Sara Birkett

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding virtual attendance and public notice. Key discussions included the acceptance of the November expense report, which showed the PRB operating approximately 6.95% over budget for the fifth month of the fiscal year. The Board approved the amended application PRB-4063-M for the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to construct a microwave communication facility in Holt County, determining that regulated carriers could not provide the required service at a lower cost and that the construction was in the public interest, also waiving a formal hearing. Furthermore, the Board directed staff to issue a Notice for a Show Cause hearing concerning the Muse Apartment Complex regarding a suspected violation of state law related to electric service transfer to OPPD. Updates were provided on Southwest Power Pool (SPP) activities, including the new CARE task force and the integrated transmission plan study process. The Board also reviewed updates on the Liphardt v. City of Lincoln lawsuit, where motions to intervene for the PRB and Eolian were granted. Finally, the Board rescheduled its 2026 meeting dates for June and January to avoid conflicts and unanimously voted to retain the current Chairman and Vice Chairwoman for their roles in 2026.

The meeting addressed corrections to previous minutes, acceptance of expense reports, and application PRB-4068 filed by Southern Public Power District. The board also discussed the withdrawal of application PRB-4069, and an amended application PRB-4063-M filed by Nebraska Public Power District. The board discussed the inclusion of additional information in the 2026 Load and Capability Report. The board formally approved comments in response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The board addressed a potential violation of Neb Rev. Stat. section 70-1011 by an apartment complex in OPPD's service area, and an update on SPP activities. The legal strategy was discussed regarding the PRB's participation in the *Liphardt v. City of Lincoln d/b/a Lincoln Electric System* lawsuit.

The Nebraska Power Review Board's meeting addressed several key items, including a discussion on intervening in the Liphardt v. City of Lincoln lawsuit regarding energy storage resources, and whether to request the Attorney General's authorization for this intervention. The board also considered filing comments on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the interconnection of large loads to the interstate transmission system. A committee was formed to draft and finalize these comments.

The Nebraska Power Review Board's meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The board discussed the Load and Capability Report and a potential transmittal letter to the Governor and the Natural Resources Committee. They reviewed and accepted the expense report for August, which included significant payments to JK Energy and conference registrations. The board also considered and approved the Howard-Greeley Rural Public Power District's Petition for Charter Amendment 8 and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska's Petition for Charter Amendment 42. Additionally, they held an evidentiary hearing and approved an application from the Nebraska Public Power District for a generation facility near Hallam, subject to conservation measures. The board also considered travel expenses for attorneys to attend the APPA Legal and Regulatory Conference and discussed a potential violation by an apartment complex in OPPD's service area. Finally, they reviewed a recent court decision regarding transmission line approvals and discussed upcoming meeting dates.

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) seeks approval from the Nebraska Power Review Board to amend its charter to include Holyoke, Colorado, as a participating municipality. MEAN confirms that the addition of Holyoke complies with the Municipal Cooperative Financing Act and does not conflict with other districts or corporations. The board also reviewed the Holyoke, Colorado's ordinance determining the need for such an Agency.