(HOLDREGE, Neb.) – The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District board of directors approved the purchase of a new transformer for the Jeffrey Hydroplant during the July board meeting.
The approved bid was awarded to OTC Services of Louisville, Ohio for the price of $1,463,528. The 69kV transformer is a replacement for the current Jeffrey Transformer 3 that was installed around 1950. Currently the subtransmission transformer operates at 34.5kV. Dawson Public Power District (DPPD) will be upgrading their system to operate at 69KV which connects to this transformer and provides electrical service to many Dawson PPD customers in the area. Hydroelectric Operations Supervisor Anton Hassebrook discussed additional work that will be required to put the new transformer into service, including underground power cables and conduit from the powerplant as well as a new foundation and structure for the transformer and high voltage lines.
Jeffrey Hydroplant was not designed in the 1930s with a hydraulic (water) bypass and having two different paths to transmit power should one of those paths be unavailable since no water could bypass the hydroplant without it. Hassebrook reminded the board that 100% of Central’s irrigation water passes through the Jeffrey Hydroplant, so having that plant down would keep water from reaching the irrigation area for customers during the irrigation season.
Once the agreement is signed, pending legal review, it is anticipated the new transformer would be delivered for installation around Fall 2026.
Also at Monday’s Meeting:
- The directors approved the payment of $72,500 for crushed concrete to Paulson, Inc., for the base and surfacing of the new road to the Phillips Canyon Boat ramp that is currently under construction.
- Directors approved the proposal of hiring additional services to support the Kingsley Dam resurfacing project. RJH Consultants, Inc., the lead consultant of the project, has engaged a Coastal Engineering Force analyst to determine what energy forces the dam will need to withstand. In addition, a site-specific wind analysis will be completed to determine probable maximum wind speeds, directions and durations for use in the engineering design at Kingsley Dam.
- The board approved entering a 7-year lease with 1000 Plus, LLC allowing Central property to be used for a shooting range southeast of Lexington. There will be no annual lease payment to help accommodate accumulation of future relocation costs by 1000 Plus over the term of the lease.
- The board also approved a 30-year lease term with Johnson Lake Emergency Medical Service, Inc. The current 30-year term lease will expire at the end of February 2025.
- It was voted on by the board to extend the Wildlife Management Area lease with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for two years.
- Civil Engineer Tyler Thulin reported that Lake McConaughy’s elevation was at 3237.9 feet on Monday (59.9% capacity). Inflows are around 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflows are about 2,220 cfs which is down 500 cfs from last week with the Environmental Account release ending on June 30.
- The board approved the promotion of two employees at the Gothenburg location to supervisory positions. Jeremy Hendricks was named the Supply Canal Operations Supervisor and Chad Kolbo was named Supply Canal Maintenance Superintendent.