OPPD report to board shares how utility continues to put customers first through a variety of assistance programs

At this week’s all-committees meeting of the OPPD Board of Directors, the utility shared its Customer Payment and Affordability Trends report.

“We greatly care for our customers. They are at the core of all we do,” said Vice President of Customer Service Tim McAreavey. “Electricity is such a vital service. Our customers cannot afford to go without it. We want to make sure that we’re continuing to do all that we can to make it easier for them to pay their bills and also to work through any financial challenges they may be facing.”

McAreavey and other utility leaders shared the utility’s continued work to create flexible bill payment options through several platforms. OPPD launched online enrollment for level payment plans, providing a steady bill amount averaged over the course of the year so customers know what to expect from month to month, as well as a program to allow for installment payments for customers who have fallen behind on their bills.

The utility also shared information on its Customer Assistance Program pilot, one of the proactive ways in which OPPD is working to help low-income customers manage bills. “As we transition toward the end of that pilot, we will evaluate and determine its impact and the long-term sustainability of that program,” said Britton Gabel, manager of Advocacy Solutions for OPPD.

“OPPD continues to step up its efforts to raise money for energy assistance to help as many customers as possible,” Gabel said. “We know that it’s needed.”

By raising awareness of how customers can donate to OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP), the utility has seen a 19% increase in recurring donations via bill payments. Our largest fundraiser of the year for energy assistance – the Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth held with Metropolitan Utilities District on March 2 – broke records for participation and money raised. Through registration fees for 1,055 runners and walkers, sponsorships and other donations, each utility’s assistance program will receive more than $81,000, which will help 535 households in need.

“Our customer service team is doing some incredible work and remains committed to monitoring accounts and connecting customers with financial assistance and resources,” said Donna Miner, manager of Customer Operations for OPPD.

In addition to offering a variety of bill-payment solutions and proactively working with low-income customers to help them stay current on their bills, the utility continues to focus on helping customers reduce their energy usage for long-term bill savings.

“We want to be there for them when they need us. Their challenges are our challenges,” Miner said.

Other action

At tonight’s monthly board meeting, directors: 

• Approved the February 2024 meeting minutes and the March 21, 2024, agenda.
• Approved restatements of the OPPD 401(k) and 457 retirement savings plan documents, incorporating several revisions to such areas as contribution eligibility, required minimum distributions, emergency distribution provisions, withdrawal allowances, cash-outs, and more, to comply with the SECURE 2.0 Act and ensure operational accuracy.
• Accepted the annual monitoring report for Strategic Directive (SD) 1: Strategic Foundation. Acceptance means the board finds the utility to be sufficiently in compliance with the directive.
• Approved policy revisions to SD-12: Information Management and Security Policy. A red-line version of the proposed changes was posted at OPPDCommunityConnect.com, where the public had an opportunity this past month to review and provide comments ahead of today’s board vote.
• Approved an increase in the district’s total lines of credit by up to $200 million, for a total of up to $650 million. The increase, supported by OPPD’s financial advisor, will provide additional liquidity in line with a strong “AA” rated utility, as well as provide a short-term funding option for capital projects.
• Approved the engineer’s certification and authorization for OPPD management to negotiate and enter into a contract(s) with Siemens Energy for an operating plant service agreement(s) for inspection, repair, and procurement of parts for Sarpy County Station Unit 3, Cass County Station Units 1-5, and Turtle Creek Station Units 1-3, subject to review and approval of the final documents by the district’s general counsel.
• Authorized OPPD management to reject all bids received for the purchase of 15-kilovolt metal clad switchgear cubicles and switchgear enclosure and, instead, allow OPPD management to enter into and award a negotiated contract, subject to review and approval by the district’s general counsel.
• Received the monthly President’s Report, available to view at OPPD.com/BoardMeeting.

Next board meetings

The next all-committees meeting will be held Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. at Blue Cross Blue Shield, 1919 Aksarben Dr. in Omaha. Due to limited space, the public is invited to join virtually, via Webex. The meeting link and instructions will be available at OPPD.com/CommitteeAgenda, beginning about 9:45 a.m., depending on the duration of a preceding closed-session meeting, if needed. 

The next monthly board meeting is Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m., both in-person at the Legislative Chamber of the Omaha Civic Center, 1819 Farnam St. in Omaha, as well as virtually via Webex. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually will be able to access the meeting link and instructions at OPPD.com/BoardAgenda, beginning at 4:45 p.m.