The Nebraska Power Review Board has rejected the proposed merger of 2 major public power districts in central Nebraska on technical grounds.
Board approval is needed for the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power to merge, but the panel ruled Monday that it couldn’t because of an issue in their charter documents.
The two districts issued a statement immediately after the ruling saying they plan to update the charter language and reapply to create the Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District.
      Dawson is one of the largest rural electrical distributors in the state, but has no production facilities. Central operates the Kingsley Dam and Hydroplant at Lake McConaughey with a couple smaller generating sites on its canal system.
Central is also one of the largest irrigation districts in Nebraska with all its canals and lines south of the Platte and downstream from Lake McConaughey.
The proposed merger has triggered multiple legal challenges by a group of irrigators served by Central. They argue the deal is lopsided toward Dawson, but they also say a merger will dilute their strength on the Central board.