[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6598916,"mediaKeyId","3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051","parentId",3021652,"title","Grand Island reviews options to replace aging generation; staff favors 37‑MW build to preserve capacity","audioSeconds",3730,"startMs",3737000,"endMs",6628,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051&start=3737&end=6","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051/thumbnail_3737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6598916/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Grand-Island-reviews-options-to-replace-aging-generation-staff-favors-37MW-build-to-preserve-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598916-cd6e586d1945bbd128293721de488725/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151051&Signature=o8Vf3OsAXbZKF8iWk-allW0xr315rO~gPzcg~PTuD8esScB7WiiSAVukVEJ3A8Zp1MnnHn6MkN3j5yYJaRtMSnQVpgZYJmrZLggAWRuepnT9bP9bmnz2r8kVL8sEklY4Jz~5-q1O9GE4kOi9cV1ZX4McTtj0UQaxL5KnQZa5w5rpPn81Lx0oCw6WACOtSbSsV3j2yJxlOAE80mZViRNZEWgXhZZQkFAO7jJNKjMKLwKDFh0OPvQIWzbb~YS4j4rHvKYZowExZxbBIdUz301giKqT88fFSjs0zLAyVgusSq7B~vO6AzKlWE3C6IAwyKXfT5iysaKnB6Hdpz1wU1IKFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Grand Island, NE","date","2025-04-16T15:03:25.58Z","article","Grand Island utilities staff presented the city’s generation portfolio and three high‑level options for adding dispatchable capacity at the April 15 City Council meeting, recommending a 37‑megawatt build as the most prudent way to protect long‑term reliability and economic development capacity.

Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz told the council about the city’s current generation mix and its vulnerability to regulatory change and asset age. Schmitz said roughly half of Grand Island’s nameplate generation comes from coal and identified the plants the utility is watching most closely: PGS (about 100 megawatts) and GT1 (about 13 megawatts). He said Clean Air Act regulatory requirements under prior federal rulemaking would have complicated keeping Platt/PGS online past Jan. 1, 2032, but that the proposed federal action had been stayed; staff said that regulatory uncertainty remains a factor in planning.

Options and financial summary: Staff presented two build‑out options and a “do nothing” alternative. The smaller option—22 megawatts—largely reuses the city’s current annual debt service (a $4.1 million bond that retires in August 2028) and would have a negligible rate impact, according to staff. The larger option—37 megawatts—was presented as “closer to optimal” for covering capacity should PGS retire or become unusable; Schmitz said staff conservatively assumed a $3,000,000 per‑megawatt capital cost, estimated O&M at about $1.5 million per year and estimated capacity market revenue of roughly $2.2 million per year for the 37‑MW case. Using those inputs, staff estimated an annual shortfall of about $2.2 million for the 37‑MW scenario, which was described as roughly equivalent to a 3% increase in electric rates (staff framed this as an illustrative calculation, not a final rate request).

Why it matters: Southwest Power Pool capacity accreditation and the city’s obligation to carry sufficient dispatchable generation for peak loads mean losing PGS or GT1 without replacement could force the city either to buy capacity at market prices or undertake rapid and large rate increases. Schmitz and other staff warned that buying capacity in crisis conditions can be far more expensive and present substantial financial risk to the city.

Operational and staffing implications: Staff said Grand Island can operate additional capacity largely with existing trained staff; the presentation proposed two short‑term, transitional positions (an operations trainer and a temporary senior electrical/instrumentation and controls role) to support training and asset commissioning during a build. Schmitz noted workforce demographics: seven EIC technicians have an average age of about 63, and plant operator experience has fallen from an average of 32 years in 2013 to about 9 years in 2025, prompting the need for formal training capacity.

Timing and process: Schmitz said the Southwest Power Pool interconnection study process has an annual window (the next opens in April 2026) and that permitting, design and construction can extend multiple years. Staff emphasized aligning capital timing with the 2028 bond retirement so that debt service can offset new financing costs.

