2020 Boards and Commissions

Environmental Quality Council

General Information

Formal Name:Environmental Quality Council
Contact Person:Annette Kovar, Legal Counsel, Department of Environment and Energy
Purpose:Adopt standards, rules and regulations administered by the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE); submit list of candidates to Governor for selection of DEE director.
How Many Affectable:NA
How Many Served:NA
Year Created:1971
Year Active:1971
Sunset Date:None

Authorization

Authorization Citation:Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-1503
Parent Agency:Department of Environment and Energy

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:17
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes
Qualifications Of Members:Council members represent: the food manufacturing industry; conservation interests; the agricultural processing industry; the automobile or petroleum industry; the chemical industry; heavy industry; the power generating industry; crop production; labor; the livestock industry; county government; municipal government (two members, one of which represents cities not of the primary or metropolitan class); a professional engineer; a biologist; a representative of minority interests; and a doctor with knowledge about the human health aspects of air, water and land pollution.
Per Diem:$40
Expense Reimbursement:Actual and necessary expenses
Term Length:4 years
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 17-18:2
Held FY 17-18:3
Required FY 18-19:2
Held FY 18-19:3
Required FY 19-20:2
Held FY 19-20:2

Operations

Support Staff:0
Shared or Separate:Shared with Department of Environment and Energy
FY 17-18 Budget:DEE Budget $14,541
FY 18-19 Budget:DEE Budget $14,541
FY 19-20 Budget:DEE Budget $11,339
Other Funding Sources:Federal funds
Spending Authority:None. This is considered part of the agency's indirect costs agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2016:FY 16-17August 30, 2016 meeting: Approved amendments to Title 119 Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.November 15, 2016 meeting: Approved amendments to Title 119 -- Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; Approved the Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program 2017 Funding Percentage Allocations.June 13, 2017 meeting: Approved amendments to Title 131 Rules and Regulations for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Drinking Water Construction Assistance Program; Approved the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan for State FY 2018; Approved amendments to Title 129 Nebraska Air Quality Regulations.FY 17-18November 15, 2017 meeting: Approved the 2018 Litter Percent Allocations.March 30, 2018 meeting: Approved amendments to Title 116 Code of Ethics; Approved amendments to Title 194 Rules and Regulations for the Disposal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste.June 21, 2018 meeting: Approved the 2019 Intended Use Plan and Project Priority Lists for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.FY 18-19November 15, 2018 meeting: Approved the 2019 Litter Percent Allocations; Approved amendments to Title 197 Rules and Regulations for the Certification of Wastewater Treatment Operators in Nebraska; Approved amendments to Title 198 Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Agricultural Chemical Containment; Approved amendments to Title 133 Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program; Approved amendments to Title 199 Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants Program; Approved amendments to Title 120 Rules in 401(1)a Certification.April 3, 2019 meeting: Approved amendments to Title 129 Nebraska Air Quality Regulations; Approved amendments to Title 117 Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards; Approved amendments to Title 131 Rules and Regulations for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Drinking Water Construction Assistance Programs; Approved amendments to Title 115 Rules of Practice and Procedure.June 19, 2019 meeting: Approved the 2020 Intended Use Plan and Project Priority Lists for Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund; Approved amendments to Title 123 Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Wastewater Works; Approved amendments to Title 196 Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Ground Water Management Areas.FY 19-20November 7, 2019 meeting: Approved Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program 2020 Funding Percent Allocations; Approved amendments to Title 195 Chemigation Regulations; Approved amendments to Title 135 Rules and Regulations for Mineral Exploration Holes; Approved amendments to Title 200 Rules and Regulations for Petroleum Release Remedial Action Reimbursement Fund; Approved amendments to Title 197 Rules and Regulations for the Certification of Wastewater Treatment Operators in Nebraska; Approved amendments to Title 198 Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Agricultural Chemical Containment; Approved amendments to Title 129 Nebraska Air Quality Regulations. June 25, 2020 meeting: Approved 2021 Intended Use Plan and Project Priority Lists for Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.