Wind Power News: Nebraska
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Lancaster County’s rules governing turbines still floating in the wind
If the Lancaster County Board wants to loosen rules regulating wind farms hoping to build turbines here, members will do so without support of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission. The six commissioners present Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend clarifying rules requiring a third party to perform any necessary noise studies but voted against changes recommended by the Planning Department. Wednesday’s hearing was in response to a request from the County Board, which is seeking to make changes to wind farm . . . Complete story »
Public not given enough time
Did you know the Lancaster County Board is looking at reducing setbacks to accommodate billion-dollar wind energy companies? If not, you are not alone. Most residents of Lancaster County are uninformed on this matter because it was just presented last month. Wind turbines, taller than the State Capitol, do not belong in the back yards of rural homes. I could go on about how it will affect property value, wildlife and health, but I’d like to focus on the larger . . . Complete story »
Rural Panhandle senators set priorities as the session kicks off
Brewer also introduced a bill that provides and changes zoning requirements for wind energy generation projects, a major issue in his district. “That simply establishes certain requirements that every county has to have when it comes to wind energy. It doesn’t restrict it; it just says you have to have decommissioning, you have to have standoff from non-participating landowners, you have to be conscious of so many decibels of sound,” he said. Brewer added that it didn’t prevent wind farms, but it did force counties with no zoning to create zoning. “They become this no man’s land where people can come in with the wind farms and do pretty much whatever they want because there are no rules established,” he said. Complete story »
Gordon senator introduces bill that makes it harder for power districts to build long transmission lines
Public power districts that distribute electrical power would be blocked for two years from building long transmission lines under a bill introduced Thursday by state Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon. Legislative Bill 409, which also would set up a special Unicameral committee to study transmission-line issues, reflects a years-long Sandhills dispute over Nebraska Public Power District’s currently mothballed R-Project. If passed, the bill would forbid “a public power district, public irrigation district or public power and irrigation district” from starting . . . Complete story »
Gage County extends ban on new wind or solar permits, through mid-July
BEATRICE – The Gage County Board has voted 5-2 to extend a moratorium on wind and solar energy project permit applications, through July 15th. The moratorium was set to expire January 15th. The extension gives more time for the county’s planning and zoning commission to discuss potential wind energy regulation changes. Last year, the Gage County Board approved increasing the setback for wind turbines from homes, to one mile, after considerable feedback from rural residents in northern Gage County. Supervisor . . . Complete story »
Clean power agreement could spur $1.2 billion in wind, solar energy projects in Nebraska
LINCOLN – Up to $1.2 billion in new wind and solar energy projects could be spurred by an agreement to provide 100% renewable energy for a proposed carbon black/anhydrous ammonia plant near Hallam, officials said Monday. Gov. Pete Ricketts joined officials of plant developer Monolith Materials, the Nebraska Public Power District and the Norris Public Power District to announce an intent to purchase power agreement the governor called “a win-win-win for everybody.” Monolith, when its plant is fully expanded in 2025, . . . Complete story »
Don’t bend rules for developers
There has been a lot of hard work done by a lot of good people in setting regulations for wind energy in Lancaster County. While other less populated counties are increasing their setbacks, Lancaster County commissioners are asking for fewer restrictions on wind energy. Less than two years ago, the Health Department and the Planning Department both agreed that a one-mile setback was both appropriate and safe for wind energy. At that time, the majority of the commissioners went against . . . Complete story »
County updates wind, solar permit schedules
MADISON – Trying to set a fee for solar and wind farms that is fair to businesses and also covers the county expenses for employee labor to regulate them can be tricky. Madison County has been working on new fees for months, seeking input from other counties, solar and wind companies and a national trade association to update its old fees that were established more than 10 years ago. The Madison County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Monday to approve . . . Complete story »
Lancaster County to revisit wind turbine regulations
LINCOLN – Nearly two years after reaching a compromise on the issue, Lancaster County will consider paring back some zoning limitations on commercial wind turbine facilities. Industry proponents view the move as necessary for harnessing wind energy in the future, while activists who lobbied for stronger restrictions say the county is putting the interests of a major industry ahead of […] Sorry! A subscription is required to view the rest of this content. [rest of article available at source] Complete story »
Steps taken to regulate wind energy projects
A few weeks back we received word from the Wheeler County Commissioners that they had unanimously passed a county zoning regulation that entirely bans industrial wind energy projects in that county. First of all, I want to say how proud of them I am. It takes courage for elected representatives to stand up to the big wind companies. Furthermore, this is more clear and convincing evidence that Nebraska’s state law works just fine. Chapter 23 of the revised statutes is . . . Complete story »
