Burt County, NE - In March, storm clouds over northeast Nebraska left a historic trail of destruction in its wake, leaving many in Burt County without power.

“It had such a force to it that it snapped utility line poles halfway up,” recalls Graham Christensen, a fifth-generation farmer who manages 800 corn and soybean acres about 60 miles outside the Omaha metro area. “It’s pretty unprecedented to have that widespread of a hit with that kind of damage. Poles just snapped, and the transmission lines just dangled, holding each other up. “

Oakland, NE —A 5th-generation Nebraska farmer believes it is critical for Congress to restore National Weather Service staffing, preserve the Renewable Energy Tax Credits and other conservation grants.

Solar panels power 65% of Graham Christensen and his brother's farm near Oakland.

"Everything right now is getting some power from the solar most likely that's running on the farm," Christensen said.

It's thanks to a 20 kilowatt solar array and a 30% federal tax credit that allowed them afford it several years ago.

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Omaha, NE — The Omaha Public Power District is dead set on hitting its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. That means the use of alternative energy like natural gas, wind and solar.

Graham Christensen with GC ReVOLT, LLC said the district has made several changes as they push for their 2050 goal.

Christensen (also) said through President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners will be able to save more when installing solar panels through tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act says rebates will remain at 30 percent potentially cutting the price down for installation by thousands of dollars.

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