Club conservation organizer Mark Kresowik said the utility should instead pursue renewable energy and ways to use energy more efficiently.
Kresowik said energy demands could go down with greater use of technologies that consume less.
Hanson said OPPD is looking for renewable energy sources. According to the current plan, OPPD would likely use wind power if new laws required a certain percentage of power from renewable energy.
On the Net:
OPPD Integrated Resource Plan: http://tinyurl.com/2bpcxo
OPPD projects it will need another power plant as soon as 2016. The power district's 15-year plan includes proposals for the coal plant. Under the existing plan, the utility would work with others to build a 660-megawatt plant.
The utility is seeking public comments on the plan through July 13, spokesman Jeff Hanson said. The plan will be finished by the end of the year.
OPPD is considering a new nuclear plant or expanding its natural gas plant.
"So much can change," Hanson said. "We are not wedded to one fuel source."
But Sierra Club conservation organizer Mark Kresowik said the utility should instead pursue renewable energy and ways to use energy more efficiently.
Kresowik said energy demands could go down with greater use of technologies that consume less.
Hanson said OPPD is looking for renewable energy sources. According to the current plan, OPPD would likely use wind power if new laws required a certain percentage of power from renewable energy.
On the Net:
OPPD Integrated Resource Plan: http://tinyurl.com/2bpcxo
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