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Utilities

Utilities

Electric

The Lincoln Electric System (LES), a publicly owned utility, supplies electric service to Lincoln and surrounding communities. A nationwide survey, conducted annually by KPMG LLP ranks the rates paid by LES customers among the lowest 10 percent in the country. Rates have increased only three times since 1985. The combined increases have been far below the rate of inflation over the period.

System Average Interruption Duration: 43.1 min. (2010) U.S. average 180 min.

Natural Gas

Black Hills Energy/Aquila, a full-service natural gas distribution company, is the retail supplier of natural gas in Lincoln. Commercial customers can select pricing options to stabilize their rates under the "Business Energy Options" program. In addition, Black Hills assists large-volume users with customized services tailored to their specific needs including firm or interruptible gas transportation services, billing, metering, and location analysis.

Telephone & Internet

Local (land line) business and residential phone service providers include: Windstream Communications, Time Warner Cable, Unite Private Networks, and PinPoint Network Solutions. Fiber is generally available within 1/2 mile of a business site across the Lincoln area. Cellular phone service is available from multiple carriers including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular.

Local telecommunications providers also offer a variety of high speed internet options for business and residential customers.

Water & Wastewater

The City of Lincoln Department of Public Works provides water and wastewater services.

Daily Capacity:131 million gallons/day
Average Daily Consumption: 41.9 million gallons/day
Daily Peak Demand:113 million gallons
Cost: Two fee tiers based on use

The existing Lincoln wastewater collection system service area covers 13 drainage basins encompassing over 80 square miles. The system includes over 800 miles of wastewater collection pipelines ranging in size from 8 inches to 90 inches in diameter.

Wastewater Treatment Type:Activated sludge, trickling filter
Capacity:38 million gallons/day
Daily Load:33 million gallons/day
Cost: $1.86/unit based on water use