HARRISBURG — In bone-dry Banner County, clouds of dirt drift into the sky as rumbling tractors till the sun-baked soil.
A map of wind facilities in Nebraska shows wind speeds throughout the state. The dark purple band cutting Banner County in half indicates where the two wind projects would have gone.
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One of the meteorological towers set up by energy companies in Banner County to study the potential energy a turbine placed in the area would create. The county, home to just 625 people, was once poised to hold as many as 300 wind turbines.
One of many missile silos located in Banner County. Many of the silos are arranged in a grid pattern and spaced roughly 6 miles apart. Placed here during the 1960s, the Air Force silos, which house nuclear weapons, are now hampering a massive wind energy project.
Tom May examines the growth of his recently planted wheat. May, who has been farming in Banner County for more than 40 years, says his wheat has never been as impacted by drought conditions as it is this year. May, who had contracted with wind energy companies to allow wind turbines to be placed on his ground, says that an Air Force rule change now won’t allow a single wind turbine on his land.
A map of missile silos under the watch of F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo. Green dots are launch facilities, and purple dots are missile alert facilities. There are 82 missile silos and nine missile alert facilities in western Nebraska, an Air Force spokesperson said.
Many wind turbines can be found in Kimball County. That area of Nebraska is one of the best places in the United States for consistent, high-speed winds, energy experts say.
20 photos that show Nebraska's beauty
Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks
Erosion formed Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks, which became landmarks for wagon trains making their way west in the 1800s.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
A beautiful shot of land and water at the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock, which is featured on the Nebraska state quarter, greeted travelers in covered wagons on the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.
Stone Creek Falls
You can see Stone Creek Falls at Platte River State Park.
Dirt road in Nebraska
A dirt road stretches into the distance on the Nebraska prairie.
Grasshopper and a bee
As a grasshopper hangs on, a honeybee flies to the nectar of a bright sunflower in a yellow field west of Adams along Highway 41.
Toadstool Geologic Park
Toadstool Geologic Park in northwest Nebraska is home to unique rock and geologic formations.
Corn and grain elevator
Football isn't the only reason Nebraska is known as the Cornhusker State. Thousands of fields across the state are filled with the golden grain.
Smith Falls
Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in Nebraska.
Sandhill crane migration
With tens of thousands of sandhill cranes crowding the sky and strips of land along the Platte River, the annual migration is a sight to see in Nebraska. This March 2011 photo was taken near Rowe Sanctuary.
Omaha Skyline
A recent legislative report shows the tale of two cities where Omaha is concerned -- one black and one white -- according to state Sen. Ernie Chambers.
Pioneers Park Nature Center
The Hudson Cabin, built in the 1860s, was moved to Pioneers Park Nature Center in Lincoln in 2010.
Sky and fields
A beautiful sky over a field north of Lake McConaughy.
Indian Cave State Park
Fall colors erupt at Indian Cave State Park.
Sunset at Lake McConaughy
Sunset paints the sky over Lake McConaughy.
Nebraska State Capitol Building
The Nebraska State Capitol Building in Lincoln.
Elk in Pioneers Park
A pair of American elk hunker down in the high grass at Pioneers Park Nature Center.
Middle Loup River
Canoeing is a popular activity along the Middle Loup River in Hooker County.
Chadron State Park
Hikers take in the beauty of Chadron State Park.
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
Geese and pelicans roam across a road at the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari.
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