Natural Resources

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Natural Resources Committee to conduct an interim study on natural gas production issues. The study will assess whether natural gas companies have enough capacity to meet home heating, power generation, ethanol production, and agricultural needs. It will also evaluate pipeline infrastructure, storage capabilities, and the affordability of rising natural gas prices. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

LB 1010 allows Nebraska electric districts to use eminent domain (government power to acquire property) for energy storage facilities, including batteries and other systems for storing electricity. It specifically prohibits consumer-owned electric cooperatives from using eminent domain to take privately developed renewable energy projects (like wind farms and their related infrastructure) that meet requirements under Section 70-1014.02. The bill updates rules for how utilities apply for permits, file notices, and handle violations related to energy storage resources. These changes aim to clarify legal authority for energy storage while protecting existing renewable energy investments.

LB 413 amends Nebraska law governing how public power, irrigation, and combined power/irrigation districts set rates for electricity and water services. It requires districts to establish fair, reasonable rates that distribute operational benefits equitably among users. Key changes include limiting negotiated rates for large commercial/industrial customers (over 500 kW) to five years and mandating that such rates cover the actual cost of producing the electricity if tied to qualifying economic development projects. This directly affects power districts and their commercial/industrial customers with significant electrical loads.

This bill prohibits private owners from shutting down, retiring, closing, or altering operations of certain privately developed renewable energy facilities, specifically those using solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, or biogas. It directly affects private electric suppliers who operate these facilities, such as standalone solar or wind power plants not owned by public entities like municipalities or cooperatives. The law requires these facilities to maintain operations without authorization changes, amending existing energy regulations to enforce this prohibition. It does not apply to facilities owned by public power districts or government entities.

LB 759 updates Nebraska's water well licensing and management systems. It adds a new representative category for municipal/industrial water well contractors to the Water Well Standards Board and adjusts board composition requirements. The bill also clarifies the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment's authority to manage the Perkins County Canal Project, including land acquisition and dispute resolution. Additionally, it changes how funds from the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Fund are allocated and distributed. These changes directly affect water well contractors, the Department, and recipients of litter reduction funds.