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 rainfall, and increased swings between drought and flood. Looking forward, it presents mid and late-century projections, anticipating significant warming, shifting precipitation patterns, and declining soil moisture. Finally, the text explores sector-by-sector implications for agriculture, water resources, energy, public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems, while also outlining adaptation and resilience strategies for the state.

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 size and total installed capacity, contrasting them with more favorable policies in neighboring states like Kansas and Iowa. Despite strong public support for solar, legislative efforts to expand net metering have historically faced utility opposition, which cites concerns about cost shifts to non-solar customers. Federal incentives, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act's 30% tax credit and USDA grants, are currently driving solar adoption in Nebraska by significantly improving project economics, though potential federal policy reversals could introduce future uncertainty.

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 for this field. The text also explores advanced geothermal technologies like Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and closed-loop systems, highlighting Nebraska's geological potential and the repurposing of oil and gas wells for heat extraction. Finally, it discusses the state's unique public power grid, emerging transmission technologies like ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC), and proposals for upgrading and expanding Nebraska's grid to support clean energy export.

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.