Electric Department/Power Plant
City of Crete
Departments of Public Works
Electric Department
Power Plant
City Hall: 243 East 13th Street
Public Works Shop: 320 West 9th Street
Power Plant: 1440 Linden Ave.
Public Works: 402.826.4312
Public Works Directory
To report power outages or problems with electrical service, please call the Public Works Department.
The City of Crete Departments of Public Works Electric System retails electricity within the corporate limits. The city owns a generating plant capable of generating 15.6 MW and the distribution system consists of three substations. Two substations handle the City load. A 22 MVA substation with three transformers is centrally located and the second 10 MVA is located in the northeast part of town. The third, an 11.5 MVA, is reserved for industrial customers. The City also has a looped subtransmission system at 34.5 kV near the industrial site. Additional sources of electricity are Western Area Power Association (WAPA) and Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN).
The Electric Department consists of a staff of an Electric Line Superintendent, Foreman and four Line Technicians. The Department has over 75 combined years of experience in working with the Crete Electric System.
Electrical Service:
- City Master Fee Schedule includes rates and fees for city electrical, water, and sewer service for residential, commercial, or industrial customers. View the Master Fee Schedule
- A service deposit is required on all addresses; transferable if the resident moves to a new address within City service
- More information on Utility Billing and Payments...
For further clarification regarding rates and services, customers should contact Tom Ourada, City Administrator at City Hall, 402.826.4312.
Municipal Power Plant
In April 1928 the Crete Power Plant at the current location went into operation. Initially two diesel generating engines were installed, 360 and 240 horsepower. At one point there were 7 engines available for service; the Plant was capable of generating 15.6 MW.
In 2013 and 2014, due to changing regulations and electrical markets, Engines 1-6 were decommissioned and removed from service.
Crete’s Power Plant has a high-tech System Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system. This system identifies any interruption in service and where that problem is located. In the event of a city power outage, the power plant has the ability to restore electricity to parts of the community in one hour or less.
Energy Efficiency Programs
The City of Crete Department of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is continuing to provide five energy efficiency programs to assist in lowering energy costs for local utility customers through energy efficiency improvements. The programs offer cash incentives to make energy efficient upgrades in the areas of insulation, cooling systems, home thermostats and commercial lighting. The programs are available through March 31, 2021 or while program funds last. Here is a rundown of the four programs:
- Smart Thermostat Program
- Attic Insulation Program
- Cooling System Tune-Up Program
- Commercial LED Lighting Program
- High Efficiency Heat Pump Program
Find more information and application materials.
