Public utilities pose block wind energy (Nebraska)

[jpak]

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/12/09/news/nebraska/f26968bfbccf811b8625723f00104572.txt

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) ---- A national wind-energy advocate blasted Nebraska for not doing more to turn its stiff breezes into power, placing much of the blame on Nebraska's dominant electric utility.

While adjoining states such as Iowa and Colorado have hundreds of wind turbines, and the policies in place to encourage more, Nebraska has less than 50 and should not "bury it's head in the sand, or the coalfields, for that matter," Dan McGuire told members of the Nebraska Farmers Union gathered in Grand Island for an annual convention.

Nebraska ranks sixth among all states for wind generated, McGuire said, "but the Cornhusker state is lagging way behind other states," in the development of wind farms, he said.

<snip>

While Nebraska is positioned to be a possible leader in wind energy, Gov. Dave Heineman said during the convention Friday, it faces unique challenges. Federal financial incentives for wind energy, he said, are available only to private companies.

<more>

[TheFarseer]

1. The last sentence says it all

doubtless some idiots will try to use that to privatize our utilities. I hope that doesn't happen, but I hope we will find a way to put up more wind turbines.

[Porcupine]

2. Doesn't Nebraska have 2 Senators and a congressperson......

for their tiny little population. You would think that changing federal laws to encourage full use of it's major resource would be a priority. It's not like farming makes too much money for the state.

I read somewhere that leases for wind towers on farmland can add up to 20k each. There's a lot of windy empty in Nebraska that could use some wind towers. Maybe all those farmers could wise up on things.