LINCOLN - Senators struck a last-minute compromise on a controversial issue involving wind energy, then gave second-round approval to a measure designed to remove roadblocks to construction of wind farms in Nebraska.

Proponents have said that Legislative Bill 561, introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, would help boost wind development in Nebraska. The state has the sixth-highest wind energy potential in the country, but has slipped recently from 23rd to 24th in generation of such power.

The bill would allow Nebraska's public power districts to waive their eminent-domain power when signing a contract with a private, wind-farm developer, which proponents say was a roadblock to some wind projects.

It also allows the state's public power districts to build wind farms larger than 80 megawatts to take advantage of economies of scale.

Under an amendment adopted without opposition on Tuesday, private investors would have an easier time accessing the multi-million dollar loans required to build wind farms.

The amendment had initially generated controversy because it was brought by investors related to Tenaska Energy, an Omaha-based firm, after the deadline for introducing bills in the 2009 Legislature had passed.

A rarely held public hearing was held on the proposed amendment, and senators worked out a compromise with opponents. Those opponents had included the Nebraska Farmer's Union and other supporters of "community-based" wind-farm developments, which are designed to steer profits from such projects to farmers and rural communities.