Energy (Renewable Energy)

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 43: Change provisions relating to notice and certification requirements for electric generation facilities, transmission lines, and privately developed renewable energy generation facilities located near military installations

LB 43 modifies notice and certification requirements for privately developed renewable energy facilities (like solar or wind projects) and transmission lines located near military installations in Nebraska. It directly affects private renewable energy developers who must now comply with updated notification and certification processes when building projects near designated military sites, including Air Force bases and missile silos. The bill harmonizes existing rules by revising sections of Nebraska law to streamline these requirements, removing redundancies while maintaining security considerations for military operations. The changes became effective upon the governor’s approval on February 25, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill modifies notice/certification for renewable energy facilities near military sites, harmonizing rules to facilitate development. This supports renewable energy infrastructure by enabling projects near military installations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 121: Prohibit land disposal of solar panels and wind turbine blades and the component parts of solar panels and wind turbine blades

Nebraska bill LB 121 prohibits landfills from accepting solar panels, wind turbine blades, and their component parts. This amendment to the state's solid waste management law adds these renewable energy components to the list of materials already banned from landfill disposal, alongside items like tires, lead-acid batteries, and appliances. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, solar energy companies, and wind farm operators by requiring alternative disposal methods for these items. It does not specify new disposal requirements but mandates that these materials cannot be landfilled, aligning with broader waste management regulations. The bill is currently pending in the Natural Resources Committee.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBans landfill disposal of solar/wind components, promoting sustainable end-of-life management for renewable energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans landfill disposal of solar panels/wind blades to prevent environmental pollution and promote recycling, aligning with waste management regulations for hazardous materials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind Recycling Waste Management

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 503: Authorize the designation of American energy friendly counties and change provisions relating to privately developed renewable energy generation facilities and the nameplate capacity tax

Nebraska's LB 503 creates a program allowing counties to become "American energy friendly counties" to earn additional tax revenue from privately owned renewable energy facilities (like solar and wind installations). To qualify, counties must relax zoning rules - permitting renewable projects by right without discretionary approvals, setting noise limits at 50 decibels, and limiting setbacks (e.g., 300 feet for solar). The Department of Revenue will track designated counties and the annual tax revenue generated from these facilities. This policy directly affects county governments (through new revenue options) and renewable energy developers (by standardizing local permitting requirements).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new tax revenue stream for counties via renewable energy projects, directly advancing fiscal management through increased tax collection from designated 'American energy friendly counties'.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes zoning barriers for solar/wind projects, designates 'energy friendly' counties, and incentivizes renewable development via tax revenue, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes renewable energy by easing zoning for solar/wind projects, facilitating clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPromotes renewable energy technology deployment by easing zoning barriers for solar/wind projects, directly advancing clean tech infrastructure adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Renewable Energy Solar

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LB 20: Require the provision of electric service to customers that own an agricultural self-generation facility

This bill requires Nebraska electric utilities to provide service to customers who own small on-farm renewable energy systems (≤100 kilowatts) used for agricultural purposes, such as solar or wind installations. It specifically applies to systems that don’t connect to the grid for net metering and must be located on the same property as the farm’s electric account. Utilities must serve these customers but can still require compliance with safety standards, interconnection rules, and standard rates. The bill ensures grid access for qualifying farm systems without altering utility rate structures or creating new financial incentives.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates utilities to provide service for agricultural renewable systems (≤100kW solar/wind), enabling on-farm renewable energy adoption without grid net metering, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables on-farm solar/wind systems, facilitating renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance - directly advances clean energy promotion per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 35: Change provisions relating to the requirements for certain exemptions for privately developed renewable energy generation facilities

LB 35 amends a regulation governing exemptions for privately developed renewable energy projects in Nebraska. It changes the reference from "7.4" to "791.4" as it existed on January 1, 2025, for facilities like rooftop solar or small wind installations seeking certain regulatory exemptions. This bill directly affects private developers of small-scale renewable energy generation who rely on these exemptions to avoid specific permitting or grid connection requirements. The change is procedural, updating which specific rule applies but not altering the exemption criteria or eligibility itself. The bill remains in the Natural Resources Committee with no further action taken as of the provided date.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends exemptions for small-scale renewables (solar/wind), reducing regulatory barriers for private developers. Maintains access to exemptions without new permitting requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill updates exemptions for small renewable energy projects (solar/wind), facilitating private development and reducing regulatory barriers for clean energy adoption, directly advancing environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 450: Change provisions relating to the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act

LB 450 amends Nebraska's Property Assessed Clean Energy Act to expand how municipalities can finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on properties. It allows cities, counties, or villages to create "clean energy assessment districts" where property owners (including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and single-family residential properties) can pay for upgrades like solar panels, insulation, or backup generators through annual property assessments over the project's lifespan. The bill updates definitions for terms like "energy efficiency improvement" and "grid resiliency improvement" to clarify eligible projects, such as energy-saving windows, smart grid tech, or renewable systems. Note: This bill was amended into LB 288 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active in its original form.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands municipal financing for renewable energy upgrades (solar, insulation) via clean energy assessment districts, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands financing for solar, insulation, and renewable energy projects via property assessments, directly promoting clean energy adoption and energy efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 50: Change provisions relating to the distribution of the nameplate capacity tax

LB 50 changes how revenue from Nebraska's nameplate capacity tax on renewable energy facilities is distributed. Five percent of the tax revenue will go directly to the community college in the area where the renewable energy facility (like wind or solar farms) is located. The remaining revenue will be distributed to local governments (cities, counties) that would have collected property taxes on the facility if it weren't exempt, calculated based on each government's share of typical property tax revenue. This distribution continues until the facility's equipment is sold or removed, and the tax revenue cannot be redirected to the state General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing renewable energy tax revenue to community colleges and local governments, funding public services without increasing taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill directs tax revenue from renewable energy facilities (wind/solar) to community colleges and local governments, directly funding renewable energy infrastructure development and community benefits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Renewable Energy Solar