Keeping Lincoln Powered: An Overview of Les Lincoln

When you flip on a light switch or plug in an appliance in Lincoln, Nebraska, the energy powering your home likely comes from Les Lincoln As the city’s public power utility, Les Lincoln supplies electricity to residences and businesses across the greater Lincoln area Read on to learn more about this key community provider and how they keep Lincoln running.

About Les Lincoln

Les Lincoln, or Lincoln Electric System, has been serving the city of Lincoln for over 55 years. They are a public power utility, meaning they are owned by the community rather than private shareholders. Les Lincoln provides electricity to over 90,000 metered accounts in Lincoln. This includes homes, businesses, government properties, and more.

As a public power system Les Lincoln is governed by an Administrative Board made up of representatives from across Lincoln. These board members are citizens of the community not utility insiders. This helps ensure the utility operates in the best interest of its customers.

Les Lincoln generates a portion of their own electricity at local facilities. They also purchase wholesale power and transmit it via their distribution system of lines and substations. Maintaining reliability and stability on this local grid is a key focus for Les Lincoln.

Providing Reliable Power

Les Lincoln recognizes consistent electricity is critical for households and businesses alike. Power disruptions can impact lives and operations. That’s why the utility strives to provide reliable service that customers can depend on.

Various initiatives help Les Lincoln maintain a resilience grid, including:

• Proactive equipment maintenance and replacement programs
• Infrastructure upgrades to nodes and circuits
• Vegetation management around power lines
• Staff training and development

During severe storms or other grid disturbances, Les Lincoln aims to restore power safely and quickly. Outage alerts keep customers informed if interruptions occur. Service reliability is consistently well above industry averages each year.

Focusing on Affordability

In addition to reliable power, Les Lincoln works to supply electricity at affordable rates. As a community-owned, not-for-profit utility, providing low-cost energy is a priority.

Several factors contribute to Les Lincoln’s affordable pricing:

• Local, non-profit operation
• Use of debt financing and cash reserves
• Mix of owned generation and wholesale power purchases
• Energy efficiency incentives to help customers save

Rates are set based on the true cost of service, without shareholder profit margins. And budgets undergo a public input process before approval each year.

Embracing Sustainability

Les Lincoln also maintains a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Their energy mix includes renewable sources such as wind and solar. Local solar initiatives even allow Lincoln residents to participate.

Efficiency incentives offered by Les Lincoln provide customers with financial resources to make upgrades that conserve energy. From LED lighting to high-efficiency HVAC systems, customers have options to save power.

Les Lincoln was a founding member of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. Together with other utilities, this joint action agency supplies carbon-free electricity to the city.

Serving the Local Community

As a public power system, Les Lincoln’s ties to Lincoln run deep. Not only do they provide electricity service, but they aim to be an active community partner.

Some of the ways Les Lincoln supports Lincoln include:

• Funding local charities and events through the LES Power of Giving program
• Offering safety demonstrations and providing resources for students
• Sponsoring classroom education programs on energy and sustainability
• Partnering with the City on economic development initiatives
• Providing job opportunities at their Lincoln facilities

The utility also offers payment assistance, budget billing, and other services to help local households manage their electricity needs.

What Sets Les Lincoln Apart

When it comes to reliable electricity, affordability, sustainability, and community support, Les Lincoln delivers tremendous value. What really sets them apart is their passion for the city they serve.

As a public power system, the utility’s purpose is providing low-cost, reliable electricity that powers Lincoln each day. They don’t aim to make profits for distant shareholders. Instead, they focus on the people and businesses of Lincoln.

The utility’s decisions and operations all center around benefiting their hometown. That local orientation makes Les Lincoln a true community partner for the city.

Keeping Lincoln Energized

Les Lincoln’s indispensable role will only grow as Lincoln’s energy needs evolve. The utility is prepared to support increased electric vehicle adoption, integrate more renewables, and keep pace with Lincoln’s growth.

So next time you enjoy the convenience of flipping a switch, remember the crews at Les Lincoln who make powering your life look easy. They’ll continue lighting the way and energizing Lincoln for decades to come.