Education
Creighton University, B.A., '79, M.B.A., '97, J.D., '82
Past Public Office, dates held
Papio-Missouri River NRD, director, 1989-1993.
Volunteer experience
St. Cecilia's basketball coach (boys and girls), St. Cecilia's baseball coach, Hillside Little League baseball coach
If elected, I will move to repeal OPPD's net zero policy. Solar and wind power are unreliable and expensive. I am strongly opposed to an "all of the above" strategy as more wind and solar just drives up rates. I'm strongly in favor of nuclear power and more natural gas power plants.
OPPD is a member of the Southwest Power Pool. The volume of wind and solar in the SPP grid is such that SPP is in danger of blackouts in the near future. The federal government has told the OPPD Board this fact, but the current Board ignores this and continues with its net zero policy.
There should be a new rate class for data centers. In fact, I said so recently at an OPPD Board meeting. All appropriate costs for that rate class should be apportioned into that new rate class.
The OPPD Board sets policy and voters should rest assured that, if elected, I will not be a rubber stamp for management. I will be an active director. The current Board has been entirely focused on its failed and expensive net zero policy to the exclusion of other important issues. I told the Board that it needed to increase its tree trimming budget and it finally followed my recommendation after a bad storm.
For the sake of ratepayers, my highest priority is repealing OPPD's net zero policy. It is extremely foolish and expensive. As I have told the Board many times, one need only look at the high electricity rates in California and Europe to realize that net zero is a giant policy mistake.
Education
Metropolitan Community College
Current Public Office, dates
Elected in 2016 to serve District 3 in the Nebraska Legislature. Re-elected in 2020.
Past Public Office, dates held
Elected as the At-Large Representative on the Bellevue City Council in 2008. Re-elected in 2012.
Military experience
NA
Volunteer experience
Bellevue Farmers Market, Bellevue Public Safety Foundation, Sarpy County Museum, Military Families Support, Veteran's Support, Foodbanks, decades of volunteerism to my community.
Other Social Media
Instagram
X and/or Bluesky Handle
@senatorblood
Decisions should start from the principle that reliability and affordability are non‑negotiable public‑safety obligations, and climate goals must be pursued in ways that strengthen, not weaken, those obligations. When these priorities appear to conflict, especially during peak demand or extreme weather, the utility should default to actions that protect life, critical infrastructure, and economic stability.
This doesn’t mean abandoning climate goals; it means sequencing them responsibly.
As a public power utility, OPPD must protect its community from subsidizing private, high‑load growth. Large customers should cover the full cost of the infrastructure they trigger through cost‑causation rates, upfront capital contributions, and long‑term contracts that shield public ratepayers from stranded assets. Texas now has data centers building their own power plants, proving self‑supply is viable. Nebraska should study this model to avoid overbuilding, preserve flexibility, and keep future ratepayers free from costly commitments.
With 8 years in local office, 8 years in the Legislature, and 20 years as a business consultant, I’ve learned transparency and effective negotiation aren’t opposites, they’re obligations. As a public power utility, OPPD should disclose goals, assumptions, and impacts of major contracts or investments while protecting sensitive details until deals are final. Clear public frameworks, open data, and post‑decision reporting keep trust intact while giving staff the room they need to negotiate responsibly.
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Education
Bachelors Degree in Music, University of Wyoming; Masters Degree in Counseling, University of Nebraska-Omaha; on-the-job training as member of the Board of Directors of OPPD, 2021- present.
Current Public Office, dates
Board of Directors, Omaha Public Power District, 2021-2026
Past Public Office, dates held
None
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Board of Directors, Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership; Volunteer, Omaha Together One Community
Principles: The primary portion of OPPD’s mission is to provide reliable electricity. Achieving that mission is never more important than during times of extreme weather. Peak demand frequently, if not always, coincides with those periods, be it extreme heat or extreme cold. The affordability principle is always important. It is the primary advantage of public ownership of the utility. Profits return to the company, strengthening the utility and supporting lower rates. Climate goals, requiring the use of renewable generation sources: wind, solar and hydro contribute to affordability, because the source demands no payment. The reliability and affordability principles are enshrined in state law. OPPD does not make law. It follows the law.
OPPD currently responds to extremely large load requests with a process designed to screen the serious, well-planned, well-financed, community-supported requests for electrical service from requests that are merely speculative. Legal contracts, describing who is responsible for what expenses, the timeline, and what OPPD expects in return for service are essential in guarding the interests of OPPD and its customer-owners. OPPD staff and legal advisors are quick learners and have been utility leaders in crafting contracts that are protective of OPPD and the public power model. Future changes in state law may enshrine further protections.
This question seems to assume that the board and the staff have competing endpoint objectives. OPPD staff leadership is obliged to follow the law and provide reliable, affordable, and according to board governance documents, environmentally sensitive electricity. Members of the Board of Directors are also required to follow the law. There can be disagreement in regard to how the objective is best achieved, but the goal is the same.
OPPD has regular public meetings. Attend, virtually or in person, two meetings: the All Committees meeting, on a Tuesday at 10 AM, and the Board meeting the following Thursday at 5 PM. To be better informed about current issues and projects, and to contribute your thoughts, go to OPPDCommunityConnect.com .
