Three public power utilities in Nebraska have signed membership agreements with Southwest Power Pool Inc. (SPP), a regional transmission organization headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. SPP has submitted the membership applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The three utilities plan to complete by April 1, 2009 transition activities such as installing IT infrastructure and training staff, so they can fully participate in SPP services.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Lincoln Electric System and Omaha Public Power District began analyzing options for membership in a regional transmission organization last year.
‘Membership in SPP will be beneficial to the electric customers in our service areas by providing each of our utilities with more operational flexibility as part of a larger, regional service area,’ says Pat Pope, vice president and chief operating officer of NPPD. ‘NPPD and the other utilities are glad to find common ground.’
SPP has members in eight states, with the northern edge of its service territory bordering Nebraska.
SOURCE: Southwest Power Pool Inc.
