Dawson Public Power District, Courtesy
LEXINGTON — The Dawson Public Power District Board of Directors met on Wednesday, June 4, to review the District’s financial performance, discuss infrastructure improvements, and receive updates.
Dana F. Cole Company, an independent auditor, reported to the board their review of DPPD’s 2024 financials. They reported there were no compliance issues and that DPPD was meeting all federal accounting requirements and regulations. The report also stated that DPPD maintains a strong financial position with good cash reserves and healthy equity. Additionally, DPPD reinvested $14.3 million back into both the distribution services and backbone sub-transmission power lines, with operating revenues in 2024 amounting to $65 million.
The Board reviewed plans for two significant infrastructure upgrades to begin October 2025. The first project involves upgrading and increasing the capacity of a substation north of Cozad. This $2.4 million investment will remove lines from private right-of-way, modernize the substation, and improve safety and reliability. The second project, estimated at $5.5 million, will convert a sub-transmission line south of North Platte from 34.5 kilovolts (kV) to 69 kV. The conversion will help DPPD reroute power to customers in the event of a large power outage, reducing outage time.
In other business:
• The Board reviewed DPPD’s financial standards, which serve as benchmarks for performance, decision-making, and future goal setting. A summary showed that DPPD is consistently meeting or exceeding its established goals, demonstrating sound financial governance.
• Manager of IT Robb Hanna conducted training on cybersecurity. He highlighted the dangers of common unsafe practices, such as writing down passwords or reusing them across multiple sites.
• Don Batie attended the Nebraska Rural Electric Association Board and Committee Meetings on May 7-8.
• Brad Brodine attended the Nebraska Public Power District wholesale customer meeting on May 22.
The next DPPD Board Meeting is scheduled for July 2.
About Dawson Public Power District:
Dawson Public Power District is a public power utility providing reliable and affordable electricity to about 24,000 meters in south central Nebraska. Dedicated to community service and safety, DPPD continually invests in its infrastructure and workforce to ensure the continued delivery of essential power. The district’s 5,800 square miles territory includes all of the rural areas in Dawson and Buffalo Counties, approximately two-thirds of Gosper County, a third of Lincoln County and parts of Custer, Sherman and Frontier Counties. Dawson PPD also serves several villages including Hershey, Maxwell, Brady, Farnam, Eustis, Elwood, Eddyville, Smithfield, Overton, Sumner, Miller, Riverdale, Amherst, Odessa and Pleasanton. To learn more, visit www.DawsonPower.com.
