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.
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.
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 1109 eliminates specific sales and use tax exemptions (including those for energy-related items and certain nonprofit purchases) and removes a renewable energy tax credit. It modifies provisions under the Nebraska Advantage Research and Development Act regarding tax credits and updates the ImagiNE Nebraska Act. The bill repeals several existing tax sections (77-2701.54, 77-2704.57, etc.) and requires a revised tax expenditure report detailing revenue losses from exemptions. These changes directly affect businesses and organizations currently benefiting from the eliminated exemptions and credits.
Nebraska's LB 1163 amends rules for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) liens on properties. It changes how delinquent annual PACE assessments become liens: for single-family homes, liens are recorded immediately upon assessment (not when delinquent), while non-residential properties require recording after delinquency. The bill clarifies lien priority - PACE liens rank below prior mortgages for single-family homes but match tax lien status for other properties - and specifies that delinquent PACE assessments may be extinguished in foreclosure if sale proceeds are insufficient. This directly affects property owners with PACE financing, particularly those selling or facing foreclosure on qualifying energy-efficiency projects.
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.