Council discussion: Council members asked about alternatives (renewables, storage, hybrid approaches), how municipal and regional capacity markets treat wind and solar accreditation (wind shown at 35.8 MW owned but capacity accreditation of about 12 MW), natural‑gas supply and pipeline options (staff reported ongoing talks with Northwestern Gas about pipeline capacity at the Burdick site), and the economic role of potential large loads such as data centers or manufacturing (utilities staff cautioned that such loads can require tens of megawatts and can affect substation and generation planning). One council member said the 37‑MW option “sounds like the prudent path forward.”

Next steps: Staff requested authority to develop detailed studies and to proceed with consultant work to evaluate interconnection, technology choice and financing; the council was asked to consider the financial tradeoffs and to expect future formal proposals and budget items. No vote was taken on April 15.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 15, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City utilities staff told the Grand Island City Council on April 15 that adding dispatchable generation—staff recommended a 37‑megawatt build—would better protect the city from capacity shortfalls if its coal‑fired PGS plant retires or becomes subject to tighter regulation.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska","taxId",4603,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6598921,"Grand Island finance staff propose using vacancy savings to stabilize staffing, fund capital projects",3361,759000,4120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051&start=759&end=4120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051/thumbnail_759000.jpg","/articles/6598921/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Grand-Island-finance-staff-propose-using-vacancy-savings-to-stabilize-staffing-fund-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598921-539ee8c158a256de587aa39b0d7ef0fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151051&Signature=lylrydU0jyqi0X4Wa6bd~NYDDBYrsobwCDTvjBaA6JalpzDDuhU0NhaqUhq6~cGzqRoFGkakzawLWrlBs2MzJqM1XygDR-o7VtUtgfF3LIO3XaMCP41HWn0X2fs0S50qVi7qADSIMJjZrNl4kKvLDtkr3ENM~HNSo1NhDxr1Jkutj2IxPiiC26a8gZ3JdEqlUB-4XHuwoL6ROF09IfgWoI7MzcdnU-nEwSoVew7N69CoCMUQ0jMMQwEbHjQvccQT24aLTBgT1-RY4HE04S6-2~o5XvcX13indVPjn363y3TI7flNCcFhP7MNJR~jcPf~DzSmsUwYhblr0GLpHJY7lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff outlined preliminary assumptions and a proposed fiscal approach for the FY2026 budget at the Grand Island City Council meeting on April 15.

Patrick Brown, assistant city administrator and chief financial officer, said the city faces economic uncertainty and plans to approach the 2026 budget with “very cautious optimism.” Mr. Schultz of the finance team walked the council through the process and presented initial parameters: a 2% projected increase in revenues (about $1.1 million), an expected 10% rise in operating expenses (roughly $1.0 million), and a 4% estimate for personnel costs (salaries and benefits). The finance staff said their current plan is to present a property tax request that keeps the dollar amount flat compared with recent years; staff clarified that “keep it flat” referred to the amount, not the rate.

Why it matters: Finance staff said elevated construction, fuel, equipment and contracted‑service costs and uncertain external revenue streams make conservative assumptions necessary. The council debated how to treat unspent vacancy savings, which staff said totaled about $3,600,000 last year.

Key proposal and mechanics: Finance proposed retaining up to 50% of prior‑year vacancy savings within the general fund as a “general fund staffing stability” reserve to help cover personnel costs (for example, collective bargaining settled increases, health insurance), and transferring the remainder to a capital improvements fund. Under current fiscal policy those vacancy savings flow to the bottom line and are available only for one‑time capital uses; staff said a policy change would be required to formalize the new approach. Brown described the staffing stability pool as intended to support existing FTEs and to avoid using prior savings to fund new, ongoing positions.

Council questions and clarifications: Council members asked about the policy’s mechanics, the risk of accumulating an unused balance, and how the pool would interact with the council’s 20–30% reserve guidance (staff noted a 30% target minimum). Staff said the amount moved each year would be a recommendation from finance based on current revenue forecasts and needs; if revenues are strong the transfer would be smaller and excess would remain in cash reserves. Councilors also discussed vacancy timelines and whether positions unfilled for multiple years should be re‑evaluated during the annual budget cycle.

Other budget items discussed briefly: the presentation reviewed ClearGov budget software, the calendar for the budget process (department 1‑on‑1s, presentations on the general fund, enterprise and major special revenue funds), fee schedule updates effective Oct. 1, salary ordinance and property tax requests to be considered later in the year. Finance staff emphasized that directors may still bring staffing requests, but strong justification will be required in this uncertain year.

