NEBRASKA CONNECTS: ENERGY CHOICES Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. In the coming years Nebraska’s public power utilities will consider options about how electricity is generated for the citizens of our state. For the state’s residents these choices will effect their home budgets, their businesses, and their environment. NETV has been invited to “eavesdrop” and televise a unique public discussion being organized by the Nebraska Public Power District. The discussions organized by the utility and the decisions NPPD faces are relevent to customers of every other public power district and municipal utility in the state. THE TELEVISION PROGRAM By the conclusion of Nebraska Connects With Energy viewers should have a broad over view of the economic and environmental choices faced by their public utilities in the coming years and how they can have a say in the future of electric power. The first half of the program will interweave taped background reports on our energy options prepared by Statewide interwoven with samples of the citizen discussions held by NPPD. The second half of the program features edited highlights of the large group discussion in Grand Island where citizens will be asked to consider what mix of energy sources they believe will best serve Nebraska’s economy and environment. "How do your opinions about future power sources compare with other Nebraskans? The Nebraska Public Power District commissioned a survey with The Public Decision Partnership to determine how a cross section of the state feels about its energy choices. » Read the final report. THE UTILITIES: Nebraska Public Power District Omaha Public Power District Lincoln Electric System A list of links to all the other power suppliers in Nebraska The trade group that represents the public power industry in the state is The Nebraska Power Association. Nationally, the American Public Power Association speaks for the public power industry. The Nebraska Rural Electric Association represents the specific concerns of the state's smaller electric utilities. THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: The state agency that regulates public power is the Nebraska Power Review Board. The Nebraska Energy Office "promotes the efficient, economic and environmentally responsible use of energy." At the federal level, issues related to electricity and energy are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM STATEWIDE: » PERSPECTIVE- ENERGY RELIABILITY: RealPlayer | QuickTime » PERSPECTIVE- ENERGY ALTERNATIVES: RealPlayer | QuickTime For transcripts of the above Perspective pieces, visit Statewide's Energy Options page. FROM NPRN: PUBLIC POWER CONSIDERS PRIVATE MANAGEMENT 8/15/03 - The Nebraska Public Power District is considering contracting with a private, out of state company to help run Cooper Nuclear Station in southeast Nebraska. NPPD says the move will save money and improve performance. Want to share your opinion on Nebraska's energy choices? Contact your local public power district, state officials and other groups interested in the same issues. Here are web links that provide up to date information on who to contact: RESOURCES: Want to compare the energy resources by the United States compared to the rest of the world? NationMaster.com provides some fascinating statistics! Need a study guide? An non-profit group funded by the energy industry supplies its materials on NEED.ORG. The US Environmental Protection Agency has useful information about the effects of electrical generation on air and water. Public Citizen is an environmental advocacy group concerned about health and safety issues. The Environmental Defense Fund supports "...creating sustainable, non-polluting sources of 'green' energy." STUDY GUIDE: Participants at the NPPD forum were provided background materials providing a wealth of information about how our electrical system and specific types of power generation work. It's a great resource for anyone wanting more background on the issues discussed on our program. » View the study guide.    [1,376 K]