Omaha approves power extension for Papillion Creek wastewater expansion

Omaha approves power extension for Papillion Creek wastewater expansionThe City Council greenlit a new substation agreement with the Omaha Public Power District to support the PCWRRF secondary expansion, though a separate sewer reimbursement agreement was delayed due to missing documents.

The council approved a line extension agreement with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) for a new substation and power feeds dedicated to the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility (PCWRRF).

Public Works representative Bob Stube confirmed the new substation is specifically required for ongoing improvements at the wastewater facility.

A separate ordinance to reimburse developer New Style for completed sewer and utility work at the 8th and Douglas site was deferred for one week after a four-page agreement document was mistakenly omitted from the council packet.

The Omaha City Council has advanced critical power infrastructure required for the secondary expansion of the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility (PCWRRF). During its June 2, 2026 meeting, the council approved a line extension agreement with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to provide a new substation and dedicated power feeds for the wastewater facility. Responding to public questions about whether the new substation would serve external data centers or residential electric vehicle charging, Public Works representative Bob Stube clarified that the infrastructure is strictly tied to the municipal utility. "This is specifically related to the Papillion Creek Water Utility," Stube stated, noting that the ongoing improvements at the facility necessitate the additional power capacity. The council approved the OPPD agreement in a 5-0 vote, with the council president abstaining. In separate water infrastructure business, the council deferred action on a redevelopment reimbursement agreement for sewer work completed at the 8th and Douglas site. Jennifer Taylor of the City Law Department explained that significant utility and new sewer installations have already been completed by the developer, New Style, to prepare the site for development. "The city has benefited from that work and we simply want to reimburse New Style for those efforts," Taylor noted. However, because a crucial four-page document outlining the reimbursement terms was inadvertently omitted from the original council packet, the council voted to lay the item over for one week to allow members time to review the complete agreement.