Other states blowing by Nebraska in wind power

Winds of change are blowing through Iowa and Nebraska, but -- because the states are playing by a different set of rules -- Iowa has a large lead over Nebraska in the generation of wind power.

Barbara and I found that out this past week on drives back and forth through the side-by-side states.

Especially im-pressive were the tall, sleek wind towers we spotted alongside Interstate 35 in Iowa. All told, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. currently operates 323 wind turbines at three sites in northwest, north-central and west-central Iowa. These turbines can produce up to 459.5 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power about 144,000 homes.

And more Iowa wind power towers are in the works. Last week, Mid-American Energy announced plans to nearly double its capacity to produce electricity in Iowa with wind turbine power. The investment could approach $1 billion. solidifying Iowa's position as the third leading producer of wind power in the United States, trailing only California and Texas.

Nebraska lags far behind. To date, the main wind power installations in Nebraska are the two original wind turbines, placed near Springfield in 1998, and the state's largest wind facility outside of Ainsworth, which provides a portion of power for six public power entities in the state.

In addition, this year Nebraska Public Power District will install monitoring equipment at 10 or more prospective wind generation sites throughout the state.

The problem is -- in comparison with other states -- Nebraska is moving slowly on wind power generation. I was told Sunday that Nebraska has only 48 wind turbines in the entire state, far behind the total in Iowa, Texas, California, Florida and other wind generation leaders.

Ironically, one of the things holding Nebraska back is the fact we are a public power state. As such, we do not receive many of the federal tax incentives received by the states with private power providers.

Nebraska needs to fix that problem or the state will fall farther and farther behind our neighbors in the development of alternative power sources.

A start in that direction if offered by State Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, who has introduced a bill in the Nebraska Legislature called the Rural Community-Based Energy Development Act.

If approved, Sen. Dierks says the energy development plan will give some advantages to farmer-owned wind power developments. That's a step in the right direction, but more should be done, with legislation to encourage Nebraska communities, companies and private investors to join public power in development of wind power.

Nebraska has done a good job of capitalizing on the opportunities in the ethanol industry. We need to do the same when it comes to wind power.

Up to now, wind power advances in Nebraska have been too measured and methodical. The Nebraska Public Power District and the Nebraska Legislature need to accelerate their efforts.

If they fail to do so, Nebraska will fall farther behind in the development of this important alternative power source.