Nebraska is the latest state to commit to net zero carbon emissions as its three major utilities now have directives in place.

Nebraska Net Zero

Last week, the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) board voted 9-2 in favor of reaching the target by 2050. Last year, Lincoln Electric System (LES) said it would get to net zero by 2040, while Omaha Public Power District, or OPPD, aims to reach net zero by 2050.

The board and staff worked “closely with our wholesale customers, which includes rural public power districts, cooperatives and municipalities, while developing the goal,” an NPPD spokesperson told NGI, adding that “NPPD does not have any plans to shut down or power down any plants at this time.”

NPPD owns and operates two natural gas plants. Beatrice Power Station is a nominal 250...