LINCOLN- Plans to merge two central Nebraska power districts ground to a halt last week after the board of one of the districts failed to muster enough votes to move forward with the controversial proposal. The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board voted 7-5 to approve a charter amendment and proceed with the merger with Dawson Public Power. But the 7-5 vote fell short of the eight-vote, super majority required in state law for such a merger.

A leading opponent of the merger called the vote “a huge victory for everyone who depends on the water Central delivers.” “The vote means that control of the water will remain in Central’s hands,” said Gary Robison, a farmer and president of Citizens Opposed to the Merger. Friday’s vote drew an overflow crowd to the meeting in Holdrege.

The Citizens, a group of irrigators served by Central Nebraska, had formed to block the merger, arguing that they would have less control over water deliveries that they rely on, and that there were no benefits to Central patrons. The two districts first announced plans to study a potential merger in November 2020. A delay in the vote earlier this month, to allow more talks with opponents, failed to quell critics, leading to the vote that fell short.

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