Amendment to Public Power Bill Fails

LB 1010 advanced at the Nebraska Legislature.  The bill defines "energy storage resource" and "associated energy storage resource." It confirms existing law that privately developed renewable energy facilities may include associated battery storage resources. The bill provides for the Power Review Board's approval authority over stand-alone energy storage resources and requires written consent of the impacted electric supplier prior to construction. The bill requires a private electric supplier to enter into a joint transmission development agreement with a public power entity and to maintain a contractual agreement with a public power entity for the output of the privately owned energy storage resource.

An amendment to that bill failed to be adopted.  AM 2517 from Jason Prochop would have limited public power entities from a variety of activities. Kearney Senator Stan Clouse spoke twice on the measure. 

The amendment was defeated 15-7. This is the full scope of the measure. (1) A public power district shall not: 3 (a) Lease a private suite at any sporting or entertainment venue; (b) Host or sponsor:4 5 (i) Any tailgate or similar hospitality event; or (ii) Any sporting tournament;6 7 (c) Pay for the operation, ownership, or lease of a private aircraft for transportation purposes; or8 (d) Purchase:9 10 (i) A ticket to any sporting event or entertainment event; or (ii) A country club membership.11 12 (2) A public power district shall limit such district's advertising 13 expenditures to public service announcements related to services provided by such district.