(SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE) - Dakota County, Nebraska has a future so bright for business, power companies expect a 75% jump in electricity needs by 2013. In an open house at South Sioux City's Marina Inn, the Nebraska Public Power District laid out its framework for meeting those needs, spurred by industrial development and a possible "server farm" moving to the area.

In addition to increased capabilities, "Having two lines will also provide a reliable source of electricity," said NPPD's Mark Becker. Two 115 kilovolt power lines will meet up with two substations in Dakota County, one old, one new.

With no official plans for lines yet, the NPPD asked landowners to talk about their property Tuesday. "So they can get a better idea of how we should route our lines, and where we should go," said Becker.

DelRae Beermann lives near the current substation outside Dakota City, and wanted to learn more about the project. She met with "mappers" Tuesday who took notes about her property for the NPPD. Some of that collected information, Becker said could rule out certain properties.

Engineers will take what's learned at the South Sioux City open house and develop a few possible routes, called a "study corridor." The company will host more public meetings, and come up with a final route for the two lines in a few months. The entire project should take about a year.

 

Reported by Jeremy Maskel. You can reach Jeremy at jmaskel@kmeg.com.