SWNEBR.NET - The Nebraska Public Power District received unanimous support from those who attended an informational meeting in Auburn Tuesday, Sept. 9. Held to discuss a recommendation that NPPD hire Entergy Nuclear Nebraska (a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation) to provide support services at Cooper Nuclear Station, the public was invited to share their concerns, questions or comments with six NPPD Board of Directors who were present at the meeting as well as NPPD President and CEO Bill Fehrman.

More than 100 people attended.

Fehrman reviewed the extensive analysis of five options NPPD studied earlier this year for the future operations at Cooper Station and discussed the benefits NPPD expects to gain from its association with Entergy Nuclear Nebraska. He also gave an overview of the draft Support Services Agreement, which is available on NPPD’s website, emphasizing that the document is in draft form only and subject to change.

NPPD Board Chairman Wayne Boyd moderated the event and invited the attendees to comment.

Senator Floyd Vrtiska of Table Rock, Auburn Mayor Robert Engles, Norris Public Power District General Manager Glenn Schmieding of Beatrice and Jim Dietz, General Manager Auburn Board of Public Works, were among those who addressed the group.

“We appreciate everyone who stepped forward tonight to share their comments and opinions,” said Boyd. “We have received numerous emails and letters of support for moving forward with Entergy Nuclear Nebraska to improve operations at Cooper. Our customers, who represent a sizable portion of the state, have overwhelmingly backed the Board’s decision to enter into contract negotiations with Entergy Nuclear Nebraska. We appreciate their support.”

NPPD created a website, http://www.nppd.com/coopercomments, to accept additional public comments online. The draft contract can be accessed at this site.

Public comments from Tuesday night’s meeting, those collected online, as well as any received during a public comment period scheduled during NPPD’s Board meeting Thursday morning will be considered prior to the Board’s deliberation on whether to approve the Entergy Support Services Agreement.

The NPPD Board will review the proposed contract in detail during its public Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at NPPD headquarters, 1414 15th Street in Columbus, NE. An expanded public comment period will follow, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. It is anticipated that the Board will vote on the contract Friday, Sept. 12. Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m.

Always there when you need us, NPPD’s mission is to safely generate and deliver low-cost reliable energy and provide outstanding customer service. Working in partnership with the state’s rural public power districts, cooperatives and municipalities, NPPD helps serve an estimated 800,000 Nebraskans with retail or wholesale electric power and energy-related products and services.