Standing Bear Lake Station

OPPD and its contractors are making great progress on the construction of Standing Bear Lake Station. On October 22nd, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., workers will conduct a series of “air blows” to clear dust and debris out of air compressors and associated piping. This is necessary for safe and efficient plant startup. Think of it like blowing out water in your sprinkler system to get it ready for the winter.

This work does create a high frequency, loud noise. Since it will occur within plant walls, we expect that most of that sound will be muffled. However, it’s possible neighbors could hear some noise with each of six air blows, lasting about 15-seconds at a time. This work will be done within one day to minimize any inconvenience to the surrounding area. We appreciate our customers’ patience as we continue to work to ensure we have the resources needed to support our growing and thriving communities.

Deliveries of commodities needed for Standing Bear Lake Station continue as construction moves closer to the end and towards an operational site. Please be aware of extra truck traffic entering and exiting along Military Road at the site entrance. Please note, this is a change as previously deliveries entered along 120th Street.

As we prepare the pipes and lines for use, air compressors are used to send a pressurized air blow through the system to clean it out. Most of the larger pipes have already been cleaned through pulsed air blows. Smaller lines will be blown out using continuous air blows to clean and dry the inside of the piping. This work continues through August but is not expected to be as loud and will be continuous, rather than pulsed, if heard or felt.

The week of July 1 through July 8, weather permitting: Landscaping crews will be accessing the treelined area between the Rambleridge neighborhood and the Standing Bear Lake Station facility from Rambleridge Road. Neighbors may see a few trucks and equipment entering the area to plant some additional trees between the neighborhood and the facility.

Update: This work is complete. Metropolitan Utilities District crews are scheduled Wednesday, June 12, to simultaneously conduct purging of gas near 117th & Fort St. and 117th & Military Rd. This work is being done in coordination with Omaha Public Power District’s Standing Bear Lake Station. Purging is part of the process that involves venting air from a pipeline and replacing it with natural gas. The purging is expected to run during the morning.

During this time, those living or working near the purge area may notice loud noises and dust. Additionally, you may notice a strong smell of gas in the area. For easy detection, a chemical (mercaptan) is added to give gas a distinctive odor like a skunk or rotten eggs. The gas odor may persist depending on wind or other environmental conditions. If you smell gas, leave the building or area, and then call 402.554.7777 or 911.

M.U.D. responds to all notifications of natural gas odors. M.U.D. will check suspected gas leaks at no charge. For more natural gas safety information, visit https://www.mudomaha.com/news/natural-gas-safety/.

With site progress at about 90%, construction activities are ramping up ahead of commissioning as the generation facility is scheduled to go online later this year. As the crews work diligently to meet this deadline, limited shifts will continue into the night at times as we approach operation. Night shifts are expected to have smaller crews and will adhere to all permits and ordinances necessary.

Standing Bear Lake Station Aerial View January 2024 (facing east)

Standing Bear Lake’s substation was completed and energized in December, and transmission work for the plant is complete.

This month, Wärtsilä, the manufacturer of Standing Bear Lake Station’s reciprocating internal combustion engines, continues the second phase of engine assembly. The focus at Standing Bear Lake in the coming months is finishing major electrical work in the site’s engine hall, five power distribution centers and supporting facilities.

The lighting and paving work is also underway, along with beautification and other cosmetic work. Also coming in 2024 will be site landscaping work.

Standing Bear Lake Station is set to come online this summer, for more highlights of recent progress, please see this story in The Wire.

There will be an uptick in transmission construction activity near Standing Bear Lake Station through September.

Towards the end of August and into September, OPPD’s partner contractor, Brink Constructors, will be accessing the M.U.D. campus with various trucks and tractor trailers by way of Hartman Avenue and Rambleridge Road to deliver poles and other structure materials to the site.

Additional activity will be seen along Military Road and on M.U.D.’s campus as Brink Constructors begins erecting the transmission lines that will connect the new Standing Bear Lake Station to the electric grid. While there will be increased truck traffic, and the occasional, short duration lane blockage, the bulk of the construction will happen off the roadway and should not negatively impact traffic in the area.

Also near Military Road, portions of the site’s north entrance off Military Road will be paved. Increased truck traffic and construction workers may be present for this construction during the last week of August through mid-September.

Please use precaution while activities are in progress on Military Road. As always, please do not follow trucks in to work zones and make sure you look out for any traffic signage in the area.

Above ground construction at Standing Bear Lake Station is well underway. All Wartsila engines and generators have been moved into the Engine Hall. The exhaust ducts and stacks are being constructed and installed. Additionally, the substation is nearing the final stages of construction.

Facing South, Aerial View, June 2023

A lot of construction progress has been happening on site the last few months as seen in this aerial photo.

In mid-May, the nine Wartsila engines and generators (seen in blue) will be moved to the new engine hall.

Foundations for the transmission lines have been set along Military Road. Transmission work will be completed this fall in coordination with the energization of the substation onsite.

Facing South – Substation and Generation Construction Progress as of April 2023

Construction progresses during the winter months with erection of the engine hall in the power block area and with erection of vertical bus supports in the substation area at Standing Bear Lake Station.

The large temporary tent structure at the north of the site has been removed following assembly of the nine Wärtsilä engines. The associated generators have also been received. All three Generator Step-up Transformers (GSU) have been transported to the Standing Bear Lake Station site and are on their foundations.

Facing South – Substation and Generation Construction Progress