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Wind Power News: Nebraska
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Knox County sued over nixed wind farm development
A Minnesota-based wind company and a group of landowners have filed a lawsuit against Knox County over the county’s decision to amend its zoning regulations and effectively kill a wind energy project. North Fork Wind LLC of Bloomington, Minnesota, and 12 Knox County landowners filed suit on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska against Knox County, its board of supervisors, planning commission and zoning administrator, as well as a group of wind energy opponents. The . . . Complete story »
County Commission hears arguments for changing wind turbine zoning regulations, extends moratorium
After approving an extension to the moratorium imposed earlier this month on zoning regulations for wind farms in Madison County, county commissioners heard from a handful of residents from across the region on why the regulations should be changed. The discussion came after a contentious joint planning commission meeting on July 18 at Northeast Community College’s Lifelong Learning Center, where more than 100 members of the public attended. After a two-hour back-and-forth between supporters and opponents of the regulations, the . . . Complete story »
Controlled explosions used to demolish old wind turbines in northeast Lincoln
Lincoln Electric System announced that two wind turbines have been removed after nearly 25 years of operation. LES started the preparation process of the demolition midway through June and removed the wind turbines Tuesday morning. The first turbine collapsed due to a controlled explosion at its base. Shortly afterward, the second turbine fell due to its own controlled explosion. “We didn’t want to draw the public to the area when explosive materials were being used. The safety of our employees . . . Complete story »
Dust in the wind: Nebraska’s oldest operating wind turbines to be removed
The cost of decommissioning and deconstructing the turbines was estimated to be $600,000. The oldest continuously operating wind turbines in Nebraska are coming down in July, changing a landmark seen while driving into northeast Lincoln along Interstate 80. Lincoln Electric System’s two 290-foot-tall turbines north of I-80 near North 70th Street have reached the end of their productive runs and will be removed, LES announced Monday. They were two of the earliest examples of what utility-class wind production in Nebraska . . . Complete story »
The Air Force asks Congress to protect its nuclear launch sites from encroaching wind turbines
“They’re monstrous, and then you have gigantic blades spinning on them as well. Not only is that a physical obstacle, but those turbines, they create the hazards like turbulence as well. That can be really dangerous for us to fly into. So it’s a very complex situation, when you have to deal with those.” Complete story »
Wind energy public hearing approaches, opinion poll circulates
On Monday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. in the Lincoln County district courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse, the county commissioners will hold a public hearing to take testimony in support or opposition of proposed changes to zoning regulations of large-scale, commercial and utility-grade wind and solar energy developments. At least two major developers have taken steps to build wind generators in Lincoln County. In 2020, the company, Invenergy, negotiated a contract with NCORPE to build generators about . . . Complete story »
Doubts raised about income from wind project, impact on wildlife
An opponent of the Greeley County wind farm says the 41 wind towers approved Tuesday will not be as financially profitable for the county as some people expect. Nebraska Department of Revenue figures for the last couple of years show each wind tower generates about $6,400 per year for the county in which it’s located, said Robert Bernt. If you multiply that figure times 41, it totals about $262,000 a year for the county. Those dollars come through Nebraska’s nameplate . . . Complete story »
Buffalo County sets new distancing requirements for possible wind farms
The Buffalo County Commissioners voted unanimously last week to approve distancing rules that were recommended by the planning commission. The rules say a wind farm can’t be located or expanded within three miles of agriculture residential zoned property, three miles from any parcel owned by a non-applicant, three miles of a church, hospital, pool or park, five miles of any village or city, two miles of a burial site, the Platte River and South Loup River areas or five miles . . . Complete story »
Packed house attends Jefferson County zoning meeting on wind energy regulations
Fairbury – About 130 people attended a Jefferson County Planning and Zoning meeting Thursday night, as officials continue to discuss proposed wind energy regulations. NextEra Energy Resources wants permission to build a second wind farm in the county in the Jansen and Plymouth areas, with up to 90 wind turbines. Currently, Jefferson County has a moratorium on wind permits while regulations are finalized. Local attorney Greg Kratz says the goal is coming up with a set of regulations that are equitable . . . Complete story »
Sumner residents request five-mile setbacks for wind turbines
Sumner area residents asked for zoning setbacks of five miles or more in regards to a proposed wind farm during the Dawson County Planning Commission meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13. Landowners around the Sumner area have received a wind turbine and easement agreement from NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Florida, regarding a “Canaday Wind Energy Center” that would be located in the county. “We are in the initial stages of assessing whether this community is compatible for a renewable energy . . . Complete story »
