Energy (Renewable Energy) in Nebraska

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 844: Provide for additional grants under the Site and Building Development Fund

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.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1003: Adopt the Renewable Energy Consumer Protection Act and provide a deceptive trade practice

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1204: Adopt the Nameplate Capacity Tax Facility Standards Act and change provisions relating to property tax exemptions and the nameplate capacity tax

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.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1193: Provide regulation of and requirements for energy storage resources and change provisions relating to property tax exemptions and the nameplate capacity tax

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 770: Authorize fees for the collection of certain taxes of reclamation districts and county agricultural societies and change the distribution of the nameplate capacity tax

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.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1010: Adopt the Large Load Customer Regulation Act, provide for eminent domain relating to energy storage and regulation and taxation of energy storage resources, and change provisions relating to cryptocurrency mining operations and data centers

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.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1163: Change provisions relating to the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1026: Prohibit retirement, shutdown, cessation of operation, and alteration of operation of certain energy generation facilities

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind Waste Management

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 ✓ Energy

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 ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind Recycling Waste Management

All energy bills