LINCOLN- Sen. Tom Brewer, a longtime opponent of wind energy, described his Legislative Bill 399 as a much-amended effort that would give neighbors to planned wind farms the opportunity to meet with developers. "LB399 gives the citizens who are forced to live next to these facilities one evening to ask questions of the private company who will become their neighbor," said Brewer."

However, environmental groups see something more ominous in Brewer's proposal: extra requirements on wind and solar energy projects that could frustrate the expansion of renewable energy in Nebraska. "It's the old hackneyed phrase: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' There's no rationale that this is needed," said David Corbin, chair of the legislative committee of the Sierra Club of Nebraska.

LB399, which was prioritized by Sen. Bruce Bostelman, is expected to come up for debate this week before the full Legislature. Brewer said the bill has undergone multiple amendments that have allowed the state's public power districts to appear in a neutral capacity on the proposal.

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