NDEQ’s Nebraska Diesel Emission Mitigation Program has announced the opening of the 2019 School Bus Rebate Program, which will use funds from Nebraska’s portion of Volkswagen State Trust to provide rebates to replace diesel school buses. Schools across the state are being notified that applications are now being accepted and must be received by Aug. 2, 2019, to be considered for selection. NDEQ anticipates awarding 32 school bus rebates during this second year of the program.

Grant applications for the 2020 Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive, Scrap Tire, and Litter Reduction and Recycling programs can be submitted between July 3 and Aug. 14, 2019 (4 p.m. Central Daylight Time). Grant applications for the 2020 grant term dealing with the reuse or recycling of materials from flood-related cleanup work will be given priority consideration.

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, along with Director Jim Macy, head of the newly created Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, celebrated the merger of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Energy Office.

Following the passage of LB 302, the two agencies are merging into the new Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) effective July 1, 2019.

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Director Jim Macy announced today that the state is awarding nearly $968,000 to support 63 tire recycling and cleanup projects across the state. The department received over $1.4 million in eligible requests.

“The agency received many outstanding applications from across the state,” Macy said. “These funds will provide needed support to local efforts that effectively deal with scrap tires in Nebraska.”

July 8, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) Annual Report on Modeled Facilities is generated to meet the requirements set forth in 40 CFR 51.1205. This report describes the current status of areas subject to the Data Requirements Rule (DRR) for the 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). These areas were designated as in attainment with the 2010 SO2 Primary NAAQS based on results from air dispersion modeling.

July 10, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will present a Flood Debris Management Webinar at 11 a.m. July 25th. This presentation is intended for home and small business owners as well as municipalities planning for future events.

This is the first of a series of monthly webinars planned through December 2019, and is part of a new outreach effort that is the result of input received from stakeholders through the spring 2019 public outreach and program participation survey.

Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, Adams, Kearney, Phelps, Gosper, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Dawson, Thayer

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) proposes issuance of a new General Permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to prevent discharges to surface waters. CAFOs within the State of Nebraska that confine only cattle, either in open lots or under roof, are eligible for coverage.
 

Aug. 1, 2019 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy will be coordinating the annual meeting of the Nebraska Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting scheduled from10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on August 22, 2019 at 1111 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68508 in conference Room 602.

For additional information, please see the meeting agenda below, or contact Belinda Fowler at (402) 471-8697.
 

The state has issued new health alerts for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Rockford Lake in Gage County and Wagon Train Lake in Lancaster County. An alert continues at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. The alert has ended at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County.