No formal action or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; finance staff said they will return with specific policy language and formal items for council consideration later in the budget season.","City finance staff presented preliminary FY2026 budget parameters April 15, recommending using a portion of prior‑year vacancy savings as a staffing stabilization pool and moving other savings into a capital improvements fund while keeping the property tax ask flat for now.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6598925,"Grand Island honors utilities crews for rapid storm restorations",546,196000,742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051&start=196&end=742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021652-993eff38163b9d5924b6b1de85513051/thumbnail_196000.jpg","/articles/6598925/Grand-Island/Hall-County/Nebraska/Grand-Island-honors-utilities-crews-for-rapid-storm-restorations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598925-8757205a1e9a1793e16312f40881f43f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151051&Signature=D-PsHXKsmeWnacQBRojCRiQlLGgoENWUMis5ZWdK4Ylo6EK9BEMTYK3xy8nK24q7MDJXWsHyJCUIGjQDm2DEbQOGMcVKgRiXobCpmYLiaVCbvhcTNReYOlZEhuSu8v-2SBJfdWKp2LR7MAK96ZDO47X~eWKqKodvdxpzIOIi9Z~G43MU9pSVbmd2~22tI~V2R~xhsFIeIIIEMRxJtJMImIL7PACbsS174RLKcHIpXNoMHZKR89-ROz2-GJNglHBNIHOR7lMX2IUw0YOO3ar3MASPTwPMxqvalgOWLJEuenNq99Ak9BgkAeJqWB-yOeA6Wu3X0r2h0dljnGmbNBc2OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island City Council on April 15 formally recognized the city’s utilities line crews and dispatch operators for rapid power restorations following severe winter and wind storms.

Mayor Steele opened the recognition, saying the crews “were out in the field, restoring power, keeping people safe, and bringing light back to our homes,” and noting the teams restored service to most customers in less than 24 hours after the March 19 blizzard. Utilities Director Ryan Schmitz told the council crews remained on duty “through the entire storm” and that Grand Island was among the few utilities in the storm’s path to restore full service that night. Schmitz also said crews later went to Fremont to assist that community’s recovery.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the work averted significant financial losses for affected households and preserved public safety during hazardous conditions. Council members who spoke called the crews “heroes” and urged public appreciation for the risks line workers face.

Officials described the scale and conditions. Schmitz said the March 19 blizzard left “more than 10,000 residents” without power and that strong winds on April 1—about “70 miles per hour,” as the council described—caused further outages in northwest and northeast Grand Island. Schmitz and other staff read the names of on‑duty personnel and identified teams from line and underground crews and the dispatch center; several employees were asked to come forward for recognition and a photograph.

Council member Sherwood and Council member O’Neil added personal observations about impacts on households and the utility system’s preparedness. Sherwood described a city employee who lost hundreds of dollars of food from a thawed freezer during the outage, noting the personal financial impact to residents. O’Neil said tours of utility facilities before the storms left him “so impressed by the level of infrastructure” and reported minimal business interruption during the outages.

The council’s recognition included named utility staff: Josh Hartley (line and underground manager), Brian Fiala and Scott Bauer (storm managers, dispatch alignment), Logan Journeys, Jared Wood, Tristan White, Garrett Porter, Eric Bodenal, Jimmy Brzezinski, Frank Rodriguez (line and underground crew), and dispatch personnel Travis Spees (dispatch manager), Jeff Heagle (energy supply supervisor), and Chad Holmes. Lynn Mayhew (assistant utility director, production) and Brandon Cluthy (safety coordinator) were also noted for their roles.

Council members paused regular business to applaud the crews before moving on to the evening’s agenda.","The Grand Island City Council recognized municipal utilities line workers and dispatch staff April 15 for restoring power after a March blizzard and high‑wind events, and officials described mutual‑aid work in Fremont and dangerous field conditions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Island reviews options to replace aging generation; staff favors 37‑MW build to preserve capacity

Grand Island finance staff propose using vacancy savings to stabilize staffing, fund capital projects

Grand Island honors utilities crews for rapid storm restorations