City-owned mid-sized electric facilities considered as separate air polluters

Mid-sized electric generation facilities owned by municipalities are considered separate air pollution emitters under a bill passed on final reading April 20.

Under the Nebraska Clean Air Act, facilities that produce certain emissions are required to pay a per ton fee to the state Department of Environmental Quality. There are two caps on emission fees paid: 400 tons for mid-sized electric generating facilities and 4,000 tons for large facilities.

LB156, introduced by Hastings Sen. Dennis Utter, expands the definition of mid-sized electric generating facility so facilities that are permitted with another general unit larger than 115 megawatts under separate ownership are considered a separate emission source for the purpose of paying emission fees.

Lawmakers approved LB156 on a 46-0 vote.