Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Cooper Plant took home the 2023 USA Optimizer Award presented at the Nuclear Generator & Supplier Executive Summit last month. During calendar year 2023, NPPD documented nearly $15M in savings through their USA participation and achieved a remarkable $96.22 return on each dollar of their Alliance membership investment! “From a ‘fleet’ perspective, the ability to leverage the breadth and depth of our alliance by sharing learnings and helping each other, is just one of the great benefits of being part of the USA” commented John Dent, Chief Nuclear Officer at Cooper. He added “I’m very proud of the Cooper team for being awarded the “Optimizer” award this year. Last year we were dead last in the Alliance which led us to challenge ourselves and seek every opportunity to maximize the significant benefit we enjoy as a member of the USA. We’re committed to continuing this positive trend in 2024 and beyond.”

“It was my great pleasure to present NPPD with their first ever USA Optimizer award!  I know in the past year or so NPPD and Cooper have really elevated their engagement in all USA activities, and this is confirmation of their effort.  John Dent and his team have raised the bar for all others, and I only expect continued growth in savings and value under his leadership” said John Christensen, President and CEO of USA. Added Karen Fili, incoming USA President and CEO, “Congratulations to NPPD for winning the 2023 USA Optimizer Award! NPPD’s full engagement and targeted utilization of our supply chain agreements demonstrated the benefits of being a member of USA and achieving top cost-effective savings.”

About the Optimizer Award
USA created the Optimizer Award to recognize the member utility that best leveraged its alliance membership by achieving the highest return on investment through proactive engagement and participation in alliance opportunities.