Wind energy symposium set for North Platte

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- A Feb. 12 symposium at the Quality Inn and Suites Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte will provide education and initiate a conversation on the appropriate siting of wind energy farms in Nebraska.

Sponsored by the Sandhills Task Force, "Siting of Wind Energy in Nebraska" will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m. Co-sponsors include University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Grazing Land Coalition and Western Nebraska Bank and the Nature Conservancy.

The one-day symposium will provide information in a balanced pro and con format, representing various viewpoints important to landowners, rural communities and Nebraska's natural resources.

The symposium is open to the public and will give an overview of wind energy development in Nebraska, implications of wind energy development for natural resources and implications of wind energy for people. Landowners, farmers and ranchers, community public policy and business leaders are encouraged to attend.

Presentations/topics include: Balancing Economic Development and our Natural Resources, Steve Williams, director, Wildlife Management Institute; Wind Energy 101, which will cover equipment used and wind turbine installation considerations, John Hay, UNL Extension; Wind Energy Development Plans in Nebraska, Pat Pope, CEO, Nebraska Public Power District; Implications for Wildlife, Caroline Jezierski, UNL; Nebraska's wildlife resource, Michael Forsberg, UNL; Nebraska's Mitigation Process for Wind Development, Michelle Koch, Nebraska Game and Parks; and panel discussion of landowner and local community perspectives led by UNL Extension Dean and Director Chuck Hibberd.

Registration is $15 by Feb. 5. After Feb. 5 through the day of the symposium, registration is $25. Walk-ins will be accepted. To register, visit go.unl.edu/windenergyconference.

For more information or questions about the symposium, contact UNL Extension at 402-472-2966.