Battery storage measure amended, advanced to final reading

A proposed regulatory framework for privately developed battery energy storage facilities advanced to the final round of debate March 31 after it was amended to impose additional requirements on certain data center operators.

LB1010, sponsored by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, would require private developers to apply to the Nebraska Power Review Board before constructing or acquiring an energy storage resource.

As amended on general file, the bill includes a modified version of LB1111, sponsored by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha. The measure would allow public power suppliers to impose certain requirements on large data centers, including terms or conditions requiring data centers to pay the full cost of providing their electric service.

Cavanaugh introduced an amendment on select file that would require a data center owner or operator to cover the facility’s decommissioning costs and enter into a community benefit agreement with communities affected by the data center.

Under such an agreement, Cavanaugh said, a community would commit to support or not oppose a data center project through the permitting and regulatory approval process in exchange for certain benefits, such as infrastructure improvements or child care services.

After voting 33-2 to adopt Cavanaugh’s amendment, senators advanced LB1010 to final reading by voice vote.