Major wind energy development is now occurring in the northern plains, especially on the Buffalo Ridge in southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa where over 450 MW of wind energy generation potential will be installed by early 1999. Determining the best location for future wind energy development in the relatively flat plains is an expensive and time consuming process. I have developed a GIS-based model for wind energy prospecting in Nebraska. This model pinpoints locations where future wind farm development may be economically feasible. Unlike earlier GIS-based models used in the plains, this model has actual hub-height data for validations. The model accurately predicts wind energy classes or wind speed ranges. This model will allow developers to concentrate their resources on the most promising sites