(KLZA)-- The City of Falls City has announced a formal partnership with Nebraska Rural Generation (NRG) to advance exploration efforts toward the potential development of a new power generation facility utilizing emerging technologies. The project, still in the early exploration phase, would not involve wind, solar, or coal technologies. The plant’s size, total investment, and final site location within Falls City’s electrical jurisdiction remain to be determined. 

This partnership represents a major step forward in Falls City’s long-term energy strategy, including expanded participation in regional markets through the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). This project will create significant new revenue streams for Falls City in both power generation sales and transmission income within the SPP footprint that stretches from North Dakota to Texas. 

Under the structure being evaluated, the City of Falls City would own the power plant with underlying land locally owned. The partnership also includes analysis of how private equity investment is deployed within Nebraska’s public power framework. 

On November 20th, the Falls City Board of Public Works (BPW) unanimously recommended the city pursue a Development Agreement with NRG. This agreement would guarantee that all exploration expenses incurred by the City during the evaluation phases are reimbursed by Nebraska Rural Generation. 

On December 1st , the City Council unanimously approved the BPW recommendation and passed a resolution authorizing a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with NRG. The CBA outlines a set of measurable commitments ensuring that any future development, construction, or operation of a power generation or industrial facility delivers meaningful long-term benefits to Falls City and Richardson County.

The City of Falls City and Nebraska Rural Generation will now proceed with detailed feasibility studies, engineering reviews, legal and regulatory assessments, and continued community engagement as they evaluate advancing the project to development.