HARRISBURG — A landowners association in this community has set its sights on doing whatever needs to be done to establish a wind farm in Banner County.

The Banner County Wind Energy Association held its first membership meeting Wednesday night, filling the Banner County Fire Hall with people interested in plans by two companies to establish a wind farm in the rural county. The companies have been talking with landowners and are interested in constructing local wind farms.

Chicago-based Midwest Wind Energy is reportedly looking at developing the state’s largest wind farm, with plans calling for construction of 600 to 800 turbines. A second company, Terra-Gen Power, is also considering a project in the area and has already leased 40,000 to 50,000 acres in Banner County.

The Banner County Wind Energy Association formed at the urging of Midwest Wind Energy, Banner County Wind Energy Association co-chair Jim Young said

Sen. Ken Schilz, who represents the 47th Legislative District, said that the Banner County association and similar associations could play a large role in the process of bringing wind energy western to Nebraska. Up until now, he said, all large-scale wind energy projects have been located in eastern Nebraska because transmission lines on that side of the state have been built to serve the larger population.

Action during the last legislative session showed that the state is serious about developing wind energy, Schilz said. He said that some progress has been made on wind energy issues, such as eminent domain laws that kept companies from looking at Nebraska because public power districts would have been allowed to take over projects.

With two companies looking at Banner County, Schilz said, these are exciting times.

 “Banner County has some world-class wind ... the wind knows how to blow in Banner County,” he said. “We need to figure out how to exploit that.”

However, he said, there is much that needs to be done, from infrastructure needs such as transmission lines to changes in legislation.

The state should “walk before we run,” he said. “We need to grow this industry in a responsible manner.”

The Nebraska Legislature will continue to look at issues that stand in the way of wind farm developers coming into Nebraska. As the Legislature continues to study the issue and as bills are considered, he urged that Banner County, its landowners and representatives from surrounding counties unite on a common goal.

“It is important that we as western Nebraskans have a voice,” Schilz said.

Banner County Wind Energy Association board members stressed that acting in a united front is also important in dealing with companies looking at the area. Some areas have driven out prospects because of greed, but at the same time, board members want to ensure that landowners are represented fairly in negotiations.

Companies are currently in the testing stage in Banner County, Young said. While Terra-Gen Power has already begun leasing land, Midwest Wind Energy is moving slower and is working on cooperative agreements with landowners to determine potential.

Dave Wolf, boardmember, said there is a lot of potential. The economic impact on the county, including bringing jobs to the area, is among the most exciting aspects of proposals.

However, board members cautioned that projects are ten to 15 years in the making and could evolve over the years.

“No one knows if this thing will fly, but we want to give it a chance,” board member Dave Wolf said.

Young said that the association’s 11-member board has been working on negotiating on cooperative agreements and intends to help members with negotiating contracts and other issues as projects develop.

Membership dues will be used for legal costs to help members negotiate contracts and for lobbying on the state and federal level.

For more information about the Banner County Wind Energy Association, the association will be posting information on the Panhandle Resource Conservation & Development Web site, www.panhandlercd.com.