Education
BS Nuclear Engineering, (Iowa State), MS Engineering, (The University of Tennessee), Photographic Master, (Montgomery College), MFA Writing (University of Nebraska - Omaha) in progress
Current Public Office, dates
N/A
Past Public Office, dates held
N/A
Military experience
N/A
Volunteer experience
University of Tennessee Nuclear Engineering Board of Advisors, Professional Photographers of Nebraska Board (Past President), Omaha Downtown Improvement District (past Activation Chair, current Vice-President)
It’s important to separate fact from fiction. The narrative from Governor Pillen is that the aging North Omaha Station coal plant provides some of the most “affordable and reliable electricity” in Nebraska. As an expert in power generation, I can tell you that coal plants, in general, are more expensive and less reliable than clean alternatives, such as utility-scale solar with batteries. In addition, traditional cost analysis doesn’t factor in the environmental and human health costs of burning coal, which is considerable. Finally, operating experience demonstrates that thermal plants are more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Therefore, the perception of a grand trade-off does not exist, because cleaner energy is now cheaper energy.
There are currently potential data centers evaluating Nebraska locations that plan to bring their own power. However, they also want to tie into the grid and possibly sell excess power—something that is not currently allowed under Nebraska law. Another possibility is to create a separate rate class for large load customers. One of my overarching concerns is that there is likely to be an “AI bubble” at some point in the future. When this happens, some of the added capacity and infrastructure required to support the data centers may become a stranded investment. As a board member, I will ensure that OPPD leverages risk management principles to mitigate the risk of this outcome so that our customer-owners do not have to absorb the costs.
There is no doubt that OPPD management has not been transparent, particularly with their recent decision to extend coal operations at the North Omaha Station. For many years, OPPD Board members rubber-stamped the recommendations of OPPD senior management. Many of the current OPPD Board members have good intentions but lack the experience and technical knowledge necessary to challenge OPPD senior management when they are not clearly communicating their ability to achieve critical milestones. I have the experience and technical knowledge to identify root causes of issues and delays, even when communication is unclear. In addition, as a board member, I would ensure that OPPD management’s compensation is tied to meeting critical milestones.
Education
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)
Current Public Office, dates
NA
Past Public Office, dates held
NA
Military experience
none
Volunteer experience
Omaha Sister Cities Assoc. Board Member 2026-present College of Saint Mary Spirit of Service Coordinator 2026-present Lincoln Marathon Coordinator for Athletes with Disabilities 2025-present Fulbright Association Board Member 2024-
Other Social Media
Instagram: Mark4OPPD
The first and most immediate job of the board is to keep the lights on, and the heat or A/C running. At peak times, there is the potential for this to conflict with climate goals based on aging and outdated infrastructure; correcting this is the long-term objective of my candidacy. That said, if we have to pay more to burn natural gas in the short term to make sure your refrigerator stays on and your food doesn't spoil, the principle that will guide my decision making will be "people first."
We need a special (read: higher) rate class for data centers and large power users. Decisions and actions we can take now, in the short term, include making sure that the actions of the C-suite at OPPD are transparent and communicated to all, that data centers are built only by those who acknowledge that the cheap land, power, water, and labor in Nebraska come at the expense of a higher rate class and an obligation to provide additional power in the form of renewables. Finally, we need to be ready to shut data centers down first, before we roll blackouts through residential neighborhoods. In all of this and more (running out of room) I believe that transparency is key, followed closely by follow-through on our commitments.
I don't plan to sign anyt NDA going into this office. Nothing we talk about in meetings--which are all public--is off limits for later communications, which need to be bolstered substantially. I'd like to start a newsletter or podcast to help reach as many people as possible. Some board members are holding town halls and I think this is another effective approach. Being accessible to my constituents is also of great importance to me and will help contribute to greater transparency.
Education
B.S. Secondary Education University of Nebraska-Omaha, M.S. Secondary Education University of Nebraska-Omaha,
Current Public Office, dates
NA
Past Public Office, dates held
NA
Military experience
NA
Volunteer experience
NA
Other Social Media
Instagram and X:@flintforoppd
X and/or Bluesky Handle
fharkness1.bsky.social
First and foremost, we should listen to the customer-owners. OPPD exists to serve them, and their priorities should guide our decisions. That said, I don’t believe reliability and affordability have to conflict with our climate goals. In conversations across the district, voters have strongly supported my campaign’s “moonshot” idea: making it possible for any homeowner who wants one to install rooftop solar paired with a backup battery. Expanding distributed energy would generate more local power, improve grid resilience during peak demand and extreme weather, and reduce strain on the system. In many cases, this approach can also be more cost-effective than building new transmission lines or power plants while making a cleaner grid.
Public power utilities should ensure large load customers pay their fair share by creating a new rate class that more accurately reflects how these facilities operate and the strain they place on infrastructure. As a condition of coming online, these customers should cover the bulk of the upfront costs for new energy production needed to serve them. One approach would be requiring them to offset their demand by funding distributed energy solutions like rooftop solar and battery storage on homes that want them. Requiring a one-to-one investment in new generation or distributed resources before connecting would help protect existing ratepayers while strengthening grid reliability and flexibility for the future.
Negotiations often need to occur in private to allow flexibility and ensure the utility can secure the best possible outcomes. However, the public is owed transparency. As a board member, I believe my reasoning and decision-making before and after those negotiations should always be available to the customer-owners I represent. Explaining the goals going into negotiations and the rationale behind the final decisions helps build trust while still allowing staff and the board to negotiate effectively. Transparency about the process and outcomes is one of the most basic ways we can remain accountable to the public we serve.
Education
12th Grade/IBEW Apprenticeship
Current Public Office, dates
Treasurer, Douglas County Democratic Party/2020-Present
Volunteer experience
Heartland Workforce Solutions: Youth Services Committee, Poverty Elimination Board, Construction Trades Sector Strategy Workgroup. IBEW Local 22: Women's Committee, Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, ReNew (Young Workers) Committee, Mentoring Com
I would rely on my industry experience to make sure OPPD has a solid, transparent plan in place to achieve climate goals while maintaining reliability and affordability. In the case of a conflict, I will work with stakeholders in the community and on the board to come up with a plan to address the issues and clearly communicate that to the community.
Our public power utility should create a rate category for large load customers that is reflective of their usage. OPPD should also develop a plan to partner with large load customers to share the cost of modernizing the grid and building new power generation projects.
I would be open to sharing any non-confidential information on major decisions with the public. In my experience with contract negotiations, our members are more engaged when they are more informed.
