Prairie Breeze Wind Center Update

Efforts continue to move forward on developing a wind farm in southern Antelope County extending into Boone County.

Mark Jacobson, director of business development for Invenergy LLC, last week provided an update on the status of the project.

“A combination of favorable factors encouraged our interest in developing the Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Center in Antelope and Boone Counties: the strength of the wind resource, strong community backing, and transmission lines with available capacity.

“We appreciate the support of area residents, business and community leaders, and local and state officials. We also want to acknowledge the commitment of participating local landowners – who not only provided letters of support to the Nebraska Power Review Board, but also took time during harvest to drive several hours and testify in person about their enthusiasm for the project.

“We’re also pleased that the Nebraska Power Review Board recently issued a Conditional Approval for Prairie Breeze.  This means the project has been approved as a Certified Renewable Export Facility, the first under Nebraska’s new Wind Energy Export law (LB 1048).  The statute is designed to help Nebraska – rated by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) as having the nation’s 4th greatest wind energy development potential – develop its clean energy economy and provide significant economic benefits to Nebraskans.

“The Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Center will be a 200 MW project, interconnecting with the Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD) 230 kV transmission line.  A projected date of construction has not been set.

“Invenergy looks forward to providing a new supply of clean, renewable energy, and to working with our host community and contributing to its economic development.  The project will provide jobs, as well as substantial yearly tax revenue.  And through landowner payments, the project will help preserve and protect prime, valuable farmland for future generations.”

See ya there!