Pilots in Nebraska will soon have additional protection under a new law that adds teeth to requirements for marking meteorological evaluation towers (METs).
Legislative Bill 469, which AOPA strongly supported, was signed into law on May 27 by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, Nebraska is ranked fourth in wind energy resources in the nation. METs are widely used in the state by wind power generating companies to gather wind data. The towers are typically smaller than 200 feet tall and can be difficult to see.
The state previously required METs at least 50 feet tall and outside the boundaries of an incorporated city or village to be marked and registered with the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. But because the earlier law did not have an enforcement provision, many tower owners failed to comply. The new law adds an enforcement provision and brings marking requirements into line with FAA guidelines.
Under the new law, failing to comply with marking and registration requirements is considered evidence of negligence.
To view a current listing of registered METs within the state, visit the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics website.
