Image of a wind turbine in Nebraska
Wind energy is controversial in Nebraska. Shown is a wind turbine in Nebraska. Photo by Haley Heiden.

According to the federal National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nebraska has the potential to generate approximately 465,000 megawatts of wind energy, but Nebraska as of 2019 is only generating 4,346 megawatts with the state’s combined 974 wind turbines. That’s about .009%.

To some this sounds like an alarming waste of potential. However, more factors might lead to a different conclusion.