4/30/2008 9:28:00 AM Ground broken on $140 million project by Bloomfield
Linda Wuebben/CorrespondentGround was broken Tuesday for what will be Nebraska’s biggest wind farm. Shown here (from left) are John Hansen, Nebraska Farmers Union president, state Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, Gov. Dave Heineman and Ron Asche, president of the Nebraska Public Power District.
BLOOMFIELD - It's a new frontier that eventually could blow away other types of energy generation.
"This C-BED project here in Bloomfield and Knox County will be a model for the state," said Gov. Dave Heineman. "It's all about the future of renewable energy."
Ground was broken near here Tuesday on what is being called Nebraska's largest wind farm. Heineman congratulated the region for accepting the challenge of producing clean energy.
The passage of LB629 last year allows Community Based Economic Development (C-BED) projects to be developed within the state.
Nebraska produces and sells electricity differently from other states. Power companies are public utilities not run by privately owned companies for profit. Power is also cheaper in Nebraska than anywhere else.
NPPD cannot take advantage of tax incentives when constructing the wind facilities, but the C-BED law allows NPPD to partner with private companies. The private sector can take advantage of tax breaks and then sell the power generated to NPPD.
A crowd of Knox County residents turned out to celebrate wind power and the upcoming construction of 80-megawatt Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm north of Bloomfield.
The $140 million project has 27 wind turbines covering 8,355 acres that will produce enough clean energy for 25,000 Nebraska residents. It will contribute more than $5.7 million in personal property taxes over five years to the local economy and pay out $325,000 in lease payments to landowners.
During construction, 100 local residents will be employed and building supplies will bring new economic growth to area towns. After completion, six employees will have full-time jobs.
"This C-Bed bill is all about economic development here in rural Nebraska," said state Sen. M.L. "Cap" Dierks of Ewing, who introduced and worked to see the bill become a law. "It's a win-win situation for everyone, farmers, ranchers and residents."
Dierks said Nebraska needs to live up to its ranking as the state with the sixth-highest potential for wind energy. Rural Nebraska is dealing with dwindling population and there is no better place than Knox County to bring the prospect of sound economic development.
Mike Donahue, vice-president of Midwest Wind Energy, said that, as a developer, he recognized three important aspects of the Bloomfield wind farm. The landowners are the foundation and their support and enthusiasm encouraged his company to plan a project there.
"The Bloomfield residents welcomed us, and with creativity, foresight and the political will of NPPD, they have made this project come true," Donahue said.
He added they never lost sight of the idea of providing the lowest cost and most reliable, clean energy today.
At a ceremony in the Bloomfield Community Auditorium, speakers also talked about the Crofton Hills Wind Farm that was recently announced and expected to be completed in 2009.
It will be about half the size of the Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm and cover about 2,400 acres. Its projected cost will be $69 million and it will employ four permanent employees when finished.
It will be located west and slightly south of Crofton.
Doug McFarlan, senior vice president of public affairs for Edison Mission Group, said wind energy is the fast growing sector of their business. They have 40 wind plants in 12 states since their start 10 years ago.
McFarlan said the windy conditions on Tuesday demonstrated the place of harvesting wind energy north of Bloomfield was a good choice.
