Jesse Bradley, director of the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE), outlined several agency milestones reached over the last few years during Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s Open-Media Cabinet Meeting April 20.  

Initiated by the Governor, DWEE was established on July 1, 2025, following the passage of LB317, which merged the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy.  

“This merger has helped the state better focus its efforts on water management in terms of both water quality and quantity,” said Director Bradley. “In addition to creating efficiencies for permit approvals, and bringing together surface and groundwater management experts, we estimate the merger will save taxpayers $1.8 million in its first fiscal year alone.”

In 2023, Gov. Pillen worked with the Legislature to secure $1 million to study nitrate in Nebraska’s drinking water. The results of that study prompted Gov. Pillen to establish the Water Quality and Quantity Task Force, in June 2025. Bradley said the Task Force presented 14 goals that focus on actionable steps to improve water quality and quantity across the state. The goals are included in the Task Force’s full report, issued in March of this year.

“These action items outlined in the report will be a priority for our agency to implement in the coming months,” Bradley said. 

Bradley added that DWEE’s ONE RED program will be a key resource in supporting several of the Task Force goals.  DWEE received $307 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency for energy efficiency projects across multiple economic sectors, which is being administered by the ONE RED program. 

“As all of us cabinet members know, the Governor has strongly encouraged us to seek Nebraska’s fair share of federal funds,” Bradley said. “[ONE RED] funds will complement the action items identified by the Water Task Force and provide a generational investment of almost $200 million in precision and regenerative agricultural practices that will improve water and nitrogen management while also supporting increased profitability.” 

Bradley also spoke of the status of the Perkins County Canal, which is a critical investment to protect Nebraska’s water supply. 

“This represents the most significant water infrastructure investment ever made by the State,” Bradley said. “This project will ensure the South Platte River will continue to flow into Nebraska for use by irrigators, power providers, municipalities, and the environment all across the state.”

In 2023, the Governor and Nebraska legislature provided $628 million for the canal project, which is currently 60% designed. The project has initiated the federal permitting process, as well as land acquisition in Colorado and Nebraska. Bradley said the canal is on track to meet its goal to be operational by the end of 2032.

Other accomplishments Bradley highlighted include:

• The passage of LB1261 (2026), which allows private companies to build large-scale electric generation with their own funds. Bradley said this bill will ensure Nebraska’s electrical rates remain low, while its reliability remains high.
• The environmental cleanup efforts at the AltEn site in Mead. Last fall, more than 165,000 tons of material was removed from the site, and the next phase of remediation is proceeding with community support and continued commitment by those responsible parties for site restoration and long-term monitoring.