OMAHA- In a position that stands in contrast to the Nebraska Legislature, the Omaha Public Power District board is proposing to acknowledge humans' role in climate change.

The board is considering the following proposed strategic directive: “The OPPD Board of Directors recognizes the scientific consensus that climate change is occurring and that greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, from human activity contribute to climate change impacts.”

In the previous legislative session, the Legislature rejected a state climate plan with many opponents calling climate change a hoax. Eric Williams, who leads the board committee that drafted the proposal said he hopes other power entities follow suit.

Mike Cavanaugh, the board's longest serving member said he will vote against the statement in its current form. Williams said the proposal is simply a statement to show people why OPPD is moving to decarbonize its footprint. OPPD set a zero carbon emissions goal for 2050 a few years ago. Lincoln Electric System has committed to a 100% net reduction in carbon emissions by 2040.

The electric power sector is responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Recent issues caused by severe weather for OPPD have been the February freeze of this year and the flooding from the past few years.

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