LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s 2023 Clean Diesel Rebate Program is now accepting applications for agricultural irrigation pump diesel engine replacements. Applications must be submitted to NDEE by Dec. 7, 2023, to be considered.

The Clean Diesel Program uses grant funding to reduce public exposure to diesel engine exhaust, which can cause a variety of respiratory problems in addition to contributing to production of harmful ozone.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation Friday, Oct. 6, recognizing October as Energy Awareness Month.

Energy Awareness Month aims to highlight the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation. Energy efficiency is using technology that requires less energy to perform the same function and energy conservation is any behavior that results in the use of less energy.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will hold an informal information session regarding revisions to Title 117 – Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will coordinate the annual meeting of the Nebraska Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. The meeting is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon on September 7, 2022, in room 24 of the NDEE Building at 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Lincoln.
 

AGENDA

9:30 am Introductions/housekeeping/open meetings - Andrew Hug

9:45 am Welcome – Jim Macy (invited)10:00 am State and federal environmental developments that impact Nebraska small businesses

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) updated and issued the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Industrial Storm Water (ISW) general permit on April 1, 2022.

The updated ISW permit replaces the previous iteration, which took effect in 2016. Facilities operating under the previous permit must renew coverage no later than September 28, 2022.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Big Indian Lake in Gage County, Rockford Lake in Gage County, Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County, Iron Horse Trail Lake (Wildlife Management Area) in Pawnee County, and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County.

Maskenthine Reservoir, Willow Creek Reservoir, and Iron Horse Trail Lake remain on alert this week after also being on alert last week.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County, Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, and Iron Horse Trail Lake (Wildlife Management Area) in Pawnee County.

All four lakes remain on alert this week after also being on alert last week.

Big Indian Lake in Gage County, Rockford Lake in Gage County, and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County have been removed from health alert after being on alert last week.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Iron Horse Trail Lake (Wildlife Management Area) in Pawnee County and Oliver Reservoir in Kimball County.

Iron Horse Trail Lake remained on alert this week after also being on alert last week.

Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County, Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County, and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County were all removed from alert after being on alert last week.

The 2023 Power Summit, sponsored by NDEE and NPPD, was held in Lincoln on Oct. 5, 2023. The Power Summit provides those in the power generating industry and those responsible for the implementation of the associated environmental regulations with an opportunity to exchange information related to power production, environmental policies, programs, and issues in Nebraska.

A primary objective of the Summit is to enhance the dialogue that has been established between the power industry and the associated regulatory agencies.

Burning can be a convenient way to remove overgrown brush or fallen tree limbs from a property, especially in the wake of late-summer and early-fall storms that can often pop up across Nebraska.

Open fires, though, are prohibited by Nebraska state law as a means to protect air quality and the health and well-being of Nebraska residents.