Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Mike Linder announced today that the state is awarding $1.93 million to support 101 tire recycling and cleanup projects across the state.

"Nebraskans pay a $1 fee for every new tire they purchase," said Linder. "These grants put that money into use locally to help manage scrap tires. We like to see the highest possible beneficial use of these old tires, and these projects help us reach that goal."

Nebraska's 2013 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public comment. The Network Plan was developed to comply with new Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 58.10.

The Network Plan describes the existing ambient air monitoring network in Nebraska and sets forth planned changes through 2014. It also contains information relative to network operations and planning. During the 30-day public comment period, written comments regarding this Network Plan may be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) at the mail or email addresses below.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Mike Linder today announced the awarding of $1,366,514 in grants for waste reduction and recycling projects. The grants are available through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund. This fund is generated by a fee on solid waste disposed of in landfills (disposal fee), an annual retail business sales fee (business fee), and a fee assessed on the sale of new tires for motor vehicles (tire fee). Tire fee grants totaling $1.93 million for projects related to tire recycling were previously announced in June.

The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2014 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.

Sept. 5, 2013 -- NDEQ has cancelled a hearing that had been tentatively scheduled for September 9, 2013 related to proposed amendments to the Nebraska State Implementation Plan filed with the Environmental Protection Agency. The proposed amendments would incorporate revised regulations of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Air Pollution Control Program Regulations and Standards which were adopted in June, 2012.

Annette Kovar, Legal Counsel for the Nebraska Department of Environmental, recently received national recognition from a professional association of distinguished lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law.

The American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) announced that Kovar was one of 20 environmental lawyers who were elected to be Fellows of the organization for the year 2013.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced that limited funding is available to 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.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Acting Director Pat Rice has announced the awarding of $2,006,707 in 51 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 Acting Director Patrick Rice today announced the awarding of $4,296,581 in grants through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund.

“These funds are used for a wide variety of projects to reduce waste, promote recycling and address the issue of scrap tire piles,” Rice said. “The grants will provide support to important local environmental improvement efforts across the state.”

The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2015 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.