August 2022 Monthly Metrics
NDEE produces a monthly metrics report to measure what the agency has accomplished; to set annual and longer-term goals; and to examine these goals against accomplishments to ensure continuous process improvements.
Accomplishments
- EPA approved NDEE’s request of $760,140 for Section 128(a) FY22 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. This amount is 1.5 times the amount of NDEE’s regular annual allocation for this program. The Section 128(a) program provides Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments; asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold surveys; Brownfield property inventories; cleanup planning activities; and partial assistance for asbestos abatement to Nebraska communities. The Section 128(a) assessments can be used by communities to meet the federal “All Appropriate Inquiry” rule for obtaining CERCLA liability relief and to assist in redevelopment and reuse of a brownfield property.
- NDEE completed final agreements with Nebraska lenders to participate in 16 loans through NDEE’s Dollar & Energy Saving Loan Program this month. For those 16 loans, nearly $235 thousand was distributed by NDEE to fund energy efficiency and renewable projects. Projects included high performance HVAC systems, energy efficient windows and doors, and several solar installations.
- Demand for water operator certification courses continues to be high. The remaining two Grade 4 courses scheduled for this year, in Fremont (September) and Grand Island (December), are currently full.
Miscellaneous
- EPA is scheduled to host an outreach meeting in Columbus on September 21 to share information about public health risks posed by ethylene oxide emissions (EtO). Becton Dickenson Pharmaceutical Systems in Columbus uses EtO to sterilize medical equipment and materials. EPA is planning to propose updated National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants NESHAP for EtO by the end of 2022. NDEE will attend the meeting.
- NDEE has scheduled hearings regarding two new OPPD peak power generating stations under construction – Standing Bear Lake (120th Street and Military Road, Omaha) and Turtle Creek (South 168th and Fairview Road, Sarpy County). The air construction permit for Standing Bear Lake is open for public comment until October 3, 2022, and the air construction permit for Turtle Creek until October 12, 2022. Public hearings were requested on these projects. The hearing for Standing Bear Lake will be in Omaha on October 4, and the hearing for Turtle Creek will be in Gretna. Both hearings begin at 6:00 p.m.