Planning efforts are underway to ensure Omaha Public Power District is ready to support load growth and service reliability well into the future. During committee meetings for the OPPD Board of Directors this week, utility leaders shared how this work is taking shape and how our customers can participate.
The utility has a regulatory requirement to submit a long-term plan to the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) every five years as part of a hydropower agreement. The next submission is due by the end of 2026.
Past plans focused on resource needs and the timing and magnitude of those needs. But this Integrated System Plan (ISP) will take an expanded view of factors affecting the overall electric system, such as transmission and distribution, potential grid modernization, and customer solutions. It will also compare resource technology including supply-side and demand-side tools, creating potential energy portfolios for a variety of future demand scenarios. And it will guide our planned transition of North Omaha Station.
“We’re working towards a holistic, macro-level plan with the ISP,” said Dan Lenihan, senior director of Integrated System Planning. “And our customers’ priorities play a big role – how they weigh affordability, reliability and environmental sensitivity, for instance. We want to know what matters most to those we serve.”
With that in mind, OPPD is holding four virtual, interactive workshops this year. The first will be March 24th at 5 p.m. To register, visit OPPDCommunityConnect.com/ISP. All of these meetings will be recorded and posted online with meeting summaries for those unable to attend live.
Bellevue Reliability Project
OPPD invites the public to another virtual meeting, as well, to learn about transmission and distribution system upgrades in Bellevue. The changes will create more resilience and resilience for the area while paving the way for significant growth. This project is part of a multi-year, billion-plus dollar investment in infrastructure across our service territory.
To learn more, visit OPPDCommunityConnect.com/Bellevue. You can also attend a webinar taking place next Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Visit that project website or click here to register.
New MyOPPD app
This week, utility leaders reported their progress on technology updates to improve service for our customers, including the new MyOPPD app. This free app launched earlier this month, available in Apple and Android versions. It replaces our previous app, OPPDConnect, which is no longer connected to OPPD’s systems. If you had the old app, just delete it and download the new app.
The MyOPPD app lets you manage your account on the go. It features an improved power outage map with details on known outages such as response status, causes and estimated restoration times, when known. It also allows for personalized preferences that let you receive up to date notifications on your specific outage or bill, without having to call customer service. The app offers new ways to keep you informed and in control of the energy that powers your lives and businesses.
Once you have automated metering infrastructure (AMI), you’ll be able to view your energy usage on a monthly, hourly or 15-minute interval. That can help you save energy and money.
OPPD continues to install AMI in waves throughout our 13-county service territory. Customers are notified prior to installs starting in their neighborhoods. To date, more than 11,500 new meters have been installed. The utility expects to complete these installations by 2028.
In other action, the board:
- Approved the January 2026 meeting minutes and February 19, 2026, agenda.
- Accepted the Strategic Directive-6: Safety monitoring report. Acceptance means the board finds the utility to be taking reasonable and appropriate measures to comply with the directive.
- Accepted the Risk Committee annual report.
- Approved a resolution honoring Nathan P. “Sandy” Dodge IV, who died January 11 at the age of 89. Dodge served on the board from 1994 to 2012, including as board chair. He is remembered for solid judgment, delivered with kindness and integrity, as well as stewardship on behalf of our customers and the broader community.
Next board meetings
The next all-committees meeting will be held in person Tuesday, March 17, at 10 a.m. at OPPD administrative offices, 1919 Aksarben Dr. in Omaha, and virtually via Webex. The meeting link and instructions will be available at OPPD.com/CommitteeAgenda, beginning at about 9:45 a.m.
The next monthly board meeting is Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m., in person at the Legislative Chamber of the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center, 1819 Farnam St., as well as virtually via Webex. The public can attend virtually via the meeting link and instructions at OPPD.com/BoardAgenda, beginning at 4:45 p.m.