March 6, 2019
Kansas

County still in negotiations with NextEra Energy

By Heather Stewart | The Sabetha Herald | March 5, 2019 | sabethaherald.com

Nemaha County residents who have been waiting to see a term sheet for the proposed wind farms will have to wait a little longer, according to the Nemaha County Commissioners. At their Monday, March 4, meeting Commissioners Gary Scoby, Dennis Henry and Tim Burdiek announced to a room full of residents that they are still in negotiations with NextEra Energy.

“There was no action taken following the executive session, and we are still in negotiations with NextEra,” Scoby said. “I apologize, but the guys are still working toward an agreement.”

Henry agreed, saying they are wanting to get the term sheet right, so they are not in a rush to get it complete.

“We apologize, but we don’t want to hurry this thing,” he said. “You all understand legal battles and I would say this is a legal battle, and to protect wishes that we have received that is about all that we can do. We need figure out a way to make it work for all of us.”

The commissioners also expressed to the group that even when a term sheet presented, it isn’t necessary for everyone to be here.

“Even if we do have a term sheet, it isn’t necessary for everyone to be here,” Burdiek said. “You’re going to get a term sheet and you’re going to have time to digest it, whether you’re here or not.”

When a term sheet is available, the commissioners said they will make it available on their website and copies would also be able to be picked up at the Clerk’s Office.

Henry finished the meeting saying both parties are negotiating in good faith.

“I would say we are close, but every week something else comes up,” Henry said. “They are negotiating in good faith. They are doing a good job, and they are being up front.”

The commissioners will have an open wind farm discussion again at 10 a.m. Monday, March 11, in the Commissioner’s Room of the Nemaha County Courthouse.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/03/06/county-still-in-negotiations-with-nextera-energy/