Welcome to a new chapter in our story series—now proudly titled All About DWEE. This change reflects a significant milestone in Nebraska’s commitment to protecting and managing our environmental and natural resources.

On May 7, 2025, Governor Jim Pillen signed LB317 into law, officially merging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR).  This merger created a unified agency:  the Nebraska Department of Water Energy, and Environment (DWEE).  The new department became effective on July 1, 2025. 

By bringing together the complementary missions of NDEE and NeDNR, DWEE is better equipped to serve Nebraska’s people, communities, and environment through a more integrated and efficient approach. From water management and energy policy to environmental protection, DWEE continues—and expands on—the vital work of its predecessor agencies.

This series will continue to highlight the agency’s programs, people, and impact—but now under a new name that reflects its broader mission and reach.  Guided by a strong mission, vision, and core values, the agency is focused on partnerships, stewardship, and innovation.

DWEE’s Mission, vision, and values:

Mission: The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment is committed to protecting and enhancing Nebraska’s water, energy, and environmental resources through science-based decision-making, strong partnerships, and cooperative efforts.
Vision: A Nebraska where water, energy, and environmental resources are sustainably managed and safeguarded through effective communications, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship —ensuring the prosperity of our communities and agricultural-based economy for future generations.

Values:

• CUSTOMERS: We will consider the impact to our customers in everything we do; customers can be internal and external to the agency.
• COMMUNICATION: We will effectively communicate throughout our organization and with our customers.
• CULTURE: We will create a proactive culture of excellence that promotes teamwork and collaboration with each other and our customers, agency & stakeholder integrity, resource stewardship, science-based decision making, and innovation.
• COLLABORATION: Proactively identifying effective solutions to support our customer’s needs.
• STEWARDSHIP: We are dedicated to the responsible management of Nebraska’s water, energy, and environmental resources—protecting these vital resources today so they remain abundant and productive for future generations.
• SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING: Utilizing the best available data and research to drive informed policies and practices.
• INNOVATION: We embrace new ideas and always ask, “How can we provide more value?”

For more information, visit dwee.nebraska.gov or  contact us at DWEE.moreinfo@nebraska.gov.