Loup Power District

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The Loup River Public Power District (The District) is a public power electric utility serving a four county area in the state of Nebraska. We have hydro generation along with transmission and distribution services. Our headquarters are located in Columbus, Nebraska, with other offices in communities throughout the District’s service territory. Loup River Public Power District was the first public power district created in the state in 1933 following the passage of the Enabling Act by the Nebraska Legislature. The hydro generation project was approved for Public Works Administration funds later that year. Following the completion of this generation system, we evolved into our current form as we added transmission and distribution services for our customers in our existing service territory. We continue to focus on maximizing the use of the water from the Loup River and providing low cost electric services to our customers.

Our Mission

1. To provide reliable electric services at rates that are fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory and to bring to our customers the rewards of an efficient and prudent business operation.
2. To improve and promote the economic and industrial development of the area.
3. To maximize the use of water from the Loup River to generate power.

Our Board of Directors

The District is a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska that is governed by a ten member publicly elected Board of Directors serving staggered terms of six years each. The Board of Directors meets monthly at the General Office building in Columbus, Nebraska. All corporate powers are vested in and exercised by the Board. They are assisted by a professional management team which conducts the day-to-day operations of the District.

Payments to County and Municipal Governments

The District is a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska that makes contributions to its local economies through 5% gross revenue taxes and 10% lease payments. In 2012 the District paid over $5,800,000 to cities and counties in our service territory.

Loup River Public Power District

While reading a newspaper article about federal monies that could be lent to self-liquidating projects Phil Hockenberger, a Columbus businessman involved in real estate, insurance and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce became inspired. Hockenberger, who had a degree in engineering, was familiar with the abandoned Nebraska Power Company Canal because his father had served as secretary and had owned stock in Babcock's dream. The timing seemed right to revisit that plan.

After discussing the plan with his friend, Harold Kramer, who had just sold his father's coal business and who was looking for work, the duo presented the plan to 36 Columbus businessmen at the Thurston Hotel. Although only 6 of those men had any recollection of the Babcock plan, they were excited. This could help reverse the effects of the Depression and develop a source of economical electric power at the same time.

The Loup River Power Canal Committee was formed and C.B. Fricke was elected chairman. These three men became vital to the creation of the Loup River Public Power District.

Later in life, Hockenberger described the trio in this way:

'To get anything done, you need a thinker, a doer, and a seller. I was the thinker; Kramer the doer; and Fricke the seller. What one of us lacked in vision or ability, one or both of the others made up for it. I couldn't have asked for a better team.'

• Development Time Line
• Loup Project Summary
• Construction Photos
• Franklin D. Roosevelt

You can also learn more about Loup Power District at the Platte County Museum

Hydroelectric System

Construction of the canal system began August 21, 1934 with the first generation of electricity occurring on March 5, 1937. The hydroelectric system begins five miles southwest of Genoa along Highway 22 at the Headworks diversion structure. Water from the Loup River is diverted into the District’s man-made canal which flows through the Monroe facility. The water continues it’s eastwardly flow until it reaches the two 1,100 acre regulating reservoirs north of Columbus known as Lake Babcock and Lake North. These reservoirs provide storage for generation at the Columbus Powerhouse and recreation for the public. After generating power, the water re-enters the canal, known as the Tailrace section and flows south into the Platte River. The Columbus Powerhouse, one of the largest water-powered generating plants in Nebraska, has three turbo-generators with a total nameplate rating of 45,600 kilowatts. The Monroe Powerhouse has three turbo-generators with a total nameplate rating of 7,800 kilowatts. These powerhouses operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These two facilities generate in excess of 150.0 million kilowatt hours annually.