Roughly 35% of Nebraska's electricity is produced from renewable sources and advocates of clean energy development are concerned about the changes a bill in the Unicameral would bring about.
Legislative Bill 399 would require privately developed wind and solar projects to be approved by the Nebraska Power Review Board, reversing changes the Legislature made in 2016. The Power Review Board oversees investments by the state's public power utilities.
David Corbin, PhD, professor emeritus of public health at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Energy Committee chair for the Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the bill adds another level of approval to the "many levels" currently in place. Even more concerning to him is the way it would change who has the authority to approve or reject a renewable-energy project.
"It would put some authority to unelected people over elected people," Corbin pointed out. "So, for example, OPPD (the Omaha Public Power District) and NPPD (the Nebraska Public Power District) elect their boards, and the Power Review Board is appointed by the governor."
Corbin noted the bill was voted out of the Natural Resources Committee despite "overwhelming public opposition." Supporters of the measure include Nebraskans who believe wind and solar projects harm property values, ecosystems and even residents' health. Research shows the negative effects of renewable energy are negligible when compared with those of fossil fuels.
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Categories: Nebraska, Energy, Rural Lifestyle