NDEE produces a monthly metrics report to measure what the agency has accomplished; to set annual and longer-term goals; and to examine these goals against accomplishments to ensure continuous process improvements.
Emerging Risks/Issues:
•The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office filed a complaint against AltEn, an ethanol facility in Mead, on behalf of the NDEE on March 1. This complaint alleges violations of the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act and the Integrated Solid Waste Management Act, as well as violations of permit conditions and orders from NDEE.
•NDEE continues to respond to the Feb. 12 digester discharge at the AltEn facility. Agency team members and the agency’s contractor have been on site to monitor cleanup efforts and have taken samples for continuous assessment.
•The Superfund/VCP section is coordinating with the DHHS Drinking Water program to sample Public Water Systems wells for PFAS near electroplating facilities in North Platte and Scottsbluff. The sampling will be conducted in March.
Accomplishments:
•The Voluntary Cleanup Program approved an application for the Tiny House project in Omaha, the former site of a filling station and auto repair shop. After additional sampling and remediation, the owner intends to build low-income housing to help people transition out of homelessness.
•NDEE added application information to the agency home page to add clarity and transparency to application processes for Air Construction, Wastewater Construction and Drinking Water and Pool Construction permits. These links provide status reports, allowing applicants to see the progress of their applications. Access the links at http://dee.ne.gov.
Miscellaneous:
•Following public comments on Cargill’s air operating permit, the Air Permit team decided to revise the draft permit as needed and resubmit the documents for public notice.
•There are currently four vacant Environmental Quality Council positions: City Government, County Government, Physician and Heavy Industry. Nine additional positions will expire June 22, 2021.