The Common Agenda

Renewable Resources for Energy Independence.

Nebraska has great potential for renewable electric energy. Two plentiful, common-sense sources of renewable energy in our state are the sun and the wind. These technologies have become commercially competitive, offering real home-state electrical resources at competitive rates. Nebraska's economy will benefit from new jobs, and our energy future will be more secure as we are able to develop renewable electric energy. Renewable energy is a key to combating global climate change; it also contributes to a healthy environment by reducing water consumption and air pollution.

Throughout the state, farm organizations, businesses, rate-payers and utilities are ready to expand the potential for renewable sources of electricity.

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However, Nebraska law limits this potential by narrowly defining the criteria to permit construction of new generating facilities. These criteria were written in the days when utilities competed to provide electricity in Nebraska, and the options were primarily coal, gas and hydro power. It is time for the laws of the state to be updated, to allow a systematic, thoughtful path to the future that protects both the fresh air and reliable, low-cost electricity Nebraskans enjoy.

Common Agenda Priority One for the 2008 Legislative session is to remove outdated barriers to the development of this economic resource, and to protect the public interest as Nebraska moves toward energy independence in the 21st Century.