Powering Nebraska

What if generating your own clean energy was as easy as plugging in a microwave? In this episode, we dive into the emerging world of plug-in solar —also known as balcony solar—a technology that is transforming solar power from a complex construction project into a simple household appliance. We start by exploring the historic move made by Utah , the first state in the nation to fully legalize and...

How can a temperature shift in the tropical Pacific dictate the reliability of Nebraska’s power grid? In this episode, we dive into the far-reaching impacts of  El Niño and La Niña  on the Plains. We explore how these patterns drive  fluctuations in electrical demand  and challenge supply—notably by causing the "calm winds" that can cripple wind generation. Beyond the grid, we examine th...

This episodes explores the intensifying conflict between the rapid expansion of the data center industry and the traditional agricultural lifestyle of rural Nebraska. The discussion delves into the recent wave of community resistance , highlighted by Otoe County's decision to suspend permits for new data centers and the Gage County Planning and Zoning Commission's unanimous recommendation...

These sources examine the rapid expansion of  AI data centers  and the tension between  technological growth  and  public oversight . Legislative efforts, such as the  Data Center Moratorium Act , propose halting construction until federal standards address  environmental impacts ,  job displacement , and  utility costs . Regional reports from Nebraska and Wisconsin highlight the local friction ca...

This episodes documents how the  global energy and agricultural crisis  triggered by military conflict in the  Strait of Hormuz  during early 2026 impacts Nebraska. The disruption of this vital maritime chokepoint has caused a  massive spike in fertilizer and fuel prices , severely threatening international food security and industrial supply chains. Within the United States,  Nebraska’s agricultu...

This episode of "Powering Nebraska" explores the "defining moment" currently facing the state's power system as it adapts to the staggering energy demands of the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) industries. We dive into how Nebraska’s unique public power mandate has attracted massive data center projects, such as the facility in Kearney that consumes as much...

This podcast episode explores the intensifying conflict over the South Platte River, where a century-old water agreement has triggered a high-stakes legal battle between Nebraska and Colorado. We delve into Nebraska's decision to revive the Perkins County Canal, a massive $628 million infrastructure project first envisioned in the 1890s to secure water for western Nebraska. The episode breaks...

This episode explores  China's emergence as the world’s dominant renewable-energy superpower , charting the immense scale of its domestic clean-tech production and its disruptive global impact, particularly in the Global South. Inside China: Scale and Innovation  China’s output in the  "new three"  industries—solar, electric vehicles (EVs), and batteries—is growing at an astronomical...

In this emergency broadcast, we unpack Donald Trump’s biggest wind-energy myths—from “cancer-causing” turbines to blackout scares—and test them against data from DOE, NREL, EIA, NOAA and more. What’s true, what’s spin, and what it means for Nebraska’s energy future.

This episode explores the environmental impacts of wind energy development in Nebraska and the Upper Great Plains, guided by Department of Energy environment impact study. We discuss effects on grasslands, wetlands, wildlife species like whooping cranes and prairie grouse, plus standardized mitigation practices and best‑management protocols.

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of  climate change's past, present, and projected impacts  on Nebraska. It begins by establishing a  historical climate baseline  from post-WWII to 2000, characterizing a period of continental steadiness. The document then details  observed climate shifts between 2000 and 2024 , highlighting rising temperatures, longer growing seasons, more intense...

This episode discusses  net metering policies in Nebraska , outlining how they allow solar panel owners to  receive credit for excess electricity  sent back to the grid. While Nebraska's policy provides  full retail credit for self-consumed solar , any surplus generation is compensated at a lower, wholesale "avoided cost" rate. The texts highlight  restrictive state limits  on system...

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of  Nebraska's potential in the future of clean energy , focusing on  fusion, advanced geothermal systems, and transmission infrastructure . It  examines the global progress and remaining hurdles for fusion energy , including advancements in magnetic and inertial confinement, and  Nebraska's emerging role in research and talent development  fo...

Coal has long powered Nebraska—but its role is changing. This episode looks at the history of coal plants like Gerald Gentleman, current reliance on coal, economic and environmental impacts, and what the future may hold in a shifting energy landscape.

Hydropower has quietly powered Nebraska for decades. In this episode, we explore the state’s key hydro facilities, how they work, their role in irrigation and peak power, environmental trade-offs, and whether there’s room to grow.

Nebraska has one nuclear plant—but could small modular reactors be next? This episode explores the history of Cooper Nuclear Station, the basics of nuclear technology, safety and waste concerns, public opinion, and the state’s potential nuclear future.

Nebraska has strong solar potential but lags in adoption. In this episode, we examine the state’s current solar footprint, technology trends, policy landscape, economic incentives, and the outlook for rooftop, community, and utility-scale solar.

Why does wind-rich Nebraska lag behind its neighbors in wind power production? In this episode, we explore Nebraska’s wind potential, current deployment, policy barriers, public opinion, and the economic forces shaping its future.