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.
Approval given for fifth wind farm
By a unanimous vote, a conditional use permit, approving construction of a 300 megawatt wind farm, with a majority of turbines in Antelope County, was approved by the Antelope County Commissioners Tuesday, Dec. 4, following a hearing attended by approximately 65 individuals. Thunderhead Wind Energy, owned by Invenergy LLC, will be the fifth wind farm in the county. Invenergy also owns Prairie Breeze I, II and III and the recently completed Upstream Wind Farm. Construction on the Thunderhead project, located . . . Complete story »
Higher wind turbine noise limits get initial OK
Despite strong opposition from residents of southwestern Lancaster County, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday approved changes to the noise limits in its zoning code for wind farms. The commission voted 8-1 in favor of a text amendment that would designate a higher noise standard for properties that choose to participate in a wind project than for those that don’t. Current noise regulations, which were adopted in 2015, set limits of 40 decibels during daytime hours and 37 at . . . Complete story »
Wind power siting lacks uniform rules
A Local View by Lu Nelsen (“County needs balanced wind ordinance,” Nov. 21) generally describes wind power benefits. The problem, however, lies in implementation details. Unfortunately, Nelsen uses the example of a proposed wind farm in southern Lancaster County nixed by county commissioners on account of noise levels. He does not discuss impact details such as noise, unsightly towers, blade flicker and attendant power supply lines. Years ago, areas of southwest Lancaster County were zoned “agricultural residential,” allowing farmers to . . . Complete story »
County gives approval to test towers to collect wind speeds
MADISON – Two areas in the western part of Madison County will be the first to be studied for their suitability for possible wind farms. Following a pair of public hearings Wednesday, the Madison County board of commissioners approved two conditional-use permit applications sought by Invenergy Wind Development of Denver. One is for a temporary meteorological tower on land about eight miles north of Newman Grove at the intersection of 832nd Road and 526th Avenue. The second temporary tower will be . . . Complete story »
Madison County approves updated wind regulations
MADISON – It’s taken about seven months to put the proposed regulations together, so it was not surprising Wednesday that the Madison County board of commissioners spent as much time as necessary listening to testimony and discussing the updated wind energy regulations. Following all the talk, commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the updated regulations, which are more stringent than the original regulations enacted more than 10 years ago. In addition, the county’s moratorium on accepting wind farm applications has been allowed . . . Complete story »
OPPD proposes goals of 50% renewables, 20% cut in ‘carbon intensity’
The Omaha Public Power District board is stepping in to stop the fight over OPPD’s next major environmental policy – and trying to send both sides home as winners. The utility’s updated proposal weaves together the competing approaches of customers who want OPPD to set specific goals for how much renewable energy it uses and those who would rather the district reduce its carbon footprint, however possible. The board’s latest draft of Strategic Directive 7 does both, setting a “long-term goal” . . . Complete story »
Commission forwards updated wind regulations
It’s taken a little more than six months, but Madison County has a set of proposed wind energy regulations that are finally ready to be considered by the Madison County board of commissioners. At a meeting last Thursday, the Madison County Joint Planning Commission conducted a final public hearing and then discussed the input that has been provided at various meetings since April. The end result is an updated set of regulations ready to be considered by the Madison County . . . Complete story »
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 »
