After years of delays and setbacks, the public power district serving eastern Nebraska has faced criticism for its handling of the phase-out of coal at its North Omaha plant. The initial plan to retire three of the plant’s coal units in 2016 and convert the final two to natural gas by 2023 has been marred by delays, leaving the aging coal units operational as power demand continues to rise.
In late 2025, as the utility’s management recommended delaying the retirement of the remaining coal units, a human health risk assessment commissioned by the utility claimed that the plant posed no significant negative impact on the health of people in the vicinity. However, experts who reviewed the study found that the assessment focused only on a specific type of air pollution and did not encompass all potential health impacts.
The mischaracterization of the health assessment’s findings by utility management and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen sparked criticism from community members, experts, and some board members. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, representing North Omaha, expressed disappointment in the assessment, stating that it failed to address historical impacts and the disproportionate health issues faced by the minority community in which the plant is situated.
Following the backlash, OPPD board member Craig Moody announced plans to collaborate with the Douglas County Health Department to investigate environmental health impacts on North Omaha residents. Despite management’s decision to delay the retirement of the coal units, at least two board members, including Moody, were not convinced by the health study’s findings.
North Omaha residents, a majority of whom are people of color, have long been exposed to pollution due to their proximity to a major highway, the city’s airport, and a Superfund site. The community suffers from higher rates of asthma, COPD, heart disease, and stroke, making the continued burning of coal a concerning issue for public health officials.
Despite facing challenges with supply chain issues, construction delays, and regulatory hurdles, OPPD has set a new target of 2026 to stop burning coal at the North Omaha plant. The utility’s struggle to transition away from coal underscores the complexities and obstacles involved in shifting to cleaner energy sources while ensuring the reliability of electricity supply. OPPD’s decision to hire the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct a human health and environmental risk assessment at the North Omaha Station has sparked controversy and criticism. The utility management hired EPRI in August to assess the operations of two coal units at the station, but questions have arisen about the objectivity of the assessment.
EPRI, a nonprofit organization funded by energy and government sector organizations, has a board of directors that includes utility industry executives, raising concerns about potential biases in their research. OPPD paid over $431,000 in membership dues to EPRI in 2024, and the exact amount paid for the health assessment remains undisclosed.
Critics, including Jonathan Kim from the Energy and Policy Institute, have raised concerns about EPRI potentially telling utilities what they want to hear in their research inquiries. However, EPRI spokesperson Rachel Gantz maintains that the organization is “rigorously objective” and does not advocate for any specific company, sector, or technology.
OPPD defended their choice of EPRI, citing the organization’s proven track record in research and assessments. CEO Fernandez emphasized that the report was crucial in addressing residents’ concerns about health impacts from the North Omaha plant.
Upon the release of the report in November, it faced immediate scrutiny from public health and utility experts. While the study focused on air toxics and found risks below EPA thresholds, experts criticized its narrow scope and failure to examine other forms of pollution like wastewater discharge and coal ash generation.
Public comments and meetings highlighted community dissatisfaction with the report and the decision to keep the coal units operational. Critics expressed frustration with OPPD’s perceived lack of action and strategic delays in addressing health concerns in the North Omaha community.
Despite the findings of the EPRI assessment, concerns remain about the broader environmental impacts of the coal units. Experts have called for a more comprehensive evaluation of all forms of pollution from the plant to ensure the health and well-being of the community. Experts have raised concerns about a recent study conducted by OPPD, which they claim did not thoroughly examine all criteria air pollutants emitted by the plant. While OPPD stated that the region meets federal standards for these pollutants, critics argue that this does not necessarily mean there are no health impacts.
Corwin Zigler, a professor of biostatistics at Brown University School of Public Health, and Lucas Henneman, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at George Mason University, emphasized the importance of considering existing scientific research linking coal plants to various health issues such as asthma, early death, and low birthweight. They pointed out that the study failed to assess fine particulate matter, a known driver of negative health impacts, beyond confirming compliance with EPA thresholds. Additionally, Omaha’s ozone levels have been teetering on the edge of EPA compliance, raising concerns that the city could fall out of compliance if national standards tighten.
OPPD acknowledged that criteria air pollutants can originate from multiple sources, including cars, airport activities, wildfires, and industrial operations. They also highlighted that emissions from the North Omaha Station have decreased by 40% since 2013. Despite this progress, the plant continues to rely on coal, much to the dismay of residents and some OPPD board members.
During a recent board meeting, there was palpable frustration and disappointment among attendees, including board member Moody, who expressed solidarity with the community’s concerns. Despite the backlash, OPPD reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, until then, the North Omaha plant will persist in its coal-based operations, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the plant’s environmental impact and potential health risks.
