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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Downsides of wind
I read with interest a Midlands Voices article (“Tariffs could slow wind energy,” Oct. 12 World-Herald) urging tariff exemptions for wind energy components. Wind companies have reaped billions (estimated $4.8 billion in 2018) via tax credits – evidently they are looking for yet more, despite claims wind is ready to energize sans tax credits. Tax credits, not saving the environment, are the reason these companies are in the wind business. Contrary to wind propaganda statements, wind turbines are destructive to the . . . Complete story »
Test towers sought to see if wind farms feasible
A little more than 10 years ago, Madison County approved two conditional-use permits for wind towers to measure wind speeds to see if the areas were suitable for construction and operation of a wind farm. The towers, which also measured such things as wind direction and temperature, have since been taken down. No wind farms ever materialized. The towers were built by Third Planet Wind Power of Bad Axe, Mich., and the information collected is considered proprietary, so it isn’t . . . Complete story »
Wind farm wrong for Gage, Lancaster counties
Once again, we are having to contend with industrial wind turbines in Gage and Lancaster counties. What has changed? Our county commissioners voted and set safe and responsible setbacks and sound limits. Now, NextEra, a multibillion-dollar company, wants to change everything we have all worked so hard for in order to make their project fit. This area is highly populated and is not the place for their project. Their proposal wants these massive turbines 1,475 feet from our nonparticipating dwellings – . . . Complete story »
Wind farms proposal is concerning
A word of caution for the residents concerning the proposed wind industrial park, I’m from Dekalb County Missouri currently working in the Beatrice area. Nextera energy blighted our county 2 years ago with 97 of these massive turbines, the closest is 1 mi. From my house and I deal with noise, vibration, flashing red lights on 3 sides all night long, plus never again will I enjoy a sunrise out my kitchen window without 5 turbines (that’s 15 giant blades) . . . Complete story »
New wind farm coming to Elgin area?
Will there one day be a fifth commercial wind farm in Antelope County? An application has been filed with County Zoning Administrator Liz Doerr for a conditional use permit (CUP) for Thunderhead Wind Energy, LLC. The Antelope County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the permit application, the first step in a lengthy process, on Tuesday night, Oct. 23. The hearing will be held in the downstairs meeting room of the Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh. Only the . . . Complete story »
Company shares plans for nearby wind farm
Officials from a company hoping to build around 50 wind turbines in the area held two public events this week to address concerns from area landowners. NextEra Energy Resources is planning to build the turbines in northern Gage and southern Lancaster counties. Known as the Blue Prairie Wind Project, the turbines could be operational in as little as two years. NextEra isn’t the first company to propose building wind turbines in the area. It bought the project from Volkswind, a . . . Complete story »
Wind farm proposed for Gage, Lancaster counties
Plans for a wind farm in northern Gage and southern Lancaster counties that failed to materialize may be resurrected by a different company. The Blue Prairie Wind Project, an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, is proposing to build a wind energy generation facility in the two counties. According to information from NextEra, the project consists of as many as 50 turbines, each up to 90 meters tall. The company hopes to be operational by 2020. NextEra anticipates the $141 million . . . Complete story »
Commission receives plenty of contrasting views on wind energy
John Dittrich of rural Meadow Grove knows a little bit about wind energy. Dittrich farms with his brother, Keith, and they have a turbine on their land in Antelope County in the Prairie Breeze wind farm, as well as a mile of transmission line that serves that project. They also have taken the time to read up about and study wind energy. They have been among the numerous individuals giving suggestions to the Madison County board of commissioners as they . . . Complete story »
Commission given report on county’s proposed wind energy regulations
Members of the Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission are looking to change the county’s wind energy regulations. While they couldn’t take action on the changes during their regular meeting Tuesday because the changes to wind regulations was presented during the staff report, the board discussed changes proposed by a committee of commissioners: Chairman Dean Rolls, Bob Hansen, Mike Allen and Ken Lukasiewicz. The county started discussing in December 2017 changes to wind power regulations. The commission formed the committee . . . Complete story »
County supervisors table wind tower setbacks for neighboring dwellings
The Holt Board of Supervisors met Aug. 14 for its regular meeting at the Holt County Courthouse. The agenda included proposed changes to the county’s wind energy conversion system (WECS) setback regulations submitted by the Holt County Planning and Zoning Board. The supervisors agreed to keep the current setback regulations for commercial and utility WECS distances for road right-of-ways and property lines. The current setbacks include one-half the diameter of the rotor blade for both. The P&Z Board proposed changing . . . Complete story »
