Dec. 18, 2015 --The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced the selection of six Nebraska schools that will receive Clean Diesel reimbursements. The reimbursements will be used to help the schools replace older school buses with new buses that have certified cleaner-burning engines. This funding is made possible by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State Clean Diesel Grant program.

Dec. 22, 2015 ­— The Waste Management Division of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) invites hazardous waste generators, managers and stakeholders to participate in a second outreach meeting concerning proposed amendments to Title 128-Nebraska Hazardous Waste Regulations.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy has announced the awarding of $1,635,003 in 54 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.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy announced that the agency will host 18 meetings in nine communities across the state to discuss the federal Clean Power Plan mandate.

“NDEQ needs to determine how the state will respond to the federal Clean Power Plan, which requires substantial reductions in carbon emissions from power plants,” Macy said. “The purpose of these meetings is to first explain what is being mandated federally, and then to seek the public’s input on the strategy Nebraska should pursue in reducing carbon emissions.”

Feb. 5, 2016 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s draft 2016 Water Quality Integrated Report is now available for public review and comment.

Upon finalization, NDEQ will submit the 2016 Water Quality Integrated Report to EPA Region 7 for review and approval/disapproval as required by the Clean Water Act. All comments received through the close of business March 7, 2016 will be considered and the proposed list possibly revised.

The draft Integrated Report and methodology are provided below.

Comments may be submitted to:

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy announced the postponement of meetings in nine communities across the state. The meetings were intended to discuss the EPA Clean Power Plan mandate.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced today that it has approved the 100th online application for coverage under the stormwater construction general permit.

March 3, 2016 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is now accepting proposals from contractors for the investigation and remediation of petroleum releases where the responsible party is unknown. Proposals are due no later than 1 p.m. on April 14, 2016.

March 29, 2016 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled its annual Environmental Update workshops to be held in three locations in Nebraska this May:

Tuesday, May 17 – North Platte, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 300 Holiday Frontage Rd

Thursday, May 19 – Omaha, Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine Street

Friday, May 20 – Lincoln, Country Inn and Suites, 5353 N. 27th Street

The third annual Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference (MECC) will be held May 11-13, 2016, in Kansas City. This multi-media event is designed for those charged with managing environmental permitting, compliance and other policy issues.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) will be sending several key speakers to the event and will also host an NDEQ breakout session on May 12. For more information, visit the MECC website at www.mecconference.com.