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 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.

Construction projects that cause land disturbance can sometimes result in unintended storm water discharges. To safeguard Waters of the State, including groundwater, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) issues construction storm water (CSW) general permits that regulate storm water discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Turning on a faucet is an everyday occurrence that most people have likely taken for granted at one time or another. In reality, there is a complex set of systems and processes behind this seemingly simple action, and it takes a team of engineers to ensure that water from the tap meets all federal and state standards.

Across Nebraska, 118 communities have implemented wellhead protection plans to protect their water supplies from potential contamination. Communities voluntarily do this work through the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s Wellhead Protection Program (WHP).

Because approximately 85% of Nebraska communities receive their drinking water from groundwater, preventing groundwater contamination is vital to protect Nebraskans’ health and well-being. Through the development and implementation of a wellhead protection plan, potential sources of contamination can be managed.

The 2022 Power Summit, sponsored by NDEE and NPPD, was held in Lincoln on Oct, 6, 2022. 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.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) distributes funds from two major revolving loan fund programs to help support the development of critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in communities across Nebraska.

These two programs — the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (for wastewater treatment facilities) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund — are commonly referred to as the SRF programs, and they provide below market interest loans, grants, and loan forgiveness to Nebraska communities for pursuit of qualifying projects.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will present an outreach webinar on future changes to Nebraska's existing municipal solid waste landfill (MSWL) air quality regulations on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. This webinar is intended for owners and operators of municipal solid waste landfills, state and local regulators and the communities that host these facilities. This webinar will provide beneficial information about the following federal rules: New Source Performance Standard for existing landfills 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Cf and 40 CFR Part 62 OOO.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s (NDEE) Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program has been a leader among states in implementing pollution management projects to improve water quality and collaborating with state and local organizations and agencies.