Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Compromise reached on wind energy bill
Credit: By Don Walton / Lincoln Journal Star | January 28, 2016 | columbustelegram.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
LINCOLN – A negotiated proposal to spur private development of wind energy in Nebraska was presented to the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday with the Nebraska Public Power District on board.
The measure will be amended by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha to meet concerns expressed by NPPD that protect its power transmission authority and interests.
“We were initially opposed, but we found common ground,” NPPD Vice President Tom Kent told the committee. NPPD’s transmission interests “will be maintained,” he said.
McCollister said the bill (LB824) will be “a big boost to rural communities” in terms of providing property tax relief and spurring economic development.
“It’s an idea whose time has come,” he said.
The bill essentially would deregulate development of private wind energy, McCollister said, “removing barriers that discourage significant investment in Nebraska.”
Opposition to the proposal was expressed by a number of opponents who pointed to the possible economic risks of deregulation and quality-of-life issues for Nebraskans who live close to the wind turbines.
Some opponents suggested that ratepayers may be asked to bear the cost of increased transmission needs.
Time is critical for Nebraska to spur wind energy development because a federal production tax credit has just been extended for five more years, the committee was told.
“Nebraska has missed out on opportunities” that neighboring states like Iowa already have taken advantage of in terms of wind energy development, Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm said.
“It’s time for us to let go now of our fear of change,” he said.
Regulatory barriers have stood in the way, Thomas Budler, president of Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s Wind division, said. A requirement that the developer negotiate a power purchase agreement in advance of approval has been especially burdensome, he said.
“Coal has the advantage today,” he said, but “a carbon-constrained environment” may mark the future.
John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said renewable energy – both wind and solar – opens the possibility of “a new tax base” in rural Nebraska.
Thedford cattle rancher Dave Hamilton told the committee wind energy investment in rural areas points directly to property tax relief.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
Wind Watch relies entirely on User Funding |
(via Stripe) |
(via Paypal) |
Share: