Neb. wind energy bill advances

LINCOLN -- One of the most important bills of the 2010 session -- to encourage wind-energy development -- has been advanced by a state legislative committee.

The Legislature's Natural Resources Committee voted 8-0 on Wednesday evening to advance Legislative Bill 1048 to debate by all lawmakers.

The purpose of LB 1048 is to encourage development of large, privately-owned wind farms that would export power to other states, while not harming the state's unique public power structure.

Because Nebraska is the only state in which electric utilities are all publicly owned, state laws have proven to be a barrier to private firms seeking to cash in on the demand for cleaner, renewable energy from wind.

LB 1048 seeks to remove the barriers that have prevented full development of the state's vast wind resources.

Debate on the bill could begin as early as next week.

- Paul Hammel

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