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Planning commission recommends permit for small helium-extraction plant near Birdwood Road
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for a 40x50-foot helium extraction facility, after the applicant described vertical-well production and locals asked questions about siting, trucking and aquifer safeguards.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of conditional use application CU26-011 by Alex Brown & Sons LLC (lessee BLX Titan 2 LP) to build a 40-by-50-foot steel building to house helium extraction equipment on North Birdwood Road in an A-1 agricultural district.
Planning staff presented review materials and said they had no objection to the proposed plant. The applicant described the operation as a vertical-well helium recovery project (not hydraulic fracturing), producing a gas stream that the applicant said is approximately 93% nitrogen and 6% helium; the plant would concentrate helium to about 98% before loading it into trailers for transport. The company told the commission it expects roughly two to three trucks every three days plus one daily passenger vehicle trip for the site.
Residents asked about proximity to Birdwood Creek, how drilling is performed, notification procedures and potential environmental impacts. The applicant responded that the shed and plant will be on the east side of Birdwood Road and that the wells are vertical (drilled straight down approximately 3,500 feet). Planning staff said the county followed legal notice requirements (publication and mailed notice to owners within 300 feet) and stated that drilling, permits and production are regulated by the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. A Natural Resources District representative and other commissioners confirmed that groundwater and well permitting fall under state and NRD authority.
Following public comment and questions, the commission closed the hearing and adopted a resolution recommending approval; planning staff indicated the matter would be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action at the Monday meeting at 09:30. The commission emphasized that applicants must comply with county zoning, subdivision regulations and the comprehensive plan as part of the approval process.
