NEBRASKA CITY - Journalist Robert Bryce mentioned Otoe County in his article regarding the rejection of wind farms that was published on the Forbes magazine website on April 29.

The article says wind farms have been rejected in 328 communities across the United States since 2015.

NextEra Energy is described as the world’s biggest producer of renewable energy. The article says NextEra Energy and MidAmerican sometimes go to court to try and force local communities into accepting wind farms.

Otoe County’s current regulations require a setback of 1,300 feet from a residence and 600 feet from the road right of way. Sound is limited to 50 decibels at that distance.

County Commissioner Jim Thurman, who is reviewing wind energy impacts during a one-year moratorium the county imposed on wind turbine permits, said NextEra Energy has already entered into eight leases with landowners in Otoe County and two in Lancaster County.

NextEra Energy has scheduled a 6 p.m. presentation at the Otoe County fairgrounds on May 11. A question and answer session is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kimmel Ag Expo Center.

The Otoe County Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on May 19 at the Syracuse Library.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertbryce/2022/04/29/wind-projects-rejected-in-nebraska-and-ohio-wind-rejections-across-us-now-total-328-since-2015/?sh=6308cca3bab3