Northwest Omaha OPPD board candidates split on rules for data centers as U.S. energy secretary visits Nebraska
Candidates Sara Kohen and Christian Mapes have differing views on how the Omaha Public Power District should regulate data center growth in northwest Omaha and Bennington. Kohen supports more information and potentially placing data centers in a separate electricity customer class, while Mapes emphasizes evaluating system costs and benefits.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Nebraska to promote data center development, arguing that communities should decide whether the projects benefit them. The visit comes as Nebraska communities consider limits or bans on data centers because of concerns about water use and electricity prices.
Sara Kohen and Christian Mapes, candidates for the Omaha Public Power District Board’s District One seat, agree that data centers are likely to remain part of the region’s growth but differ on regulation. Kohen wants additional information about power consumption and a separate customer class for data centers, while Mapes says regulators should assess how projects affect the electric system, who pays for upgrades and what benefits they provide. The district covers northwest Omaha and Bennington, and the election is scheduled for Nov. 3.