With no buyer for energy, Nebraska wind farm project on hold

The Associated Press • Posted: Monday, December 2, 2013

LINCOLN — A large wind farm project planned for northeast Nebraska has been shelved because the builder couldn’t get a power company to commit to buying the electricity it would generate.

The project planned by TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, Kan., is on hold unless the company gets a deal signed to sell the energy.

Construction was to begin on the Rattlesnake Creek Wind Project in Dixon County, near the towns of Allen, Emerson and Wakefield by the end of this year so it could qualify for federal tax breaks.

Frank Costanza, TradeWind’s executive vice president, said the company is still working with local utilities in Nebraska, but that it was unlikely to come together by year’s end.

The project would produce power for about 60,000 homes.