After discussions lasting 16 months, Omaha Public Power District and Southwest Power Pool, Inc. have announced that OPPD would continue its status as a transmission-owning member of SPP. The decision keeps OPPD in the same status.

Because of changes made to SPP’s method of allocating the costs of transmission, OPPD worked with SPP over the summer to consider upcoming transmission projects in SPP’s expansion plans, SPP’s three-year review of its Highway/Byway cost allocation methodology, and SPP’s Integrated Marketplace program.

“We believe that being a transmission owning member of SPP will provide our customer owners with many benefits,” said OPPD President and CEO W. Gary Gates. “Having a stronger transmission system will increase reliability and will provide a broader access to energy markets.”

Gates added that active participation in the SPP Integrated Marketplace will increase OPPD’s flexibility in being able to provide reliable, cost-effective power to its customer-owners.

According to SPP President and CEO Nick Brown, “We are pleased that OPPD continues to see the value of SPP membership and the SPP stakeholder process, and we will certainly do our part to live up to OPPD’s expectations. Our regional electric grid will benefit from OPPD’s continued participation in our wholesale energy and transmission service markets, transmission planning processes, and energy reserve sharing group.”

As part of its commitment, OPPD intends to participate in SPP’s regional allocation review task force and work for approval of new transmission projects that benefit OPPD and Nebraska.