Energy Barn Update
In March 2015, the Build Our Energy Barn built in the path of the Keystone Export pipeline generated 340 kilowatt-hours of electricity back onto Nebraska’s public power grid, which has the same carbon offset as planting 6 trees. To date, the Energy Barn has produced 4.84 megawatt-hours of clean energy for Nebraska, which is the carbon-offset equivalent of planting 88 trees.
New Energy News
Kearney May get Large Solar Facility: Energy Developer InfiGen is talking to Kearney city officials about leasing land and operating a 50-acre, $20 million solar generation facility in the central Nebraska town. The project would generate revenue for the city, create jobs, and provide clean energy for local public power providers. Read more here: http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/solar-power-facility-eyes-kearney-for-its-m-operation/article_1a75b93c-60de-5ee3-9ab1-a9ae84cc2ae4.html
Wisconsin Censors State Workers from Talking About Climate Change: Staff at the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands have been ordered not to talk about climate change and have been forbidden from using the phrase “global warming.” In a similarly intelligent move, plans are in the works to also stop University of Wisconsin science professors from talking about the law of gravity and the fact that the earth revolves around the sun. Read more here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-08/for-some-wisconsin-state-workers-climate-change-isn-t-something-you-can-talk-abou
Renewables Surpass Fossil Fuels: In 2013, more renewable energy was added worldwide than added coal, natural gas, and oil combined. The trend is expected to continue and grow exponentially, as costs for renewable technology continue to decrease and governments are doing more to meet carbon emissions goals. Read more here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-14/fossil-fuels-just-lost-the-race-against-renewables
NPPD Announces Revamping of Sheldon Station. Nebraska Public Power District recently announced that it will be converting Sheldon Staion, an aging coal plant, to generate electricity from burning hydrogen. According to NPPD, the project will create 100 jobs and will make the former coal plant carbon-emissions-neutral. Read Bold Nebraska’s reaction here: https://boldnebraska.org/bold-nebraska-ne-sierra-club-react-to-nppd-coal-to-hydrogen-conversion-at-sheldon-station/.
Upcoming Events
April 22: UNO Earth Day Symposium: The University of Nebraska at Omaha will be hosting an Earth Day symposium entitled, “Public Power and the Evolving Electric Utility Business Environment.” Presentations will be given by Kevin Wailes, administrator and CEO, Lincoln Electric System, and Karl R. Rábago, executive director, Pace Energy and Climate Center, Pace Law School
When: April 22, 6–9 PM. Where: Mammel Hall Auditorium, UNO College of Business Administration (CBA)
Read more here: https://boldnebraska.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2015/04/2015-03-23utilities-symposiumLOW.pdf
May 14: Renewable Energy Development in Nebraska
Speaker will be John Atkeison, Energy Policy Director for the Nebraska Wildlife Federation and Co-Director of Clean Energy Nebraska. When: May 14 – 7:00 – 8:30 pm Where: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Community Engagement Center, Room 201
