(AP) — Nebraska’s wind power production continues to lag behind Iowa and other nearby states that offer better incentives.

Wind power development in Nebraska has been hurt because the state’s public utilities can’t qualify for the same incentives as private companies.

Critics say Nebraska should do more to encourage projects. Lawmakers are debating a couple bills to bolster Nebraska’s renewable energy incentives, but that might not be enough to make the state competitive.

Just last week, MidAmerican Energy Co. announced plans to invest another $1.9 billion in Iowa wind farms. Those projects could add as much as 1,050 megawatts of wind power.

The American Wind Energy Association says Iowa already leads the nation in wind power production. Nearly one-quarter of Iowa’s electricity comes from wind power.