Pollutant permits advanced

Municipalities would be required to obtain a permit to discharge pollutants under a bill advanced from general file March 24.

LB413, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, would authorize the state Department of Environmental Quality to issue permits to any political subdivision seeking to discharge pollutants from a point source into any body of water in the state.

Mello said that communities of all sizes across Nebraska face ever changing water regulations imposed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“These unfunded federal mandates come with a significant price tag for municipalities that must follow them,” Mello said. “This is a critical tool for municipalities across the state in reducing the financial burden that will be imposed upon their businesses and residents by the EPA.”

The political subdivision could request an evaluation to determine how best to meet federal requirements in a sustainable way. The department would evaluate several factors, including:
• the capability of the political subdivision to raise and secure necessary funding;
• affordability to ratepayers;
• growth potential of the political subdivision;
• efficacy of existing infrastructure for projected needs;
• overall costs and environmental benefits;
• environmental improvements made by the political subdivision; and
• other relevant economic and social concerns or environmental conditions.

A Natural Resources Committee amendment, adopted 29-0, would give the department flexibility in deciding which criteria to use in evaluating individual permits.

Committee chairperson Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala said that the amendment would make the process more effective.

“By changing the mandatory language, the Department of Environmental Quality will be allowed to use their discretion about what information will be most useful [to individual political subdivisions],” he said.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 34-0 vote.