Nebraska did not have a rate change on October 1, 2026. Its utilities are publicly owned and set rates once a year, with changes in January. The next round of decisions comes in November and December.
This article covers Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Lincoln Electric System (LES) and the many municipal utilities and rural districts are not covered in detail.
Quick Summary
| Utility | 2026 change | Residential impact | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPPD | 6.3% average, 6% residential | About $7 a month on a $115 bill | January 2026 |
| NPPD (retail) | 3% | A little over $5 a month at about 1,000 kWh | 2026 |
| NPPD (wholesale) | 1% | Passed to local utilities | 2026 |
OPPD
OPPD’s board approved a 2026 plan with a 6.3% average increase, made up of a 5.8% general rate increase and a 0.5% fuel and purchased power adjustment.
- Residential: 6% on average.
- Commercial: 3.7%. Industrial: 8.9%.
OPPD says its rates were 30.2% below the national average in 2024. It plans 900 megawatts of new natural gas generation and 400 miles of transmission lines over the next decade. In November 2025, an Omaha TV station reported OPPD was considering annual increases of 5% to 9% through the end of the decade.
NPPD
NPPD’s board approved a 3% retail increase and a 1% wholesale increase for 2026, citing inflation, supply chain problems and operating costs. NPPD sells wholesale power to many local utilities, so the wholesale change reaches customers through their own utility’s rates. NPPD also approved about $30.8 million in production cost adjustment credits for wholesale customers.
Lincoln Electric System
LES published new rate schedules effective January 1, 2026. We did not review the amounts.
What This Means for Homeowners With Solar
We did not verify Nebraska’s current net metering or export credit rules for this article, so we give no export rates here. Ask your utility for its current solar tariff, and check how exported energy is credited before sizing a system. Fixed monthly charges are not reduced by solar.
Because each Nebraska utility writes its own rules, terms can differ from one town to the next. Our solar payback guide shows how the retail rate and the export credit change the math.
What to Check on Your Bill
- The fixed monthly service charge.
- The energy charge per kWh.
- Your utility’s notice of 2027 rates, usually published late in the year.
For help sorting the lines on your bill, see our guide to reading your electric bill.
Limitations
OPPD figures come from OPPD’s own news site and NPPD figures from a TV report. We did not review tariffs, LES rates or any 2027 proposals.
Sources
- OPPD The Wire, “OPPD board approves 2026 Corporate Operating Plan”
- KNOP, “Nebraska Public Power District approves 2026 rate increases,” Nov. 19, 2025
- WOWT, “OPPD considering 5-9% annual rate increases through end of decade,” Nov. 18, 2025
- Lincoln Electric System, 2026 rate schedules
Frequently asked questions
Did Nebraska electric rates change on October 1, 2026?
We found no change on that date. OPPD and NPPD set rates by calendar year, and their 2026 increases began in January.
How much did OPPD rates go up in 2026?
An average of 6.3% across all customers and 6% for residential customers, about $7 a month on a $115 bill, effective January 2026.
Who regulates electric rates in Nebraska?
Each public power district, municipal utility or cooperative sets its own rates through its elected or appointed board. There is no state commission rate case for electricity.
