News reports indicate wind turbines collapse regularly in the U.S. and elsewhere. One county in eastern Michigan had two topple in one week last year. ...Ethan Thorp, 27, of Steele City, went out to see the downed wind turbine near Diller ...he's grateful the tower and turbine came down in the cornfield during the early morning hours. "You’d hate to be out there spraying" in the field if a turbine collapsed.

Safety Structural Failure Nebraska

BEATRICE –  One of the wind turbine towers in the Steele Flats Wind Farm near Diller, has collapsed.  The tower is a half-mile west of Nebraska Highway 103 and one mile north of Nebraska Highway 8.  The tower is part of the $138 million wind farm, developed by Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources, which includes 32 wind turbines in southeast Jefferson County and 12 more in southwest Gage County. 

Safety Structural Failure Nebraska

Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon told a legislative committee on Wednesday that disputes about wind energy development in the Sandhills are "tearing communities apart," dividing neighbors and families and even spawning death threats. ...The bill was endorsed by representatives of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation, the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy and sparked testimony from a parade of supporters who journeyed to Lincoln from the Sandhills for the morning hearing.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on Landscape Impact on People Nebraska

A controversial proposal for a wind farm in Nebraska’s scenic Sand Hills was shot down by the Cherry County Board on Monday. ...Johnson said that the backers of the wind farm must now decide how to proceed.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

Today’s vote might not be the last word on the Kilgore project. One member of the three-member Cherry County Board, Jim Van Winkle, is a member of Cherry County Wind. He recused himself from the recent public hearing and probably will not vote today. That presents the possibility of a tie vote, which would send the wind farm back to the drawing board.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on Landscape Nebraska

About 100 people attended and 50 people spoke during a four-hour meeting Wednesday night at Valentine High School about a proposed wind farm in Cherry County. The public hearing preceded a county board vote on a conditional use permit, scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Cherry County Courthouse.

General Nebraska

Following concerns from rural residents when workers began digging to potentially build a wind turbine in the area, Gage County Planning and Zoning discussed why a building permit hasn’t been applied for. ...While it was stated work was to begin in 2016 to obtain higher tax credits, commission members were left wondering why Bluestem didn't get a building permit first, to prevent a waste of time and work if the permit isn’t approved down the line.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

The power industry is in the midst of tectonic-level shifts, the heads of Nebraska's three largest electric utilities said Monday.

General Nebraska

A national political group with a pro-renewable energy bent is pouring $50,000 into an ad campaign to unseat incumbent Fred Ulrich from the Omaha Public Power District board of directors.

General Nebraska

The enticement of government-funded projects that exclude individual rights is causing a rift among Sandhills residents that may never heal. Infringement on landowner rights using eminent domain and endangering livelihoods by destroying our grasslands with this unnecessary construction project is offensive.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on Landscape Nebraska

"And why am I furious? Because my house is here, and now there's going to be a wind turbine right here. And I don't want to look at it, I don't want to see this all the time, I don't want to hear it." Other residents voiced concerns that the turbines ...would lower their property values, hurt the environment and even pose health problems. 

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

Christine McClain and her husband, Gary, bought land five months ago and spent their savings building a new home that will now be flanked by turbines. She said her dreams of a peaceful life in the country have been ruined. “Had I known this was going to happen, I would not have purchased my property. I’m furious."

General Nebraska

After meeting into the wee hours Wednesday morning, the Cherry County Planning Commission recommended against approving a conditional use permit for a potential wind farm in the county.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

A proposed wind farm in Kilgore could provide the state with renewable energy resources, but it's causing quite a stir in the Sandhills.

General Nebraska

The Cherry County Planning Commission has recommended against approving a permit for a proposed wind farm.

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

In the service’s initial discussions with Bluestem, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service saw the proposed area as “relatively dry,” said Bob Harms, a fish and wildlife biologist. “At that time, we had less of a concern,” he said. Then he saw Semin’s eagle nest and many birds, including the sandhill cranes. “So we’re concerned,” he said.

General Nebraska

The supervisors imposed several conditions on the project, such as increased setback distances and completion of a noise analysis within 24 months after the structures are erected. 

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

The commission held a public hearing on the project Tuesday but decided to delay a vote on a conditional use permit until it could be determined whether the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, which operates the nearby Cowboy Trail, should have been informed of the meeting. 

Zoning/Planning Nebraska

NELIGH — North Dakota to Texas is what Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen calls the wind energy “sweet spot.”

General Nebraska

“Your (Antelope County) zoning regulations, regulating wind energy systems, were clearly drafted by developers,” said Hunzeker. “They do not, in my opinion, adequately represent non-participating property owners. In my opinion, this application should be placed on hold and should be sent back to the planning commission, pending a review of your ordinance for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of non-participating property owners.”

Zoning/Planning Nebraska