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.
EDF lawsuit heard in Gage County
A pre-trial hearing concerning a civil lawsuit against Saline County and seven wind farm entities was held Jan. 15 at the Gage County courthouse in Beatrice. The wind entities include Milligan One Wind LLC, EDF Renewables, Aksamit Energy Development, Aksamit Resources Management, Golden Rock Wind LLC, US Development LLC and York Nebraska Wind Partners LLC. The case was moved from Saline County to Gage County because a staff member of the Saline County judge was involved in the proceedings, creating . . . Complete story »
Wind Watchers group still pushing for change in Gage County
Gage County Planning and Zoning officials are still considering a request to enhance wind energy regulations in the area, but have yet to formally propose changing what’s currently on the books. The commission held a discussion regarding the regulations during its monthly meeting on Tuesday. Prairie Wind Watchers is the group spearheading the requested amendments to Gage County’s wind regulations. The group is focusing on two specific changes it would like to see made by the county. A primary concern . . . Complete story »
Commissioners again discuss wind tower ice sling
Wind turbines and winter storms sometimes mean ice sling, particularly in Antelope County. The issue of ice sling was again front and center before the Antelope County Commissioners (ACC) for their first meeting of 2020. Zoning Administrator Liz Doerr told commissioners established procedures to follow when there are reports of ice sling were followed. Once notified, she said she contacted the ICC number for Invenergy, located in Chicago, to alert them of the situation. By the time she contacted the . . . Complete story »
Pair of wind energy projects moving forward in Banner County
HARRISBURG – Two companies are showing renewed interest in wind farms in Banner County, and hope to have systems up and running in the next couple of years. Orion Energy and Invenergy LLC are both working on securing leases, conducting environmental assessments and conducting public surveys in the hopes of getting projects up and running. Representatives for both companies projected that there would likely be systems up and running over the next two years. Ben Turner, manager of renewable development for . . . Complete story »
Wind energy has tax implications
Senator McCollister recently wrote about the seriousness of climate change (“Getting serious about being green,” Nov. 20). Whether or not you choose to believe the claims he made on the subject, you should think about this: The senator intends to increase the amount of mandated renewables here in Nebraska. Before deciding to support such a mandate, Nebraskans should educate themselves about the impact to human health, effects on real estate values, impact on electric rates and environmental impact due to . . . Complete story »
Changes sought for wind project regulations
One day after county commissioners voted to deny Bluestem Energy Solutions’ request to build a four-turbine commercial wind farm, county planners began reviewing a proposed amendment that would tighten wind energy regulations with a goal of further “protecting Hamilton County and its residents.” Pat Anderson, speaking on behalf of a new grassroots organization called Preserve Hamilton County Horizons, explained the details and rationale behind a proposed text amendment during a public hearing Dec. 17 at the fairgrounds. “We feel planning . . . Complete story »
No decision made on possible wind farm on Lincoln County N-CORPE land
N-CORPE board members went into executive session Tuesday night after hearing for over an hour from many people on the plan to bring wind and solar energy to the Lincoln County N-CORPE site. N-CORPE Manager Kyle Shepherd reported the board made no decision on possibly leasing land to Invenergy, a leading privately held, global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Shepherd said contract negotiations for a lease with Invenergy will continue, and the topic will be on the N-CORPE . . . Complete story »
Nebraska county rejects wind towers, calls for more research on potential health effects
AURORA, Neb. – By a unanimous vote Monday, the Hamilton County Board rejected a plan for a wind power generation facility in the county. All five board members voted to deny a conditional-use permit for the project. The permit was sought by Hamilton County Wind, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bluestem Energy Solutions. Hamilton County Wind proposed building four GE 2.82 megawatt towers, which together would have produced a total of 11.28 megawatts. Each tower would have been 292 . . . Complete story »
NCORPE board tables renewable energy plan with Invenergy
The Nebraska Cooperative Republican Platte Enhancement Project board heard Tuesday evening from a number of people who oppose developing renewable energy on the property owned by the project. The NCORPE board voted to table the contract with Invenergy, a renewable energy company that has been in discussions with NCORPE, according to general manager Kyle Shepherd. During the open forum, many people in the audience shared their opinions about the possible contract. Of the 20 or so people who voiced their . . . Complete story »
Speakers object to NCORPE wind farm
For more than hour Tuesday night, people spoke against building a wind farm on NCORPE’s 16,000 acres in southern Lincoln County. The objections came during the public comments session before the NCORPE board of directors meeting got underway. Later, the board went into closed session for nearly two hours, discussing a potential contract with wind and solar energy developer Invenergy. They took no action. Shortly after the meeting was called to order, businessmen, ranchers and farmers spoke in opposition. Some . . . Complete story »
