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.
Board discusses potential fees for wind, solar
The Burt County Board of Supervisors met Friday and had a long discussion about potential fees for wind and solar installations in the county during their regular board meeting. “Nothing has been decided yet,” Chairman David Schold said. “The zoning board will get together for a meeting and do research and then give us some of their suggestions.” There are no meetings set up for public hearing. The proposed fees for commercial wind and solar is $10,000 for a conditional . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine debate returns as Gage County prepares to resume zoning business
Planning and Zoning business is returning to Gage County after a nearly three month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the debate over wind energy is picking up where it left off. The County Board of Supervisors discussed planning issues during its Wednesday meeting, specifically concerning wind energy. The topic is nothing new for the board, as a proposed amendment to change some of the county’s wind regulations proposed nearly 1 ½ years ago is still up for debate. . . . Complete story »
Judge delivers blow to controversial Sand Hills transmission line project
LINCOLN – A federal judge has delivered a blow to a controversial project to extend a high-voltage, electrical transmission line through Nebraska’s Sand Hills. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William Martinez revoked a federal permit that would have allowed the Nebraska Public Power District to kill or severely disturb the endangered American burying beetle as a consequence of building its R-Line project. The 225-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line would extend from near Sutherland, northward to Thedford, and then eastward to near Clearwater. . . . Complete story »
Nebraska Public Power District says R-Project route won’t change after federal judge vacates permit
Nebraska Public Power District remains committed to building its R-Project transmission line where it’s planned to go, the utility’s top executive said Thursday after a Colorado federal judge imposed a legal roadblock. That includes building the 345-kilovolt line straight north from Gerald Gentleman Station and over historic Oregon Trail “swale” ruts – a major factor in the judge’s ruling. “Nothing’s changed from a factual basis to change our decision at this point” on where the line should run, NPPD CEO Tom . . . Complete story »
Federal judge vacates permit, forcing delay in NPPD transmission line across Sandhills
A federal judge has vacated a permit granted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow a Nebraska power district to “incidentally” kill or significantly disturb an endangered species along a power line construction path. The 116-page ruling by U.S. District Court Judge William Martinez was met with optimism by both the Nebraska Public Power District and some Sandhills residents who want to stop what’s known as the R-Project. It will at least delay the project, leaving the question . . . Complete story »
O’Fallon’s Bluff among reasons federal judge revokes permit for Nebraska Public Power District’s R-Project
A Colorado federal judge has vacated a key permit for Nebraska Public Power District’s R-Project transmission line, citing its potential impact on a key Oregon Trail landmark in Lincoln County as one reason. The ruling Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez of Denver overturns a June 12, 2019, “incidental take permit” issued to NPPD regarding the 225-mile-long line’s potential impact on the endangered American burying beetle. It cites three reasons, the first being that the U.S. Fish and . . . Complete story »
Dakota County tables action on wind farm moratorium
DAKOTA CITY – Dakota County leaders have decided more study and public input is needed before voting on a moratorium on wind farm developments. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 4-0 to table a resolution that would have prohibited wind energy developers from building in the county. Commissioner Tony Gomez was absent. Commissioners agreed that because of restrictions in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the ability for county citizens to provide input has been . . . Complete story »
Dakota County considering moratorium on wind farms
DAKOTA CITY – Wind energy developers have not approached Dakota County in the past about building wind farms there, county leaders say. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Monday will consider a resolution that would keep wind farms out of the county for the foreseeable future. On the agenda for the board’s meeting is a moratorium that would prohibit “… all applications, installations and projects involving wind energy systems until such time that the Board has amended regulations in place . . . Complete story »
Judge orders injunction preventing NPPD from ending power contracts with 3 wind farms
A U.S. District Court judge has issued a permanent injunction preventing Nebraska Public Power District from canceling power purchase agreements with three wind farms in the state. Laredo Ridge Wind LLC, Broken Bow Wind LLC and Crofton Bluffs Wind LLC field a lawsuit last year, alleging NPPD was improperly attempting to cancel 20-year power purchase agreements years before they expired. All three wind farms are owned at least partially by Global Investment Partners, a New York-based company that invests in . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine extortion
Please contact your State and U.S. reps, senators to oppose this wind turbine extortion. I traveled to Colorado Springs back in February – and I was appalled at the number of wind turbines that obliterated the landscape – literally hundreds, if not thousands of these ludicrous inefficient monstrosities. Do you want to see these monsters destroy the landscape of Nebraska in the same fashion? I sure do not want them here – at taxpayer expense … Even warren Buffet knows . . . Complete story »
