The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) continually works with new and existing businesses, industries, and municipalities across the state to protect, preserve, and enhance our air, land, water, and energy resources by issuing required permits, offering grants and loans, and assisting all entities to manage wastes and protect our shared environmental resources. 

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy recommends private drinking water well owners sample their wells annually to know their drinking water quality.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) aims to reduce diesel engine emissions through the Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program.

Established in 2008, the Clean Diesel Rebate Program funds the replacement of older diesel school buses and trucks with newer, cleaner-burning alternatives. The program has also funded the replacement of diesel irrigation engines with electric equipment.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) provides several ways to share news with the public, the regulated community, and other stakeholders.

Press releases, web updates, and social media play a large role in these communications. But DWEE can reach its audiences directly through their inboxes using our listserv mailing lists.

Here are the listervs DWEE has available. These listservs are free, and anyone may sign up to receive updates.

Outreach and Assistance Listserv

During emergency situations, oil spills or other hazardous materials can pose an additional risk to the public and the environment. That is why the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) assists the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in its role as the emergency support function for Oil and Hazardous Materials Response (ESF 10).

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) compiles, maintains, and publishes energy statistics on the production and consumption of energy in the state of Nebraska as part of the agency’s State Energy Program.

The statistics are valuable to public and private sectors as they inform Nebraskans, researchers, and decision-makers on energy in the state.

Data used in the statistics originates from state and federal agencies, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, associations, utilities, cities, and private industries.

In July 2023, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) Brownfields Program added a new facet of technical assistance available to communities looking to redevelop contaminated properties by offering orphan tank removal.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) administers the Mineral Exploration program. The Mineral Exploration program is a separate program from DWEE’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) program and regulates under authority of different titles.

The Mineral Exploration program reviews and issues permits, conducts inspections, and performs compliance reviews for holes drilled, driven, bored, or dug for the specific purpose of mineral exploration. All mineral exploration permits are geared toward the protection of groundwater.

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) has announced the award of more than $958,000 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding to 12 Nebraska communities.

Nebraska received EECBG funds from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This grant supports local communities in implementing high-impact, self-sustaining clean energy projects.

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) has extended the Request for Proposal submission deadline for a qualified contractor to administer the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Douglas County. Proposals will be accepted through May 28, 2024*. Request for Proposal materials are found here.