2006 Nebraska Revised Statutes - § 66-1701 — Biopower Steering Committee; established; membership; powers and duties; expenses; Biopower Development Cash Fund; created; investment.

Section 66-1701
Biopower Steering Committee; established; membership; powers and duties; expenses; Biopower Development Cash Fund; created; investment.

The Biopower Steering Committee is established. The committee may study the feasibility of generating electricity from the use of biomass and agricultural crops and of supporting a demonstration project which may include a gasification component. The project would include, but not be limited to, use of biomass fuel which is farm-grown biomass or residue from agricultural or wood-product activities. The committee may collect information which may be used by all of Nebraska's public utilities to develop biopower electricity projects, including, but not limited to, the exploration of how the use of instate resources for electricity production might benefit the rural economy, an economic analysis of benefits to Nebraska from the use of instate rather than out-of-state resources, and the potential to reduce gaseous emissions.

The committee shall consist of: (1) Three representatives from the Nebraska Power Association, one public interest representative, and one environmental interest representative, all appointed by the Governor; (2) two agricultural representatives appointed by the Governor; (3) a representative of the State Energy Office appointed by the Governor; (4) the Director of Economic Development or his or her designee; (5) a representative of the Game and Parks Commission appointed by the Governor; (6) the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture as an ex officio, nonvoting member; and (7) the chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources as an ex officio, nonvoting member. Committee members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

The Biopower Steering Committee shall seek federal and other grant funds and resources from Nebraska's public utilities and from other public and private sources to carry out any study and to implement any demonstration project which may be undertaken. The Biopower Development Cash Fund is created. Funds received by the committee shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Biopower Development Cash Fund. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

The committee shall report its findings to the Committee on Natural Resources by December 1 each year.

The Biopower Steering Committee terminates on December 31, 2008.

Source:

Laws 1999, LB 101, § 1

Laws 2003, LB 619, § 18

Cross References:

Nebraska Capital Expansion Act,see section 72-1269.

Nebraska State Funds Investment Act,see section 72-1260.

~Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska