Energy Barn Update:
In September, the Energy Barn in the path of the proposed Keystone Export pipeline in York County generated 283 kilowatt-hours of electricity onto Nebraska’s public power grid. That’s enough power to light the Eiffel Tower for 84 minutes. To date, the Energy Barn has generated 3.29 megawatt-hours of electricity, which is enough power to light the Eiffel Tower for 16 hours.
New Energy News:
UNL Releases its Climate Study: On September 25th, UNL released its climate study, “Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska.” The study found that Nebraska has the potential to be seriously affected by human-caused climate change in the future, and that the time to act is now. Download the full study report and view a lecture on the report at this link: http://snr.unl.edu/research/projects/climateimpacts/reportannouncement.asp?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Web&utm_term=Climate%20change,%20Nebraska&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Climate%20Change%20Implications%20for%20Nebraska
Climate Change is a National Security Risk: The Pentagon recently released a report detailing how extreme weather events and climate-related global resource shortages will likely cause a rise in military activity. The report, with a forward written by former Nebraska Senator and now Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, warns of climate-caused increases in disease, poverty, and terrorism. Like most climate change reports, the Pentagon’s report urges immediate action, rather than waiting until after the next election.
To download the report, click here: http://www.acq.osd.mil/ie/download/CCARprint.pdf
Nebraska Power Review Board Approves R-Line Transmission Project:
After a day-long hearing and only 15 minutes of deliberation, the Nebraska Power Review Board voted to approve the application for the R-Line project through the heart of the central-Nebraska Sandhills. The project’s preferred route, which would cross some of the most beautiful undeveloped land in the state, was opposed by ranchers due to environmental, economic, and emergency-response concerns. The project, deemed necessary in Nebraska by the Arkansas-based Southwest Power Pool, will need to undergo public hearings in November. Find out more:
Iowa Continues to Surpass Nebraska on Renewable Energy:
Iowa made headlines again this week by continuing to move forward on renewable energy projects. The Hawkeye state now has a town harnessing geothermal energy for municipal heating and a new nearly $300 billion wind project. This puts the state of Iowa leading the nation at over 25% of its power generated by wind. Meanwhile, across the Missouri river, Nebraska (which outranks Iowa for wind energy potential) still lags behind, with its largest utility, Nebraska Public Power District, unable to break the 10% renewable generation mark.
Find out more about geothermal heating here: http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/10/09/iowa-town-puts-unusual-geothermal-twist-on-district-heating/
and the new wind project here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/development/2014/10/10/midamerican-energy-terry-branstad-expansion/17027407/
Upcoming Events:
Waste to Energy and Solar Irrigation Tour: Tour NPPD candidate and Nebraska hog farmer Danny Kluthe’s methane digestion and power generating facility near Dodge Nebraska. Then, visit a center-pivot irrigation system powered by solar panels near Lindsay. Lunch will be provided at noon. Please RSVP to get a head count on lunch.
What: Tour of Bacon Hill Farm and Beller Farm
When: Saturday, October 18th, 10:00 AM at Bacon Hill, 12:00 lunch provided, 2:00 PM at Beller Farm.
Where: Bacon Hill Farm, 2464 Road 17, Dodge, Ne 68633
Beller Farm, 1 mile west of Lindsay, NE
RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11pl-76_XokXuvRuVgJeYy8YJDnifHqjMJmcxQCd5QDE/viewform
November 4, 2014: Be a New Energy Voter! Bold Nebraska has released its 2014 Election New Energy Voter Guide, with candidate profiles and recommendations. Check out the online guide at http://newenergyvoter.org.
