The OPPD board is considering a future that does not include the Fort Calhoun plant.
In a meeting on Thursday the board heard from senior management why closing the plant would be in the utilities best interest.
The board heard recommendations before they make their decision in June.
CEO Tim Burke said as the industry changes, operating the plant is no longer financially sustainable.
“There are a variety of changes going on in the market.”
Burke said in a competitive market the utility has to find ways to keep customer rates as low as possible for their customers.
Nearly 700 people work at the Fort Calhoun plant, and Burke emotionally spoke about the impact closing the plant would have on them.
“We have asked them to do so many things, and they have been both feet in with everything we have asked them,” he said.
During public comment the wife of a Fort Calhoun plant worker said it's sad to hear it may close.
“The talent that is at that plant is amazing and it is really sad that talent will have to go away from Omaha,” she said.
If the plant does close, OPPD would try to absorb as many positions as possible, but there will be many people left without a job.
“It is going to be tough, and it should be, I think it should be tough, and we have to take those things into consideration,” said Burke.
Fort Calhoun generates 34% of OPPD’s electricity; the utility said it will look into natural gas, wind energy and contracts with other utilities to make up the difference.
OPPD said there would be no general rate increase for the next five years, but that doesn't make this decision any easier.
“This will be a tough day for the OPPD family,” said Burke.
OPPD said closing the plant will roughly cost 880 million dollars. They have almost 400 million saved for that. But if they do close the plant it would save up to 700-900 million dollars over the next 20 years.
The board will vote June 16th.
