|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Powering Business Growth in Nebraska To the Business Professional
At Omaha Public Power District, we're excited that you're considering a business investment in our southeastern Nebraska service area. We're committed to helping our customers succeed by providing affordable and reliable power and professional services. In fact, while other energy costs are rising, OPPD has maintained rates that are well below the national average, and we plan to continue to focus on rate stability in the future. We serve more customers than any other electric utility in Nebraska, and in these changing times, we know that customers expect more from their energy provider. At OPPD, we continually look for ways to help our business customers prosper. We can be a powerful ally for you as you consider doing business in our thriving communities. We look forward to being an energy partner that helps you succeed and grow. Sincerely,
Gary Gates A Tradition of Powering Business GrowthLow rates and nationally recognized service provided by the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) are among the major advantages of selecting a business location in southeast Nebraska. OPPD is a publicly owned, business-managed electric utility, with an ingrained appreciation for the needs and concerns of business. OPPD serves more than 331,000 customers in Omaha and other communities in 13 southeastern Nebraska counties. OPPD was founded in 1946 as a public entity governed by an elected board of directors. Its publicly owned status makes it highly responsive to the needs of the eastern Nebraska region it serves. Economic strength has always been recognized as a primary need of any community, and OPPD emphasizes and actively supports the recruitment, development and nurturing of business and industry in our area. "During the selection process for a site for our new warehouse, we focused on locations in both Nebraska and Iowa and analyzed many economic factors. OPPD was a great help, partnering with us to provide critical energy information, including a timetable for moving a major transmission line on the property. This assisted us in making the decision to locate our new operation in La Vista."- Steve Frary, Oriental Trading Company Chief Executive Officer. Low Rates Power GrowthOPPD was founded with the expectation that it would provide reliable service at an affordable cost. Today, more than five decades later, it continues to meet that expectation with commercial and industrial rates greater than 30 percent below the national average, according to the Energy Information Administration. OPPD keeps its rates low by anticipating the needs of the service area, then working to meet those needs in the most economical way possible. For example: • OPPD has an efficient generation mix of 46.2 percent coal, 18.8 percent nuclear power, 34.7 oil and natural gas and .3 percent landfill gas and wind. We also use oil- and natural gas-fired turbines and peaking units. • OPPD's Nebraska City Station, one of our coal-fired plants, consistently ranks among the lowest-cost steam-electric power plants in the nation. • A second power station being built at the Nebraska City site will provide 660 megawatts of power for area businesses and participating utilities. • Approval of OPPD's open-access transmission enables the utility to aggressively sell power to other utilities. Revenues from these sales are returned to our customers in the form of rate stability and system improvements. The bottom line is power at a cost that will help hone your company's competitive edge! Electric Rate ComparisonsPrinter-friendly version of four charts below 2006 Industrial Average Price per kWh
2006 Commercial Average Price per kWh
SavingsHow much could you save if your manufacturing/business operation were located in OPPD's service area? Using the charts below and the number of shifts and electricity usage pattern closest to your own, you can determine an approximate rate. OPPD personnel are eager to provide you with exact cost figures based on your company's electricity demand and usage. Industrial
Commercial
ReliabilityFor more than half a century OPPD has fulfilled its public trust to provide reliable, affordable electric service. The ASAI (Average Service Availability Index) is a commonly used measurement of utility reliability. It is determined by the number of customer hours available, divided by the number of customer hours served.
Excellent Service ReliabilityOPPD's grid reliability is monitored annually by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). In 2006, OPPD scored very well in the NERC Readiness audit (on-site audit) and received 100 percent compliance on the self audit for planning and operational standards. Through its membership in the Midwest Contigency Reserve Sharing Group, OPPD has access to energy reserves in emergency situations. The Midwest Contingency Reserve Sharing Group consists of about 40 members spread over the upper Midwest region of the United States and Canada. Besides efficient utilization of baseload stations and peaking units, one key to OPPD's excellent service reliability is the instant availability of additional power during times of high demand. OPPD assures that availability through its membership in the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool (MAPP). OPPD is a MAPP charter member. MAPP consists of 108 members with 41,405 megawatts of generating power and 20,023 miles of transmission lines. Through its membership, OPPD has access to operating reserves in emergency situations from each member's Reserve Capacity Obligation.
