NE LB503

Counties may apply to the Department of Revenue for "American energy friendly county" designation, either by county board resolution or by voter referendum, in exchange for additional tax revenue from privately developed renewable energy generation facilities

Qualifying counties must permit renewable energy facilities by right in all zoning areas allowing structures, with no variances or special permits required, and must limit setback requirements to 3x turbine height from dwellings and 1.1x height from property lines for wind; 300 feet and 100 feet respectively for solar

Renewable energy facilities in designated counties pay a nameplate capacity tax at 1.5 times the standard rate of $3,518 per megawatt, with all proceeds going to the county where the facility is located

Counties cannot impose height limitations on facility components, sound requirements stricter than 50 decibels measured at nonparticipating dwellings, or decommissioning requirements beyond existing state law

Creates the American Energy Friendly Counties Fund to reimburse eligible counties for consultant and attorney fees incurred while revising regulations to qualify for the designation