http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/12/09/news/nebraska/f26968bfbccf811b8625723f00104572.txtGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) ---- A national wind-energy advocate blasted Nebraska for not doing more to turn its stiff breezes into power, placing much of the blame on Nebraska's dominant electric utility.
While adjoining states such as Iowa and Colorado have hundreds of wind turbines, and the policies in place to encourage more, Nebraska has less than 50 and should not "bury it's head in the sand, or the coalfields, for that matter," Dan McGuire told members of the Nebraska Farmers Union gathered in Grand Island for an annual convention.
Nebraska ranks sixth among all states for wind generated, McGuire said, "but the Cornhusker state is lagging way behind other states," in the development of wind farms, he said.
<snip>
While Nebraska is positioned to be a possible leader in wind energy, Gov. Dave Heineman said during the convention Friday, it faces unique challenges. Federal financial incentives for wind energy, he said, are available only to private companies.
<more>