Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) congratulated the 2021 Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference held in Lincoln this week on its successful event. The conference had over 300 participants, 50 speakers, 27 exhibitors, and 25 sponsors. There was a bumper crop of good information shared on timely topics.
NeFU President John Hansen serves as the chair of this annual conference. The conference covers a wide range of topics that impact wind and solar development.
NeFU distributed their "Growing the Rural Economy with Wind" handout at their exhibitor booth. The latest data shows that wind development in Nebraska has produced compelling rural economic benefits:
- $13.3 million of new annual income for farmers, ranchers, and landowners
- $17.67 million of new annual local tax revenues
- 400 estimated new direct good paying jobs with benefits, and 7,640 new construction phase jobs
- $4.66 billion of new capital investment and new tax base
"Every one of the 1,140 wind turbines spread around rural Nebraska represents an $11,000 or more part-time job that that farmer, rancher, or landowner does not have to go to leave their operation to earn. Not one of those 1,140 wind turbines was put on land without the voluntary and willing consent of the landowner. Private property rights allow landowners to say either yes or no to wind development. We need to remember that door swings both ways" said Hansen.
Hansen said he was pleased with the forward looking content of this year's conference. Topics discussed included different ways to produce and utilize hydrogen, the impact of electrical vehicles on the grid, battery storage, how changing weather and climate patterns impact might impact future wind and solar generation, and is already impacting the electrical grid from extreme weather events. Hansen participated in the "It all begins with landowners" and the "Planning and Zoning Regulations for Solar" workshops.
NeFU believes renewable energy including wind and solar energy represent new "valued added" economic opportunities for Nebraska agriculture because landowners make the decision on whether or not to develop and benefit from the renewable energy resources from the wind and sunshine on their lands. We should add additional value to ag commodities or natural resources we own or control when we can.
Hansen urged people who want to know more about the opportunities and issues impacting renewable energy development to go to the Nebraska Wind and Solar website: http://www.nebraskawsc.com/ Past presentations are videotaped and organized by both year and issue area.
NeFU is a general farm organization with 3,841 farm and ranch family members dedicated to protecting and enhancing the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers, and their rural communities. Since 1913, NeFU has helped organize over 445 cooperatives.
Categories: Nebraska, Energy, General