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.
Second lawsuit filed against EDF, county
A second lawsuit has been filed against EDF Renewables, Milligan One Wind LLC, Aksamit Energy Development, Aksamit Resources Management, Golden Rock Wind LLC, US Development LLC, York Nebraska Wind Partners LLC and Saline County. Alan and Debbie Brunkow, Gary Veprovsky, Dennis and Deborah Pallas and Chuck and Rebecca McKay filed a complaint in Saline County Court Oct. 29. The plaintiffs allege public record documents were not provided as requested, conditional use permits were not filed in a timely manner and . . . Complete story »
Wind farm company to visit with NCORPE
Board members of NCORPE, the water augmentation project in southwest Lincoln County, have invited the developer of four northeast Nebraska wind farms to make a public presentation Monday in Curtis. A representative of Invenergy will discuss the firm’s wind- and solar-energy projects during the Nebraska Cooperative Republican Platte Enhancement Project’s 10 a.m. board meeting at the Curtis Community Center. General Manager Kyle Shepherd said a public comment period will follow Invenergy’s presentation, which arises from his board’s ongoing interest in . . . Complete story »
Gage County considering wind regulation amendment
Gage County officials are considering how to move forward with a request to amend its regulations related to wind energy. The County Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed amendment Wednesday, which will be discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission at a future meeting. Larry Allder, representing Prairie Wind Watchers, attending the meeting to discuss the proposal that would increase setback requirements for wind turbines. “We believe the wind regulations need to be updated,” he said. “When we first did . . . Complete story »
Project should cause no harm to a neighbor
As you encouraged in a previous article about discussing the new zoning regulations, I think there’s a real need for people to understand what these regulations do for us. While in town this past week, my wife had a conversation with an individual and this person was questioning why there’s so much concern over these wind turbines. As my wife discussed the issue, it was evident that the negative impact of how a dissimilar structure being placed next to an . . . Complete story »
Wind energy hearing draws strong opposition
County planners tabled their review and pending recommendation on an application to build four commercial wind turbines south of Interstate 80 last week after hearing two hours of often emotional testimony from area neighbors who raised a number of concerns. Representatives with Bluestem Energy Solutions explained details of the project, which was outlined in a 160-page application presented to the Hamilton County Joint Planning Commission. A crowd of 60-plus citizens attended the public hearing at the county fairgrounds, with 13 . . . Complete story »
Cherry County Board of Commissioners revise permit zoning regulations
Cherry County Commissioners moved forward with their plans to build a 19 wind turbine project near Kilgore. The project is proposed by BSH Kilgore LLC and Bluestem Sandhills LLC. Tuesday’s vote comes after commissioners revised five of the twelve conditions in the application, which include, a satisfactory road agreement, a satisfactory decommissioning agreement, development of a fire suppression control plan, in conjunction with local fire departments, ten percent cash of the $4.1 million in net decommissioning costs will be deposited . . . Complete story »
Southern Public Power approves wind farm, while some residents object
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Using one renewable energy to produce another – a local public power district sees benefits going green. But the prospect of a wind farm brings objections from some near Aurora. “I’m a concerned citizen from Hamilton County,” one man said, addressing the Southern Public Power District board. Todd Joyce interrupted harvest. “I still have dirt on my hands from this morning,” he said, and he spoke in opposition. Joyce, Duane Katt, and others expressed their concerns. “They . . . Complete story »
Wind energy project up for review
A proposal to build four large commercial wind turbines just south of Aurora’s I-80 intersection is back on the agenda three years after being tabled to allow county officials time to review related zoning regulations. With county commissioners having approved an updated comprehensive plan Sept. 9, Bluestem Energy Solutions wasted little time in renewing efforts to move the project forward. “The way I understand it they originally wanted to come in and build this project a couple of years ago . . . Complete story »
Landowners oppose wind turbine project proposal
A multi-million dollar project that’s been met with strong opposition from landowners, taxpayers and stakeholders in Cherry County for the past three years continues to fuel the fire. Lynn and Mike Welker are fourth and fifth generation ranchers. The father-daughter team fear the wind farm project proposed by BSH Kilgore LLC and Bluestem Sandhills LLC adjacent to their home will destroy the land. However, the applicants assure their conditional use permit meets necessary requirements and is estimated to fuel 200-300 . . . Complete story »
No action taken on Cherry County wind farm proposal
The Cherry County Commissioners took no action on a proposed wind turbine project at a public hearing Tuesday. The public hearing was held at the Valentine High School Auditorium. About 80 landowners, their attorneys, and stakeholders were present. Forty people testified before the commissioners. Those who are against the project believe wind farms are detrimental to the environment and public health. They also believe the conditional use permit proposal is a violation of their property rights and question the regulations . . . Complete story »
