GOTHENBURG- The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District announced that it had postponed a special meeting that was set to take place on Monday in the hopes of sparking talks with opponents of its controversial merger with the Dawson Public Power District, which was meant to streamline operations at the new Gothenburg fertilizer plant. Central spokesman Alexn Linden said in a press release that the utility organization wanted to continue its talks with local irrigators, who argue that the merger will take water away from farmers who utilize man-made irrigation systems.

Local irrigators opposed to the merger, which would form the "Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District," also fear they will lose representation should the plans go through. The proposed merger has spawned the formation of a grassroots opposition group, titled Citizens Opposed to the Merger, as well as lawsuits and objections. Central and Dawson, meanwhile, argue that combining their organizations will save $12 million in electrical costs over seven years and would marry a district that generates hydropower (Central) with another that sells such power (Dawson) to retail customers, streamlining the process.

Water users and irrigators recently met with Sens. Steve Halloran and Dave Murman to discuss their objections to the merger. Gary Robinson, a spokesman for Citizens Opposed to the Merger, believed it was a good meeting, but didn't indicate when his organization would meet with the Central and Dawson Public Power Districts. Resolutions proposed by the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce and the Kearney and Phelps County Boards that prohibit the merger have all been passed, with the Chamber arguing that the merge would hurt the regional economy.

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