OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Omaha City Council is considering updated electrical codes that could add hundreds of dollars to new homes and electrical projects but supporters say the changes could save lives.

The council will vote on the ordinance December 9. If passed, the new code would require whole house surge protectors, ground-fault outlets and arc-fault breakers for new construction and electrical projects.

Local electrician Jon Nebel said the updates could cost homeowners an extra $500 per project but the safety benefits are worth it.

“It keeps us safe, it keeps anyone touching electricity or using electricity safe,” Nebel said.

Omaha’s electrical codes haven’t been updated since 2017.

“There’s better equipment and safer homes that could be built if you know about it. But if we do

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