Natural Resources Committee
February 6, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Tom Brandt | Bills Heard: 3 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB247: Adjust solid waste disposal fee and establish sustainable funding for Superfund obligations
Introduced by: Sen. Barry DeKay | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska proposes first solid waste fee increase in 32 years to fund Superfund cleanup. LB247 would raise the per-ton disposal fee from $1.25 to $2.34, generating roughly $2.8 million annually to address contamination at 11 orphan Superfund sites where no responsible parties exist. The state currently pays 10% of cleanup costs under EPA contracts; after the initial ten-year period, Nebraska becomes responsible for 100% of future remediation.
Why it matters: Without dedicated funding, Nebraska risks falling out of compliance with federal Superfund law and seeing cleanup efforts delayed indefinitely. Contaminated sites—often from dry cleaners and underground storage tanks—threaten drinking water supplies and prevent property redevelopment. The fee increase would also add roughly $500,000 annually to waste reduction and recycling grants.
What they're saying: - Proponents: The fee is long overdue; adjusted for inflation, $1.00 in 1992 equals roughly $2.25 today, so the increase to $2.34 is actually below inflation. The fee remains modest compared to neighboring states and is paid by landfills, not directly by residents. Sen. Mike Moser shared his experience with the Columbus Superfund site, where dry cleaner chemicals contaminated groundwater and required years of remediation. - Skeptics: Sen. Danielle Conrad raised concerns about a broader trend of fee increases across state government and questioned whether the governor has already swept funds from these accounts, making it inappropriate to raise fees without addressing that first. Sen. Tom Brandt demanded assurance that increased revenue won't be swept into general funds.
By the numbers: Nebraska has 18 active Superfund sites; 11 are orphan sites. Current annual Superfund obligations average $2 million, potentially reaching $3 million in coming years. The fee increase would be the first since 1992—a 32-year gap.
What's next: No vote was taken. The committee requested additional information on orphan sites and cleanup timelines.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Jana Hughes, Sen. Tom Brandt, Sen. Mike Moser Skeptical: Sen. Danielle Conrad Unclear: Sen. Stan Clouse
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB459: Establish a weatherization and home energy efficiency coordination program
Introduced by: Sen. Danielle Conrad | Testimony: 18 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Senator Conrad introduces bill to streamline Nebraska's fragmented weatherization programs. LB459 would direct the Department of Environment and Energy to coordinate existing home energy efficiency and weatherization programs—including LIHEAP, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and housing rehabilitation funds—through a single point of contact or clearinghouse. The bill stems from conversations with now-Congressman Mike Flood, who identified that Nebraska's multiple programs, each with different application processes and eligibility requirements, create barriers for low-income residents and seniors seeking help.
Why it matters: Weatherization reduces energy bills, creates local jobs, improves grid reliability, and addresses Nebraska's affordable housing shortage. A $307 million federal grant awarded in 2024 includes $91 million for residential energy efficiency, but state coordination could maximize returns. Lincoln Electric System and Community Action partnership projects have reduced annual energy bills by $80–$260 per household.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Kenneth Winston of Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light emphasized that coordination achieves "more bang for the buck" and cited successful block-level weatherization projects in smaller communities that achieve economies of scale. He noted that Governor Pillen called the federal grant a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." - Skeptics: Sen. Tom Brandt questioned how the $200,000 fiscal note supports two full-time positions, given that NDEE is a pass-through agency for LIHEAP funds to nine Community Action Agencies. He requested detailed information on program eligibility, funding caps, and whether grants would be prorated to avoid duplication.
By the numbers: 18 online proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral. Fiscal note: approximately $200,000.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Conrad waived closing remarks. The committee indicated willingness to work with the department on fiscal note concerns and program mechanics.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Jana Hughes Skeptical: Sen. Tom Brandt Unclear: Sen. Stan Clouse, Sen. Barry DeKay
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB396: Eliminate duplicate budget and audit reporting requirements for public power districts
Introduced by: Sen. Barry DeKay | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska moves to eliminate redundant power district reporting requirements. LB396 strikes two sentences from state statute that require public power districts to submit budgets and audits to the Nebraska Power Review Board. The board receives these documents but takes no action on them and rarely—if ever—receives public requests for them.
Why it matters: The requirements, enacted in 1933 and 1993, create administrative burden and unnecessary costs (accounting firms send audits by certified mail) without meaningful benefit. Eliminating them streamlines operations while retaining all substantive budget and audit standards and public access to records.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Tim Texel, executive director of the Power Review Board for 27 years, testified that in nearly three decades, the board has received only two or three public requests for these documents. "It seems like there's diminishing returns for this requirement," he said. John McNally of the Nebraska Public Power District emphasized that all substantive standards remain in place and that public power districts continue to make financial documents available online and upon request.
By the numbers: The Nebraska Power Association represents all 165 consumer-owned electric utilities in Nebraska. The Power Review Board retains submitted documents for two years, then discards them.
What's next: No vote was taken. No opponents or neutral testifiers appeared. The bill appears to have broad support as a straightforward cleanup measure.
Committee sentiment: Unclear: Sen. Mike Moser
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Tom Brandt opened the hearing with procedural instructions regarding testifier sheets, time limits (five-minute green light system), and written position statement deadlines (8:00 a.m. the day of hearing via nebraskalegislature.gov). Committee members present: Sen. Stan Clouse (District 37), Sen. Danielle Conrad (North Lincoln), Sen. Jana Hughes (District 24), Sen. Barry DeKay (District 40), and Sen. Mike Moser (Platte County and most of Stanton County). Legal counsel: Cyndi Lamm. Committee clerk: Sally Schultz. Pages: Emma Jones and Kathryn (both University of Nebraska-Lincoln students). The committee heard three bills in the following order: LB247, LB459, and LB396. No votes were taken on any bills during the hearing.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.