OPPD briefs Dodge County supervisors on generation expansion and Platteview Solar operations

Christopher Meeks, who introduced himself as a new Government and Community Relations Strategist for Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), and Michaela Valentin, OPPD Government Affairs & Community Relations Manager, updated the Dodge County Board on the utility’s near‑term and long‑range plans.

Meeks said he has worked with OPPD’s public affairs unit assigned to local government for about three months and summarized OPPD’s goal to expand its energy portfolio so the utility can double generating capacity over the next ten years. Valentin reported that OPPD hopes to have natural gas generating stations at Standing Bear Lake and Turtle Creek online by August 2024, and that the Platteview Solar facility near Yutan began commercial operations on May 2, 2024.

Chairman Missel thanked OPPD for support related to the Fremont Municipal Inland Port Authority’s projects, noting access to power will be a significant factor for local development. No procurement decisions or county commitments were recorded in the minutes following the presentation.