Latest news with #LB317
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial Boyd County fight from the 1980s and ‘90s returns to Legislature
State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, left, and Tom Brandt of Plymouth. Feb. 23, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — It's been a while since the words 'low-level radioactive waste' have been spoken on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature, but state senators revived the topic two weeks ago. During debate on a bill allowing the merger of two state agencies, a debate broke out over whether the legislation should include repeal of the 1986 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Act, a package of regulations passed amid the heated controversy over locating a waste repository in Boyd County. That controversy divided families and towns in the rural county, spawned a hunger strike by a leading opponent of the waste dump and eventually led to a judge's ruling that Nebraska must pay $145.6 million in damages for rejecting the repository, designed to dispose of radioactive waste from five central U.S. states. The radioactive waste controversy also played a role in the 1990 gubernatorial race. Democrat Ben Nelson, who opposed the waste facility, narrowly defeated then-Gov. Kay Orr, a Republican who backed the project. Lawmakers approve agency merger of Nebraska's Natural Resources into Environment and Energy Two state senators, Tanya Storer of Whitman and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, questioned the need to repeal the waste storage regulations during floor debate on April 22, and asked why it was included in a then-446-page proposal for a merger of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with the Department of Natural Resources. State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who introduced Legislative Bill 317 on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, said attorneys with the NDEE advised him that the language was 'obsolete,' and if the regulations were removed, there would be no way for a new low-level radioactive waste depository to be located in the state. Storer, whose district includes Boyd County, said that any legislation that impacts the old controversy was of great interest to her constituents. 'Removing it is helping protect Nebraska? Ultimately, this is a good thing?' she asked Brandt, who responded yes. Despite that, Conrad won adoption of an amendment, on a 34-8 vote, that would retain the low-level radioactive waste regulations in state law. I just felt it was too rushed and too risky. – State Sen. Danielle Conrad on removing old regulations for radioactive waste depositories Conrad said that her amendment would give lawmakers more time to better understand if removing the regulations was a good thing. 'I just felt it was too rushed and too risky' to remove the rules, the senator said later. The overriding bill, LB 317, ended up advancing to the final round debate. It passed this week 34-12. Storer and Conrad still opposed it. The merger had been promoted by the governor as a way to increase collaboration between the departments that deal with water quantity, water quality, solid waste and manufacturing emissions, and a way to eventually save some money. Critics said that a fiscal impact statement doesn't show any specific cost savings and that the merger was unnecessary and had been opposed by agricultural groups. Examiner Reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers approve agency merger of Nebraska's Natural Resources into Environment and Energy
Gov. Jim Pillen, top right, leads an initial meeting of his new "Water Quality and Quantity Task Force" as he eyes a merger of two Nebraska state departments and seeks to prioritize water resources in state government on March 26, 2025. (Courtesy of Office of Gov. Jim Pillen) LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to merge two state agencies this summer and create one central department intended to increase the state's focus on water. Legislative Bill 317, from State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, passed 34-12 without debate. This July 1, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources will be folded into the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, creating the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment. Gov. Jim Pillen is expected to sign the bill, which Brandt introduced on his behalf. The governor has also created a 'Water Quality and Quantity Task Force.' A revised fiscal analysis said the merger, which was expected to initially cost the state for rebranding rather than cost savings, could be absorbed. The same statement said efficiency savings could be made and realized in the 2027-29 biennium. No specifics were given. Jesse Bradley currently serves as the joint interim director of Natural Resources and Environment and Energy. The two agencies already co-locate in the same northwest Lincoln office building. Natural Resources has a budget of more than $104 million, largely from cash funds ($89.5 million). Environment and Energy has a budget of nearly $99 million, split roughly in half between federal ($48.9 million) and cash funds ($43.2 million). In addition to a new combined agency director, the state will hire a 'chief water officer' who essentially takes on the role of the director of Natural Resources. While LB 317 is 511 pages, much of that is dedicated to renaming the different departments and division directors across hundreds of state statutes. The Nebraska Association of Natural Resources Districts (representing the state's 23 NRDs), Nebraska State Irrigation Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska chapter of the Sierra Club and Nebraska Farmers Union opposed the bill at its hearing. Many opponents expressed concern at a February public hearing for the bill that the merger might divide rather than focus attention on water resources. Only Pillen, Bradley, a member of the state's budget division and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (limited to a small section of LB 317) testified in support of the bill. Brandt said he felt good that the bill passed and that the longer he met with opponents to the bill, the more that initial concerns began to fade. He noted that during the second-round debate, he sought to address concerns from a couple of senators. 'The missions won't change,' Brandt said of the merger. 'It will just become one agency.' Current: Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy The Nebraska Department of Environmental Control is established (1971). The department is renamed the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (1992). Nebraska Energy Office is folded into the Environmental Quality Department, becoming DEE (2019). State-delegated environmental health programs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, housed in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, are moved over to DEE (2021). Current: Nebraska Department of Natural Resources The State Board of Irrigation is established (1895). The board is renamed the State Board of Irrigation, Highways and Drainage (1911). The name changes again to the Department of Public Works, expanded to include the Bureau of Roads and Bridges; Bureau of Irrigation, Water Power and Drainage; and the Motor Vehicle Records Division (1919). The department is renamed the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigation (1933). The Nebraska Department of Water Resources is established as the prior department is divided into three separate state agencies, alongside the Department of Roads and the Department of Motor Vehicles (1957). The Natural Resources Commission merges with the Nebraska Department of Water Resources to become the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (2000). Future: Nebraska Department of Energy, Water and Environment Nebraska is the only state with separate natural resources districts, which were created in 1972 as multipurpose, locally elected management bodies. There are currently 23 NRDs statewide. Water management in the state is largely shared by the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environment and Energy and NRDs, with specific support from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Measure to merge two Nebraska natural resource agencies passes hurdle
