This bill appropriates $4,750 from the Nebraska Power Review Fund for each of the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to support the Nebraska Power Review Board. The funds are designated to help carry out provisions from Legislative Bill 1261, which establishes the board's operations. The appropriation specifically excludes spending on permanent or temporary employee salaries and per diems. This measure provides financial resources for the board's program activities without expanding personnel costs.
LB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.
LB 844 amends Nebraska's Site and Building Development Fund to allocate $500,000 for a study identifying large industrial sites (500-1,000 acres for "super sites," over 1,000 acres for "mega sites") across the state. The study must assess infrastructure needs (transportation, utilities), workforce availability within 50 miles, and required state investments to attract major employers in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, and clean energy. At least one site must be located west of the 100th meridian. The bill also allocates $100,000 for a grant under related provisions to support site development projects in future fiscal years.
LB 1003 adopts the Renewable Energy Consumer Protection Act to protect Nebraska consumers purchasing or leasing residential and small business solar or wind energy systems. It requires renewable energy sales companies to provide a clear, five-page written disclosure form at least 30 days before signing an agreement, including company contact details, payment schedules, system design specifics (like size and estimated energy production), and maintenance provider information. This bill directly affects consumers making major investments in renewable energy systems and the sales companies marketing these systems. The law aims to ensure consumers receive standardized, transparent information about contracts, rebates, warranties, and system performance before committing.
LB 1204 adopts the Nameplate Capacity Tax Facility Standards Act to establish statewide maximum standards for regulating renewable energy facilities (like wind farms) and energy storage resources in Nebraska. It directly affects renewable energy developers, landowners (both those leasing land to projects and nonparticipating neighbors), and local governments. The key mechanism sets uniform limits on local permitting and zoning rules - preventing counties from imposing stricter requirements than specified standards (e.g., setback distances for wind turbines) while allowing less restrictive rules. This ensures predictable development, protects nonparticipating landowners from agricultural impacts, and guarantees counties receive nameplate capacity tax revenue from these projects.
LB 1033 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to provide crisis assistance payments under the state's low-income home energy assistance program. It sets a maximum payment of $800 per program year for households facing urgent energy needs, while allowing higher amounts for "extenuating circumstances." The bill updates eligibility rules by replacing the existing provision in Section 68-1215 of Nebraska law. This directly affects low-income households in Nebraska who qualify for energy assistance and face immediate utility payment crises.
Nebraska's LB 1193 establishes regulatory requirements for energy storage resources and modifies tax treatment for renewable energy infrastructure. The bill changes property tax exemptions by designating funds from the nameplate capacity tax (levied under section 77-6203) as "non-restricted" for the first five years after an energy storage facility or renewable generation facility begins operation. This policy directly affects energy storage facility operators and local governments managing tax revenues, as it allows communities to use these tax funds more flexibly for general purposes rather than restricted uses. The bill also harmonizes related provisions across multiple statutes to create a consistent regulatory framework for energy storage resources.
LB 1027 eliminates specific exemptions that previously allowed privately developed renewable energy facilities to avoid certain construction approvals under Nebraska law. The bill removes exemptions for facilities replacing older plants (under 25,000 kW), those within municipal service areas, and military-proximity rules. As a result, private renewable energy developers will now need standard board approval for new facilities, aligning their requirements with other electric generation projects. This change applies directly to companies building solar, wind, or other privately owned renewable energy facilities in Nebraska.
LB 770 authorizes county treasurers to collect a 2% fee for collecting taxes and assessments from reclamation districts (water management districts) and county agricultural societies. It also revises how revenue from Nebraska's renewable energy "nameplate capacity tax" is distributed: 5% goes to community colleges near renewable energy facilities, while the rest is allocated to local governments that previously received tax revenue from those facilities. The bill modifies existing tax collection rules in Section 33-114 and updates the revenue distribution formula in Section 77-6204. These changes directly affect county treasurers, reclamation districts, agricultural societies, and local taxing entities receiving renewable energy tax funds.
Nebraska's LB 1186 adopts the "Affordable American Energy and Jobs Act" to streamline development of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, and battery storage projects. It requires private energy developers to sign long-term power purchase agreements with public entities (like municipal utilities or power districts) for all energy generated, while prohibiting eminent domain over these projects. The bill mandates the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to create non-binding "best practices" guidelines for siting projects, covering wildlife protection, agricultural land preservation, community benefits, and job creation for Nebraskans. Counties that adopt these guidelines become eligible for additional revenue from the nameplate capacity tax. The law focuses on balancing project development with community and environmental considerations through standardized planning criteria.
