The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Swanson Reservoir in Hitchcock County.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lake measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

Jan. 4, 2019 – Applications for this round of Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive (WRR) grants are now available online. Applications are being accepted between January 2 and February 13. 2019. The waste grant application process guidance webpage, which includes a link to create an application, is located at /forms/publications-grants-forms/was066.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 2018 Clean Diesel Rebate Program has re-opened the application submission period for rebates to replace eligible diesel irrigation engines with all-electric equipment. The new application deadline is 5:00 PM Friday, Feb. 22, 2019.

Over $3.1 million in funds that the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has recently received from the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust are now beginning to be distributed to local recipients for diesel vehicle replacement programs.

NDEQ received payments from the VW Trust Funds to support two projects:
 

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy has announced the awarding of $1.3 million in 49 grants for litter cleanup, recycling, and public education programs and activities. Funds for the Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program are generated from a fee charged to certain manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of products that commonly contribute to litter. The program has been providing grants annually since 1979. The Department received over $2.7 million in eligible grant requests for funding.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 2018 Clean Diesel Rebate Program has re-opened the application submission period for rebates to replace eligible diesel refuse trucks with new trucks fueled by diesel or compressed natural gas. The new application deadline is 5:00 PM Friday, March 8, 2019.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is partnering with the Nebraska Power Association (NPA) to co-host the Nebraska Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Conference on March 25 in York. The conference is intended for those interested in installing public electric vehicle chargers and also for members of the public interested in the development of public electric vehicle charging in Nebraska.

Conference time and location: 10 a.m. March 25 – Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave., York. (On-site registration and exhibits start at 9 a.m.)

There is a new phone number in effect for reaching the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality after normal business hours, for those who are required to immediately report environmental spills, accidents or potential violations to the Department. The new number for after-hours notifications is (402) 479-4921. This phone number replaces (402) 471-4545.

March 4, 2019 -- NDEQ is conducting a periodic review and update of the standardized Conditions I and II used in air quality construction permits (CP) and air quality operating permits (OP). These changes are intended to unify permit conditions and streamline the CP and OP permitting processes. The draft restructured conditions language can be found at the bottom of this webpage.

March 7, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has developed a short electronic Public Outreach and Program Participation Survey to determine how to best focus the agency’s efforts to “Make Compliance Easy”. This survey has been developed to engage those involved with the agency, including those subject to environmental rules, and those who seek assistance in the form of grants, loans or environmental support.