I couldn’t agree more with the LJS 2/13 editorial “Power grab deserves more study.”  While the editorial left out that I was a vocal advocate for maintaining one seat on the NPPD board (and voted for an amendment that would have done that), I chose to abstain on the first-round vote to advance the bill in hopes that a compromise could be found on the issue as it reached the next stage of debate.

While I agree with the bill introducers that Lincoln’s representation on the NPPD board should not increase to three members, the legislation goes too far in removing both of Lincoln’s seats.  Not only does Lincoln rely on NPPD for around 30 percent of its energy (at a cost of $40 million per year), but decisions made by the NPPD board regarding energy policy and production have direct implications on the residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

The starkest example is that of Sheldon Station, a coal-fired generating plant owned by NPPD and located near Hallam.  Sheldon Station  is the largest air polluter in the county, spewing around 4,000 tons of nitrous oxide into the air annually.

Denying Lincoln any representation on the NPPD board amounts to pollution without representation.  Capitol City residents would have no input on Sheldon Station’s future and no voice in any discussions regarding expanding the facility — even if it resulted in increased air pollution in Lancaster County.

Additionally, the bill moving through the Legislature ignores a 1986 law stating that electrical energy from public power is important not only to ratepayers, but to the people and economy of those in proximate areas to those served.  For the sake of Lincoln’s economy and quality of life, we must have a seat at the table.

There is no need to hastily pass this controversial bill.  I support delaying the bill until next session, to give all parties an opportunity to develop a compromise that protects both the citizens of Lincoln and the interests of NPPD.

Reshuffling the representation on the board may indeed be appropriate, but the bill’s advocates seem more interested in ramming this legislation through to the finish line than in finding a balanced, fair compromise.  Further discussion and public input is warranted before the Legislature makes such a drastic change in our energy representation. 

Amanda McGill represents the 26th Legislative District in northeast Lincoln.