As we reported earlier the Omaha area’s transition from coal to natural gas is going slower than promised, raising health and environmental concerns.

But despite those concerns, the Omaha Public Power District which made those initial promises, has decided coal production will stay as is for the next several years.

The utility's North Omaha coal station was scheduled to be completely converted and shut down by the end of 2023.

But OPPD officials have told the board that due to supply chain issues and highly technical complications, coal should remain on line three more years, until an unspecified time in 2026.

Preston Love, Jr. (North Omaha activist): “This is to complex for many of us.”

On Thursday the board heard plenty of complaints.

Kelly Kelly, NE Poor Peoples Campaign: “If we delay the closure of North Omaha’s coal burning power plant Omahans are guaranteed to continue suffering asthma at the same elevated rates. Our community is guaranteed to suffer more cancer, unnecessarily.”

According to the utility, come 2026 the two remaining North Omaha coal units would switch over to natural gas, while two new natural gas generating stations would also be up and running.

OPPD CEO Javier Fernandez insists without the delay customers are in jeopardy of being left in the dark, literally.

Javier Fernandez, OPPD CEO: “Bad things could happen, we could create blackouts and create all kinds of issues.”

City Councilwoman Juanita Johnson represents the predominantly black North Omaha area.

Juanita Johnson, Omaha City Council: “Promises were made to this community and now we are proposing to break that promise.

Johnson and others asked the board for a 30-day delay so they can at the least understand all this better.

The board said no and voted for the extension of the North Omaha coal operation, unanimously.