The Seward City Council continued discussion on the possibility of building a 1.7 megawatt wind turbine.
The turbine would be located less than 10 miles west of Seward, just south of McKelvie Road.
During the May 3 meeting, the council discussed a preliminary purchase agreement with Bluestem Energy Solutions of Omaha, the organization the city has been working with on the project.
Seward City Administrator Bruce Smith said Nebraska Public Power District allows the city to purchase 2 megawatts of its energy from renewable sources.
Adam Herink of Bluestem Energy said the price for wind energy is lower than NPPD’s energy price and the city would be locked into its agreement with Bluestem, and that price for 25 years.
Larry Ruether, the city’s electric and power resource director, said at peak usage, Seward uses 20 megawatts of power. He added that’s usually in the summer when many residents are using their air conditioning.
Smith said wind energy won’t make up a large portion of those 20 megawatts, but it is green energy to sell to residents and businesses.
“For some people, that’s important,” Smith said.
The council took no action on the agreement, but entered into executive session to strategize on negotiations with Bluestem.
During the council’s March 1 meeting, Herink said prices are not made public until the agreement with the city is signed.
