Skip to Content
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy Incentive Programs, Nebraska

Updated August 2011

Between 2008 and 2009 Nebraska significantly ramped up energy efficiency funding. In 2010 Nebraskan utilities budgeted $20 million to promote demand side management in the state; about 65% was for energy efficiency (gas and electric) and 35% for load management.

What public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs are available in my state?

Nebraska has no public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs.

What utility energy efficiency programs are available to me?

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) offers two incentive programs for business customers:

  • The Commercial Heat Pump Program provides rebates of $50 per ton for installing air-source, water-source, or geothermal heat pumps.

  • The Lighting Incentive Program program provides lighting audits and rebates (of up to $20,000), as well as custom project incentives, for energy-efficient lighting retrofits.

Lincoln Electric System (LES) offers rebate programs and assistance through its Sustainable Energy Program. Funds for the 2011 initiatives have been depleted but the program is expected to resume in 2012. 2011 programs included the:

  • The High Efficiency Heat Pump program, which provides rebates of $150 per ton for heat pumps with a SEER rating of 15 to 16.99, and $500 per ton for a SEER rating of 17 or higher.

  • The Commercial and Industrial Lighting Retrofit program provides cash incentives of up to $75 per fixture.

  • The Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency program provide incentives for energy efficiency measures and equipment that include air conditioner and heat pump replacement, variable frequency drives, compressed air systems analysis and upgrade, energy management systems' installation or upgrade, and systems' commissioning. Customers may also work with their account representative to design a custom program that reduces energy use and peak demand.

Northwestern Energy's Energy Management Solutions is a free technical assistance service for commercial and industrial customers. It provides an online library of information with a database of technical and engineering documents, a commercial energy use calculator and a problem-solving hotline.

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) offers incentives and technical assistance to commercial and industrial customers for lighting retrofits, premium efficiency motors, variable frequency drives and commercial HVAC through its EnergyWise program. Technical assistance for business and industrial customers includes energy efficiency audits, demand management, motor efficiency optimization and building performance.

What load management/demand response options are available to me?

Omaha Public Power District offers several interruptible riders, which pay customers for agreeing to provide load curtailments and/or activate on-site generation for a limited number of times per year. The riders differ based on the amount of load curtailment and whether participation is on a mandatory (where remuneration is higher) or voluntary basis.

The Nebraska Public Power District offers an Energy Curtailable Service Rider, for customers who wish to voluntarily reduce their load during an Energy Curtailment Period by a minimum of 50 kW. This rider may be used combination with other rider rate schedules.

What distributed energy resource options are available to me?

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. The following program may be of interest to federal customers.

Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by the state government?

No state energy efficiency programs are currently available to federal customers. For information on future opportunities, contact the Nebraska Energy Office.

What additional opportunities are available to me?

Federal customers whose utilities have area-wide contracts through GSA (such as Aquila, MidAmerican Energy, and OPPD) may be able to take advantage of 3rd-party financed energy efficiency projects called utility energy services contracts (UESCs). Information is available on GSA's Energy Center of Expertise Library Page. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of each utility's participation.

NOTE: Energy efficiency funds and demand response programs are updated at least annually. Please contact the FEMP webmaster if changes are needed between updates.