Bill that would end private wind farms’ use of eminent domain fails in Legislature

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon promised repercussions after his Legislative Bill 155 failed to advance from first-round debate on a 23-8 vote, two short of the needed majority to advance.

The measure would have prevented public power districts, like OPPD and NPPD, from using their eminent domain power to obtain right of way for “feeder” transmission lines from private wind farms.

Brewer said he introduced LB 155 on behalf of his constituents in Nebraska’s Sand Hills, who he maintained have been threatened with the use of eminent domain if they didn’t lease some of their property for such connecting electrical lines. He said it was unfair that a neighbor to a wind farm could be forced to accept a feeder line across their property, calling LB 155 a “landowner rights” proposal.

“Private companies should not have the power normally reserved for government to use against their neighbors to make money,” Brewer said.

During debate, the decorated military veteran accused supporters of wind energy of being shills for that industry. He said there would be repercussions for senators who voted against his bill, or registered as “present but not voting.”