09/03/2015
Nebraska's beef cattle industry..."It's the state’s single largest industry and the engine that powers the state’s economy. The multiplied impact of the $6.5 billion in cattle sales each year is $12.1 billion. Cattle-related employment means income for businesses up and down main street in towns and cities across the state. In short, the beef cattle industry has an unmistakable impact on other economies in Nebraska." (Quote from the Nebraska Beef Council)
Nebraska's beef cattle industry..."It's the state’s single largest industry and the engine that powers the state’s economy. The multiplied impact of the $6.5 billion in cattle sales each year is $12.1 billion. Cattle-related employment means income for businesses up and down main street in towns and cities across the state. In short, the beef cattle industry has an unmistakable impact on other economies in Nebraska." (Quote from the Nebraska Beef Council)
Nebraska Public Power District ignores the fact that ranching is big business in our state. Ranchers aren't just pursuing a hobby. While NPPD's executives choose to invest in retirement funds with their earnings, many ranchers have chosen to invest in land as a tool of their business. In many instances, the older generation has 'stuck their neck out' and borrowed money to buy land, allowing the next generation to come back to the family business.
The R-Project isn't about NPPD's commitment to utilize more renewable energy. The R-Project isn't needed to move power to where it's used in our state. The R-Project isn't 'our' project at all, but rather a marketing tool for the Southwest Power Pool to make more profit at the expense of Nebraska's multi-generational ranching families, and those who understand the value of native prairie and the uniqueness of the Sandhills region. Ranchers have valid concerns about the detrimental effects of this project, which have been echoed by our state environmental agencies and organizations since the early planning stages. When will NPPD address these issues?
