Clouse, Lonowski Bills Go Before Hearings In Lincoln

LB1204 faced serious opposition at a hearing before the Natural Resources Committee on Thursday. The bill was introduced by Kearney Senator Stan Clouse. 

LB1204 intends to establish uniform standards for the permitting of wind, solar, and energy storage facilities, while increasing the share of nameplate capacity tax revenue distributed to counties where such facilities are located. LB1204 creates the Nameplate Capacity Tax Facility Standards Act, which establishes standards for setbacks, noise, decommissioning, shadow flicker, lighting, road use, and visual screening. The bill also includes agricultural protections for affected landowners. Permit application procedures and timelines are established for county review of proposed facilities. LB1204 expands the nameplate capacity tax to include energy storage resources colocated with renewable generation facilities and changes the distribution of tax revenue for facilities permitted after the operative date, increasing the county share from approximately twenty-two percent to ninety-five percent.

Several spoke against the measure while online. the bill had 7 proponents and 315 opponents. Technical issues interrupted a portion of the recording hearing. Here's the edited version.

LB899 was introduced by Hastings Senator Dan Lonowski.  It went before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. LB899 removes the statutory requirement that candidates for the Professional Engineering exam receive approval from the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects before taking the exam. Successful completion of the exam would remain a requirement for engineering licensure in Nebraska.