News

// LES to send crews for storm relief after Hurricane Idalia

LINCOLN — Lincoln Electric System is deploying staff and vehicles to help utilities in Florida with anticipated power restoration efforts due to Hurricane Idalia.

Two crews comprised of 10 LES employees are headed to Tallahassee, Florida, as Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall Aug. 30. In preparation, utilities in the path are prestaging restoration workers and equipment and coordinating response efforts with their state and local officials. 

"Storms like Hurricane Idalia can cause damage...

// LES announces $24.3M payment to local governments

LINCOLN — Today, the Lincoln Electric System announced it will pay $24.3 million to local governments in 2023 through its annual payment in lieu of tax and city dividend for utility ownership. As a benefit of community-owned public power, LES distributed $12.7 million in PILOT to Lincoln Public Schools, Lancaster County and the cities of Lincoln and Waverly in April. 

Required by the city charter, the PILOT represents 5% of the previous calendar year’s retail...

// LES CEO Kevin Wailes announces retirement

LINCOLN – Lincoln Electric System CEO Kevin Wailes announced he will retire at the end of 2023. Wailes began working at LES in 2010 and was the third CEO in the organization’s 57-year history. During his tenure, Wailes led the utility through many challenges and opportunities, including safely navigating the pandemic and adopting a goal to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide production from its generation portfolio by 2040.

“This decision is never an easy one to...

// LES continues to rank high in affordability, reliability

LINCOLN — A nationwide study revealed that Lincoln Electric System’s rates continue to rank among the lowest in the country based on 2021 data. LES’ annual Competitive Market Study determined that the utility ranked 3rd best for the lowest residential all-in price and 16th best for the lowest average all-in price among 87 cities surveyed nationwide when including all retail sectors, said Joe Cocklin, manager, LES Rates & Analytics. The study is a comprehensive report...

// Funds available through LES’ Sustainable Energy Program in 2023

LINCOLN — Lincoln Electric System’s Sustainable Energy Program announces incentives of $1.5 million available for 2023. Since 2009, LES’ Sustainable Energy Program, or SEP, has offered financial incentives for LES residential, commercial and industrial customers to promote energy efficiency, reduce wasted energy and provide customers with options to take a more active role in helping manage electricity demand for the entire service area. Incentive funds are available to customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Helping...

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Notices
Environmental Protection Agency approval for <50 PPM PCB remediation waste disposal

American Public Power Association member utilities, including Lincoln Electric System, received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency in September 2017 to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyl remediation waste generated at secure utility assets with as-found PCB concentrations less than 50 parts per million pursuant to 40 CFR 761.61(c). Links below have disposal location information.

The approval allows the disposal of PCB remediation waste with as-found concentrations of <50 ppm PCBs in non-TSCA approved landfill facilities, including municipal solid waste landfills as defined by Condition 9 of the approval as stated:

"Under these Approvals, PCB Remediation Wastes with as-found concentrations of <50 ppm PCB may be disposed of in any of the following facilities subject to state and local regulations regarding such disposal:

  1. Facilities permitted, licensed, or registered by a state to manage municipal solid waste subject to 40 CFR Part 258
  2. Facilities permitted, licensed, or registered by a state to manage non-municipal non-hazardous waste subject to 40 CFR section 257.5-.257.30, as applicable, with the exception of any such unit that manages liquid wastes including pits, ponds, and lagoons;
  3. Hazardous waste landfills permitted by EPA under section 3004 of RCRA, or by a state authorized under section 3006 of RCRA.”

Environmental Protection Agency risk-based PCB disposal notification (Feb. 6, 2018)

Environmental Protection Agency approval to LES to dispose of PCB remediation waste (Sept. 28, 2017)