Funding for electricity transmission study advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 20 to a bill that would fund an electricity transmission study to be conducted by the Nebraska Power Review Board.

LB1115, introduced by Hyannis Sen. Al Davis, would appropriate $200,000 from the General Fund to study existing and future state, regional and national transmission infrastructure and policy in the state.

Davis said the study would help the state learn to maximize the state’s potential for exporting electricity.

“Nebraska has a significant opportunity to export electricity to other states,” he said. “[This bill] would ensure Nebraska’s potential future as a significant supplier in the national electricity market.”

The bill also would establish a working group, including five members of the Legislature, which would provide input to the board. A report detailing the results of the study would be provided by the board to the governor by Dec. 15, 2014.

Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson supported the bill, saying Nebraska currently has excess energy that could be put to better use.

“We have wonderful wind energy potential, so we should research how to export it,” he said. “The question is: Where is the market and how can we take advantage of the market? I think that justifies [investing money] to fund a study by a professional consultant to identify potential markets.”

Following the adoption of a technical amendment, senators advanced the bill to select file on a 30-1 vote.