A bill takes another step forward in the Nebraska Legislature that would merge two Nebraska agencies with a goal to improve management of and focus on water resources. Show here is Smith Falls State Park, Niobrara River in 2019. (Courtesy of Aaron Sanderford) LINCOLN — A Gov. Jim Pillen-pushed proposal to merge two Nebraska state agencies into a unified department in charge of water resources has moved on to its final lawmaking stage. On Tuesday, Nebraska lawmakers advanced Legislative Bill 317 on a voice vote. It calls for combining the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy into the new Department of Water, Energy and Environment. Introduced by State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, LB 317 would rename the current DEE director as the new DWEE director. The current DNR director would be renamed 'Chief Water Officer' under the new department. Pillen earlier this year named the merger as one of his legislative priorities, saying his changes would help the state be more proactive instead of reactive with water policy. Upon clearing the second round of debate, Pillen on Tuesday praised LB 317 as a 'commonsense' piece of legislation that 'reduces the scope of state government operations.' The bill was selected as a priority bill of the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee, though it has not been smooth sailing. Some people testifying at a February committee hearing argued the merger could divide rather than increase attention on water. Tuesday, questions continued. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said she was not inherently opposed but did not have enough information to determine if the idea was good or not. She said the merger was billed as a means to be more efficient but that she did not see efficiencies spelled out. 'So it's a little difficult to say, 'Oh yeah, this makes sense,'' Cavanaugh said. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said it would be more accurate to call the bill a 'rebranding.' She said the bill lacked a clear account of cost savings. Pillen plan to merge two agencies hits rough waters at legislative hearing Said State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha: 'Why are we doing this if it doesn't save money?' State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a supporter, said she was optimistic that cost savings would come as administrative roles are clarified. An updated financial impact statement attached to the bill said that costs — including a new website, letterhead and placards — could be absorbed into the current budget (an earlier estimate projected a $200,000 cost). Currently for fiscal year 2024-25, state and federal appropriations for the two departments total about $203 million, according to the impact statement. It said that over time, efficiencies of a merger are expected to result in a savings. The bill advanced with two amendments, LB 1124 by Conrad and FA 116 by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. Brandt described them as neutral or friendly. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha used the debate to push lawmakers to reconsider the size of the proposed Perkins County Canal in western Nebraska through two amendments, to the cost savings of $61 million on the first and $150 million on the other. Both amendments were defeated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pillen, eyeing merger, appoints interim Natural Resources director to lead Environment and Energy
Jesse Bradley, the interim director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources since August 2024, was tapped Feb. 12, 2025, to also lead the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy as interim director. The appointment comes as Gov. Jim Pillen has set his sights on combining the two state agencies, which requires legislative approval. (Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner | Bradley photo courtesy of Office of Gov. Jim Pillen) LINCOLN — The interim director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has been tapped to also lead the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, a first step in Gov. Jim Pillen's goal to combine the agencies. The governor announced his appointment Wednesday of Jesse Bradley to lead both departments. Bradley is the third person to lead Environment and Energy in an interim capacity since former director Jim Macy retired in April 2024. Bradley has served as interim DNR director since August, a position he also briefly held in 2020. The move comes as Pillen has set his sights on combining the two agencies Bradley now leads. Merged, they would be the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment. Pillen has said he would form a governor's task force on water quality and quantity. Many of DNR's responsibilities would continue in the merged agencies overseen by a 'chief water officer.' The merger would require legislative approval. Legislative Bill 317, introduced at Pillen's request by State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, would fold the Department of Natural Resources into the Department of Environment and Energy, effective July 1, at the start of a new fiscal year. The bill doesn't yet have a cost estimate. The proposal will be considered at a public hearing Thursday before the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee, which Brandt chairs. Pillen said in a statement that water management is critical to the state and that steps must be made to continue to innovate and improve water quantity and quality 'for the next seven generations.' 'Jesse's vast experience in that area, coupled with his ability to bridge the gap between local needs, the state and federal regulators, make him strongly qualified to lead DNR and DEE when they are combined through passage of LB 317,' Pillen said. A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to a reporter's question on Bradley's salary. Bradley has been with DNR since 2006, beginning as an integrated water management analyst. He became head of the agency's Water Planning Division in 2012 and became deputy director two years later. He has degrees in environmental geology and hydrogeology and is a licensed professional geologist in the state. LB 317 would remove the step of letting an outside group, the Environmental Quality Council, recommend names for the governor to consider to lead Energy and Environment. Pillen in his statement said he would continue to consult with the group as the legislation moves forward. The director would still need to be experienced in air, water and land pollution control. Pillen noted Bradley's role in implementing Sumner State Sen. Teresa Ibach's LB 1368 of 2024, the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act, involving close collaboration with local natural resources districts to protect the state's water, its 'most precious natural resource.' The law, which is set to end Dec. 31, 2029, provides incentive payments to farmers who use innovative technology in their farming practices, including the proper use of biological nitrogen products. Brandt said he finds Bradley very knowledgeable and well-liked, particularly by local natural resources districts. 'I have no doubt he'll do a good job,' Brandt told the Nebraska Examiner. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
