Wind Energy Bill Signed

By Paul Hammel WORLD-HERALD NEWS BUREAU

LINCOLN -- Gov. Dave Heineman signed into law Monday morning one of the major bills of the 2010 session -- a measure to encourage privately owned wind farms in Nebraska that will export electricity to other states.

Legislative Bill 1048 is designed to remove the barriers to private generation of electricty set up in the 1930s when Nebraska became the nation's only public power state.
“This legislation marks the beginning of accelerated wind energy development in Nebraska,” Heineman said.

“This legislation, combined with previous wind energy efforts, will allow Nebraska to achieve its wind energy potential. Wind energy development will foster growth of the new clean energy economy, and provide meaningful employment and educational opportunities for Nebraskans.”