COLUMBUS, Neb. — Homes, factories, and businesses all lost power this week after freezing temperatures stretched electricity demands. The state is dotted with wind turbines meant to help supply energy - but they didn't kick in this week. Now, Nebraskans are debating the usefulness of the resource altogether.

Nebraska State Sen. Dan Hughes said Tuesday that wind is an unreliable source of energy and it didn't help when the state needed it most. But proponents say that's a misconception. 

Former Nebraska Director of Energy David Bracht said the real problem was gas generators going offline due to freezing temperatures. 

"There were apparently also a number of gas-fired generator plants that were not operating due to scheduled maintenance," he explained. 

Bracht continued that most of the supply deficit was from the state’s natural-gas power plant fleet.

He concluded that wind is a major source of energy in Nebraska, and said that the state is a "wind state" like it is a "beef state." However, he said all energy outlets should be used -- there is no singular option. 

The topic of renewable energy was already a hot topic this winter. Last week, Lancaster County held an hours-long hearing regarding turbines and whether to change regulations on the machines.

Omaha attorney David Levy, who represents several wind power companies, said turbines offer thousands of jobs, motivate road improvements, and rake in tax revenue. 

Others testified that the turbines get in the way of housing growth and distract children from learning. 

Officials with Lincoln Electric System said there is no simple solution: one resource cannot be responsible for providing all the power; as each option has its own weaknesses. 

For now, the lights are back on, and the temperature is rising.