Some OPPD customers' rates could rise 6.9 percent in January.
The rate increase proposal will be discussed at Thursday’s OPPD board meeting. If the OPPD board approves the rate increase in December, the average residential customer’s bill will go up $7.30. The utility is also proposing a 5 percent rate increase for commercial customers and 8.5 percent for industrial customers.
Spokeswoman Paula Lukowski says the rate increase is needed for infrastructure improvements. Another factor in the rate increase is the work toward re-opening the Fort Calhoun Station.
The NRC and OPPD have a public meeting Thursday evening in Blair to discuss the progress toward re-starting the nuclear plant. It’s been offline since last April, first for refueling, then due to Missouri River flooding. Fort Calhoun Station has remained closed after numerous safety issues were uncovered by the NRC.
Exelon Nuclear Partners has taken over day-to-day operations at the plant. OPPD is still the license holder.
More information on the rate increase proposal, and the status of the Fort Calhoun Station, is available at www.oppd.com.
