LINCOLN- Last year, a political committee was organized to back candidates for the NPPD board who were in favor of an 'all-of-the-above energy mix' rather than renewable resources. The purpose of this committee is to counter the out-of-state money that is spent on candidates that are in favor of expanding wind and solar energy. A startup loan has raised questions about whether public money is being used to back political campaigns. The general manager of the cooperative says the loan was made in compliance with the law. Ratepayers from public power districts across the state disagreed and filed complaints with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

A previous NPPD chairman says as a private entity, they should not be able to use public funds to promote candidates. Other board members say the action was a, “money-laundering scheme with ratepayer dollars.”

OPPD plans to be a carbon neutral organization by 2050, and the NPPD must be prepared to guide the state to that goal.

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