Nebraskans for Solar’s February Speaker:
Wayne Williams from Central City
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February 12, 2020 - 7 to 8:30 pm
UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
Combined Rooms 201/205
6400 University Drive S (64th & Dodge)
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Wayne Williams has been in the energy industry for the last 40 years. He served as the Director and Manager of Projects for Nebraska Public Power District’s Project Management Office. In 1996 he founded Interconnection Systems Inc (ISI), based in Central City, Nebraska.
In 2005 he left NPPD to work in his company. Since that time, he has built ISI into a national EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) company that now specializes in utility-scale distributive and industrial solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations.
As Principle and CEO of the company, he leads a team that is working on projects across the U.S. with large national and international renewable energy developers that include ENGIE and AEP, among others.
The company installed Kearney’s solar farm located in the city’s technology park. The project currently is Nebraska’s largest community-scale solar array until Norfolk’s solar farm, paired with battery storage, will be built this year in partnership with NPPD. Interconnection Systems also installed a 10-kilowatt photovoltaic system at Duchesne Academy in Omaha, currently one of four Nebraska schools with solar.
See "Featured Solar Example" below.
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USDA Seeks Applications for Rural Energy for America Program
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The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.
Click the following links to learn more:
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Green Bellevue’s February Program
February 9, 2020 - 1:30 to 3 pm
Bellevue University’s Hitchcock Humanities Center
Room 202, 1040 Bruin Boulevard
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Blueprint Nebraska Public Forum Hosted by UNK
February 14, 2020 - 8 am to 2 pm
Younes Conference Center,
416 W Talmadge Road, Kearney
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Common Ground Book Club’s February Discussion
February 18, 2020 - 6 to 7 pm
Sozo Coffeehouse Conference Room
1314 Jones Street, Omaha
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Conservation Nebraska Event
February 18, 2020 - 6 to 7:30 pm
Eiseley Branch Library
2530 Superior Street, Lincoln
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Featured Solar Example
Duchesne Academy’s 10-Kilowatt PV System
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Established in 1881, Duchesne Academy is located in the beautiful, historic neighborhood locals refer to as "Midtown Omaha". The name, dating back over a century, endures even though the middle of Omaha is now several miles to the west.
Interconnection Systems installed the 10-kilowatt solar array in 2019. Duchesne Academy has the inspiring goal to be a zero waste and net positive energy school by 2030. Special guests at our February 12, 2020 event at UNO's Community Engagement Center will include representatives from Duchesne who led the school's efforts to raise funds to complete the solar project, a process that didn’t happen overnight.
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MEAN Board Approves Resolution On Vision For
Carbon Neutrality By 2050
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“MEAN is a member-driven organization and there is a desire from member communities to further build upon our clean energy portfolio and environmental stewardship."
Bob Poehling, MEAN Executive Director & CEO
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More News, Opinion, Resources & Events
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- Coal plants are closing across the West. Here are the companies sticking with coal, Los Angeles Times. PacifiCorp is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
- Previously Posted: Warren Buffett Is One of the World’s Richest Fossil-Fuel Billionaires, Bloomberg. This post includes divestment/reinvestment resources.
- Could solar panels work at night? These researchers say yes, Electrek
- House committee releases comprehensive climate legislation, American Public Power Association
- As Xcel moves toward coal-free, will natural gas remain part of energy mix?, Minnesota Public Radio
- SPP approves $545M in transmission upgrades, eyes storage to help reduce costs, Utility Dive
- At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software, Utility Dive
- UNL, Big Ten student leaders call on universities to divest from fossil fuels, Lincoln Journal Star
- Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference set for Feb. 13, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources News, UNL. This post includes healthy soils / regenerative agriculture & carbon sequestration resources.
- More than a dozen states strive for 100 percent renewable energy, Environment America News Release
- Environment America’s 100% Campaigns
- Energy efficiency can ease the low-income burden, American Public Power Association
- County board discusses North Bend project, solar farm, Fremont Tribune
- Opinion: Investment in Missouri lowers electricity bills and creates jobs for residents, The Missouri Times
- The sun shines for all: Community solar for low-income populations, American Public Power Association
- How To Go Solar Without The Rooftop Panels, contributed article by Craig Miller, Science Journalist, Next Avenue. Next Avenue is the PBS website “for grown-ups who want to keep growing.”
- BlackRock Targets Storage With New Multibillion-Dollar Renewables Fund, Greentech Media
- Previously Posted: BlackRock joins Climate Action 100+ to ensure largest corporate emitters act on climate crisis - The addition of funds it manages, brings total assets under management represented by investors participating in Climate Action 100+ to more than $41 trillion.
- Look Locally For Solutions to Climate Crisis, Guest Column, Hibbing Daily Tribune
- Creating Energy Independence With Solar Panels And Storage Battery Systems In The Home, contributed Forbes article by Sheri Koones, real estate expert and author of Downsize: Living Large in a Small House and six other books.
- Iowa Farmers Union takes aim at climate change, Times-Republican
- NextEra Looks to Add Batteries to Its Existing Solar Fleet, Greentech Media
- Scottsbluff II Solar shares selling fast, NPPD News Release
- City adopts financing tool for environmentally friendly projects, Hastings Tribune
- LES offers Renewable Energy Certificates on customer bill, LES News Release
- LES funds $1.75 mil in incentives for efficiency upgrades, American Public Power Association
- Energy Savings At Home, Energy Star Resource
- Community solar facility up and running for OPPD customers, The Wire
- Interested in solar energy? Nebraska Public Power District can help make that interest a reality, NPPD News Release
- Wayne State partners with UNL to offer dual-degree program, Kearney Hub
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Thank you for all you are doing to advance renewable energy in our state!
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