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Energy Barn Update

In the month of August 2015, the Build Our Energy Barn in the proposed path of the Keystone Export pipeline generated 302 kilowatt-hours of clean energy onto Nebraska’s public power grid.  That is enough energy to power a refrigerator for 2 months.  To date, the Energy Barn has produced 6.2 megawatt-hours of electricity, which is enough to power a refrigerator for 3.8 years.

New Energy News

Hillary Opposes Pipeline: Formerly the Secretary of State while the State Department began the review of the Keystone Export pipeline, now Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton came out in opposition to building the pipeline.  In a move that 5 years ago would have been unthinkable, especially since she had previously said she was “inclined to approve” construction of the pipeline, Clinton declared the pipeline a “distraction,” that keeps Americans from focusing on more comprehensive actions that could reduce our climate change impacts.  Read her statement by clicking on this link: https://medium.com/@HillaryClinton/why-i-oppose-keystone-xl-8698230df2a8.

Read Bold Nebraska’s reaction to Hillary’s statement here: https://boldnebraska.org/bold-nebraska-statement-on-hillary-clinton-coming-out-against-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/

Fracking Wastewater and Oil and Gas Commission Resolution Hearing Held: Two legislative resolutions, one dealing with fracking wastewater (LR247, Harr), the other dealing with the Nebraska Oil and Gas Commission (LR154, Stinner), were held Tuesday, September 22 in Sidney.  Members of the public gave testimony and comments on the two issues at the hearing, which was not without oil-industry shenanigans in the form of a pro-drilling petition outside the hearing which many attendees thought was the sign-in table for the hearing.  To read more about the hearing, click this link: http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/testifiers-paint-opposing-pictures-of-nebraska-oil-and-gas-conservation/article_a6e70e2c-6185-11e5-9727-6fcd1341c093.html

For an interesting perspective, read this editorial by the Scottsbluff Star Herald: http://www.starherald.com/opinion/opinion-nogcc/article_59d0fc1f-07bd-5a58-8389-414fb65746d8.html

Stay tuned for an upcoming hearing in Lincoln in December.

Upcoming Events

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Harvest of the Ponca Sacred Corn: For the 2nd year in a row, come to the Art Tanderup farm (the location of the Harvest the Hope concert) and help harvest the Ponca Sacred Corn.

WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 1-5 PM

WHERE: Tanderup Farm,  From Neligh: 8 miles north on HWY 14 to 857 RD, west 2/3 of a mile, then north up the lane

For more information, see the Bold Nebraska post at this link: https://boldnebraska.org/sept-26-help-harvest-the-sacred-ponca-corn/

 

Farmers Union District Meeting and Wind Energy Forum: Districts 4 and 5 of the Nebraska Farmers Union will have a joint meeting to be followed by a Renewable Energy Forum led by a panel of local renewable energy experts.

Districts 4 & 5 Joint Fall Farmers Union Meeting & Renewable Energy Outreach Meeting 

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, 2015, 4:00-8:30 PM

WHERE: Valentino’s—701 Court Street, Beatrice, NE

AGENDA: 4-6:00 NeFU Districts Meetings

5:45 Buffet Supper—NeFU Buys!

6:30 to 8:30 Renewable Energy Forum-Panel of Experts

For  more info call Karen Sysel (402) 946-6561 or (402) 381-8047