NCORPE considering lease to renewable energy company

Members of the NCORPE board that owns the Lincoln County augmentation project is considering leasing the 18,000-acre property to a renewable energy company. 

Members of the board will discuss the topic during a meeting today (Wednesday, Jan. 15) in North Platte.

Invenergy, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, has approached the board about leasing the property. If approved, the company will complete a four-year feasibility study to determine if the property is suitable for wind and solar projects. 

Invenergy is a privately held, global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Their
projects include wind, solar and natural gas-powered electric generation. 

The NCORPE project is jointly owned by the Upper, Middle, Lower Republican and Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts. 

During the Upper Republican’s regular meeting last week, board members discussed the lease possibilities. 

Assistant Manager Nate Jenkins said the board reached a consensus to support leasing the property.

He said the other boards are discussing the issue as well.

Jenkins said the URNRD board believes the lease can provide additional revenue that can be used to reduce the debt against the project. 

If renewable energy projects are later developed, revenue could increase substantially. It could also generate an  increase in property taxes for the taxing entities where the project is located.