Energy Incentive Programs, Nebraska
Updated October 2008
Below you will find questions and answers regarding Nebraska's utility energy efficiency programs, including options for load management, demand response, and distributed energy resources, and information about state-sponsored energy efficiency programs.
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?
Through its Commercial Heat Pump Program, Omaha Public Power District offers rebates of $100/ton for installing ground- or water-source heat pumps.
OPPD also offers lighting audits and design assistance, as well as on-bill financing, through its Lighting Solutions initiative.
Lincoln Electric System offers several no-fee services, including energy audits, through its Energy Answers program.
Nebraska Public Power District offers energy audits focused on lighting, HVAC, motors, and demand reduction at industrial and commercial facilities.
What load management/demand responses 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 whether called events are mandatory (where remuneration is higher) or voluntary, and the minimum load drop ranges from 100 kW to 500 kW.
The Nebraska Public Power District offers two curtailable riders, including a demand bidding option, for customers with a curtailable load greater than 50 kW . Two alternatives for the basic interruptible/curtailable program are available based on duration of the curtailment period. A monthly credit is applied to the curtailable load under each option.
What distributed energy resource options are available to me?
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. The following program may be of interest to federal customers.
The Dollar and Energy Savings Loans program may be used to reduce the financing costs of renewables projects, though it has been utilized primarily for efficiency projects over its 15-year history (see below).
Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by the state government?
The Nebraska Energy Office offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency improvements, including lighting and controls, HVAC equipment, water heating, building envelope, and air distribution measures, through the Dollar and Energy Savings Loans program.
What additional opportunities are available to me?
Federal customers also have energy efficiency opportunities available with utilities (such as Aquila, MidAmerican Energy, and OPPD) that have area-wide contracts with GSA and, by extension, all other federal agencies. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of participation by their local utility.
NOTE: Energy efficiency funds and demand response programs are updated at least annually. Please contact the FEMP webmaster if changes are needed between updates.