Premier Customer Service Provides Cost SavingsOPPD offers a variety of services that can further enhance the competitiveness of our commercial and industrial customers. In fact, in surveys conducted by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Omaha businesses consistently rank OPPD electrical service as one of the top three very important business climate factors. The menu of services provided by OPPD includes the following: Rate AnalysisCalled Ratemaster, this computerized program can quickly and accurately determine whether customers are on the most advantageous rate for their operations. OPPD also can compare your current energy costs to OPPD's costs. After benefiting from an annual rate review, the president of an Omaha iron castings company told us ... "The progressive thinking exhibited by establishing this new rate will certainly benefit ratepayers, and is exactly the type of thinking needed to promote economic development for the Omaha area." Al Campbell, President, Paxton-Mitchell
Omaha businesses rank electrical service as one of the area's most positive business climate factors. Source: Target Omaha Business Survey; Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Surge Guard and Uninterruptible Power Supply SystemsTo ensure reliability, OPPD offers commercial and industrial customers several products - Surge Guard Protection and PowerUP, an uninterruptible power supply system. These products protect sensitive electronic equipment from power fluctuations caused by lightning, high winds, animal interference, broken tree limbs and traffic accidents involving utility poles. Surge Guard Protection shields sensitive electronic equipment from the effects of lightning and other power surges. PowerUP, an uninterruptible power supply, guards against momentary outages or decreases in power and provides backup power to keep electronic equipment operating without interruption for short periods of time. Standby GenerationOPPD coordinates the installation of a standby generator when a facility needs this power reliability advantage. Standby generation provides these benefits:
Continuous CommissioningContinuous Commissioning (CC) is an ongoing process to integrate and optimize energy system operations, improve comfort and minimize energy use. The CC process typically reduces energy utility costs by 25 percent and lowers retrofit costs by up to 15 percent. OPPD jointly offers CC services to its customers with the Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Performance ContractingThe Performance Contracting Program provides commercial and industrial customers an opportunity to upgrade the mechanical systems in their facilities to reduce energy costs without an upfront investment or budget increase. If a customer wants to upgrade its energy systems, a comprehensive energy review will be conducted to identify where improvements are needed. OPPD will then work with the customer to identify cost savings associated with each project, finance project costs and guarantee the savings in writing. Energy ExpertsOPPD electrical service designers and account executives will work directly with your operations personnel to continually assess your needs. OPPD has always been guided by the needs of its customers - and that's something that will never change. Summary BillingOPPD provides a streamlined system for commercial and industrial customers with multiple locations or service accounts. You will receive a summary of charges, itemized by account. This service will streamline your accounts-payable process and simplify your budgeting and forecasting. More Customer PowerOPPD Adding Second Power Plant at Nebraska CityAs part of its mission to provide customers with reliable, low-cost electricity, OPPD develops a long-range plan to determine the best way to meet its customers' future energy needs. The most recent plan concluded that building a second coal-fired generating unit at the Nebraska City Power Station site would be the most reliable and economical source of this additional energy. Several factors make the Nebraska City site a good choice. The site was planned to accommodate a total of four generation units. In addition, Nebraska City Station has rail access from competing railroads, which helps keep coal-transportation costs down. The site also is equipped with coal-handling and storage systems, an electrical substation and transmission lines. Several other utilities will be sharing energy from the 600-megawatt plant, making the construction and operation more economical.
Site Selection Assistance ServicesEconomic Development Can Assist Your Company
"Omaha businesses rank electrical service as one of the area's most positive business climate factors"
OPPD can provide you with low-cost, reliable power and a variety of energy-related programs and services. Our Economic Development Department can offer extensive site-selection assistance. When you're considering a location in the OPPD service area, OPPD's Economic Development experts can:
Our Commitment: To Exceed Your ExpectationsAt the Omaha Public Power District, taking care of business used to mean generating an adequate supply of power and then delivering it reliably. These tasks continue to be critical, but, as the utility industry changes, OPPD has redefined its business philosophy. Now, at OPPD, taking care of business means taking care of you and exceeding your expectations. We're committed to our customers' needs, and we'll work hard to be your energy partner. 
The staff of OPPD's Economic Development Department is ready to assist in site selection searches or other economic development needs.
Mail inquiries to any of our team members at: Economic Development, Omaha Public Power District, 444 South 16th Street Mall, 2E/EP3, Omaha, NE 68102-2247 Or Fax to:(402) 636-3914
|
OPPD | Customer Service | Energy Library | News and Events
Products and Services | Education | Who We Are
Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Statement
