Effective July 1, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) will become the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The Nebraska Legislature voted unanimously in support of this measure on March 15, following an earlier hearing at which NDEQ Director and ECOS Vice President Jim Macy testified in its favor. Governor Pete Ricketts, who initially proposed the merger, ratified the decision.
The merger will combine the 217-employee NDEQ with the state’s energy office, whose 15 employees primarily administer low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewables projects across the state.
If you’re interested in hearing more about state environment and energy agency consolidation, attend the ECOS Spring Meeting hot topics session on April 9 at 2-3 p.m.
