Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy has announced the awarding of $1.3 million in 49 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. The Department received over $2.7 million in eligible grant requests for funding.

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.)

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.

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.

There are numerous ongoing efforts involving the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and the Nebraska Energy Office (NEO) as flood recovery efforts continue. Among these efforts are:

New 0% Loans for Interim Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

In conjunction with the U.S. EPA and numerous other organizations, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week, which runs from April 29 to May 3, 2019. For more information about Air Quality Awareness Week, visit EPA’s web page at https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/.

In recognition of the week, NDEQ is providing three articles below that focus on air quality topics, including “Wildfires and Smoke”, “Air Quality Index and Sensors”, and “Air Quality and Your Community”.

Once waters receded following the March 2019 floods, many Nebraskans found sand and sediment deposited on their fields and properties. Landowners can consider a number of potential options for sand removal, according to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Can I push the sand back into the river?