Energy producer meeting requirement approved

Certain developers of energy generation facilities in Nebraska will be required to hold a public meeting regarding their plans under a bill passed by lawmakers April 11.

Under LB399, sponsored by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, the applicant for any proposed electric generation or privately developed renewable energy generation facility with a generating capacity greater than 10 megawatts must hold at least one public meeting with advance notice in one of the counties in which the proposed facility will be located.

At least 50% of the governing body of the electric supplier must attend the meeting either in person or by videoconference and at least one member must be physically present. Real property owners must have an opportunity to comment on the proposed facility and a report of the meeting must be provided to the Nebraska Power Review Board.

The bill’s provisions do not apply if the proposed facility will be located on real property owned by the applicant at the time of the application.

LB399 also changes a requirement for filing a decommissioning plan for private energy suppliers from the tenth year of operation to the sixth year.

Lawmakers passed the bill on a 46-0 vote.