(AP) — Nebraska’s largest public power utility will not raise electricity rates next year.

The Nebraska Public Power District voted Friday to keep rates steady going into 2014.

Earlier this year, the utility had said it would likely need a 3.5 percent rate increase. But cost-cutting measures were able to reduce that proposed increase to 2 percent.

NPPD President and CEO Pat Pope said continued efficiencies and a strong financial summer eliminated the need for a rate hike.

NPPD helps serve an estimated 600,000 Nebraskans in 86 counties with retail or wholesale electric power.