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.
Gage County approves more restrictive wind regulations
A process to update Gage County’s regulations for commercial wind energy that started around two years ago came to a close this week when the Board of Supervisors approved a set of wind regulations. The process started when the Planning and Zoning Commission reevaluated the regulations before ultimately recommending a draft to the County Board, which then made its own changes to the document. Most of those changes were proposed by board member Emily Haxby, who has spearheaded changes to . . . Complete story »
Gage County finalizes tougher set of wind energy development regulations
BEATRICE – The Gage County Board Wednesday approved final amended regulations on wind energy companies that some officials say prevents any further wind development in the county. Before the final vote, supervisors approved an additional amendment requiring an escrow account ahead of wind energy permit approval, to handle decommissioning and restoration, should a wind farm be no longer used. County Board member Emily Haxby, who led the effort toward new regulations favored by northern Gage County rural residents…said a lot . . . Complete story »
Gage County continues discussion on wind regulations
Gage County is one step closer to adopting a set of new regulations for commercial wind energy generation. The Board of Supervisors discussed the latest draft of the regulations on Wednesday, where two additional changes were proposed. Both were suggested by board member Emily Haxby, who has spearheaded changes to the regulations this year, making them more restrictive. One of the changes suggested Wednesday was approved by the board, to lower an allowance that turbines can exceed the maximum decibel . . . Complete story »
Nebraska board drops proposal seeking greater authority over renewable energy projects
LINCOLN – A state energy board on Friday backed off of its controversial proposal to seek veto power over agreements between utilities and private wind and solar projects. The proposal would likely drive renewable energy projects to locate outside Nebraska, advocates told the Nebraska Power Review Board. “They’ll go elsewhere,” said Stephen Bruckner, an attorney for the Omaha Public Power District. The Review Board had created a firestorm of opposition from the state’s public power utilities and environmentalists after proposing that . . . Complete story »
Jefferson County Commissioners approve met tower for NextEra Energy
FAIRBURY, NE – A national energy company is building a meteorological tower in northwest Jefferson County to see if the area would be suitable for a possible wind farm. At their meeting Tuesday morning, the Jefferson County Commissioners unanimously approved a special use permit for NextEra Energy to build a met tower. The tower will be 190-feet tall, supported by guy-wires and can be removed after the end of its life cycle, which is typically three to four years. It will . . . Complete story »
Supervisors approve 3.25% increase to budget, approve wind farm in SE Custer County
A lengthy Custer County Board of Supervisors meeting saw a number of approvals including the 2021-22 budget. During the hearing regarding the budget, a handful of citizens spoke regarding Ryno Road and if money would be in the budget to keep the road asphalt and not turn it into gravel. Board Chairman Barry Fox stated the county budgeted $4-$5 million for new surface projects for the entire county next year which was much higher than normal. He stated the board . . . Complete story »
Nine wind turbines proposed
The first Kimball County Commissioners board meeting of September on Tuesday addressed public hearings, roads, budgets and inventories for the county. County Zoning Administrator Sheila Newell briefly explained that the Kimball County Planning Commission met and recommended approval for the conditional permit application of Dale Critchfield of Real Western Wings. Critchfield’s application is looking to expand his controlled shooting area south of Kimball. The commissioners approved the public hearing for 10 a.m. Sept. 21. At that time, they will receive . . . Complete story »
Gage County Board hears input on recommended wind energy regulation changes
BEATRICE – Point of measurement and distance of wind turbines from other uses seemed to be the main concerns expressed during a public hearing held by the Gage County Board, Wednesday night. The county recently received recommended changes in regulations governing wind energy companies from the county planning commission. In what’s been a two-year process that includes a moratorium on wind energy permit applications, the changes have been sought by northern Gage County residents, who oppose a potential wind farm . . . Complete story »
County Board holds wind energy hearing
Gage County officials heard nearly two hours of public testimony Wednesday evening regarding wind energy from area residents hoping for more strict regulations. A total of 22 people spoke during the hearing before the County Board of Supervisors regarding proposed changes to the current regulations regarding commercial wind energy. A common theme presented was a desire to increase setback requirements for turbines. One concern discussed was that turbines could harm the viewshed of Homestead National Historical Park. Ross Trauernicht, who . . . Complete story »
Appellate court affirms injunction keeping NPPD from ending power contracts with wind farms
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a federal judge’s order blocking Nebraska Public Power District from canceling power purchase agreements with four wind farms in the state. The publicly owned utility had argued that Elkhorn Ridge Wind LLC, Laredo Ridge Wind LLC, Broken Bow Wind LLC and Crofton Bluffs Wind LLC had violated the agreements by transferring control of their parent company’s ownership interests without their consent. NPPD wanted out of the agreements they signed in 2008 to . . . Complete story »
