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.

Lincoln – The Nebraska Department Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are offering free testing for total coliform and E.coli for samples submitted by private well owners during the collection events listed below. In addition, information about septic systems and disposal of solid wastes will also be available.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Nebraska Department and Health and Human Services remind the public that after a flood, the owners of household wells should take certain precautions to make sure their water is safe and their well is in good operating condition.

An obvious concern is that flood water loaded with bacteria, chemicals or other pollutants may have gotten into the well. A less obvious concern is electrical shock if a non-submersible pump or any part of the well electrical system is flooded.

After a flood one should:
 

Lincoln – The Nebraska Department Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are offering free testing for total coliform and E.coli for samples submitted by private well owners during the collection events listed below. In addition, information about septic systems and disposal of solid wastes will also be available.

Nebraskans who find dead livestock that died in the mid-March floods and blizzards have until April 15 to report the carcasses to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality at 1-877-253-2603 for help in removing the animals.

NDEQ will log the information, and USDA crews will handle pick-up and disposal of the animals.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify, report and remove containers of potentially hazardous materials that were displaced by the March 2019 floods.