Committee hears testimony on LB163 to establish Nebraska Climate Action Office within NDEE

Senator Ashley Spivey told the Natural Resources Committee she was introducing LB163 to establish a Nebraska Climate Action Office within the Department of Environment and Energy and to develop a statewide climate action plan by July 2026.

Spivey said the office would “act as a quarterback to coordinate climate initiatives across the state, including all of the agencies, local political subdivisions or governments, and community based organizations.” She emphasized the bill would not impose mandates or regulate behavior but would centralize staff and coordination to pursue federal funding and technical assistance.

Committee members asked for details about staffing and cost. Spivey and department representatives noted a fiscal note estimating roughly $710,000 to support new positions; Spivey said the department already performs related work and the legislation could be amended to create a program or office within the department rather than a standalone agency. She said staff time could be reallocated and that the bill “legislates that at least that they dedicate staff.”

Supporters told the committee LB163 would help Nebraska capture federal funds and provide coordinated technical assistance. Kenneth Winston of Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light testified in support and cited the $307 million EPA grant the state received in July 2024, saying the grant “will strengthen our rural communities, our agriculture industry, and allow Nebraska to fully realize the potential of full value of agriculture.”

Meghan Sittler of Audubon Great Plains said climate change affects bird populations, agricultural producers and communities and urged state coordination for adaptation and mitigation. Mia Perales, an environmental engineering student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, said climate action would create local job opportunities in clean energy and urged the committee to support the bill.

Proponents and stakeholders highlighted implementation priorities the office could coordinate: grant coordination for federal funds (Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, EPA awards), technical assistance to local governments and communities on electrification and efficiency projects, and support for agricultural adaptation and resiliency programs. Several proponents said a centralized office or program increases Nebraska’s ability to secure competitive federal awards.

Witnesses and committee members discussed alternatives to creating a new office. Several senators said they would prefer the work be organized as a program within the existing Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) rather than creating a separate agency. Spivey agreed an amendment could make the office a program and indicated NDEE could reallocate staff if appropriate.

The hearing record included many written submissions: at closing, committee staff recorded about 121 written comments on LB163, noting 57 proponents and 64 opponents. No formal committee vote took place during the hearing; Senator Spivey waived closing remarks and the bill remained pending before the committee.

Proponents asked the committee to move the bill forward so Nebraska can better coordinate federal funds and technical assistance for climate resilience, while some committee members urged caution about creating new bureaucracy and recommended clarifying whether the proposal should be an internal program within NDEE. The committee may consider amendments to specify staffing levels, fiscal impact, and whether the Office of Climate Action would be established as a program within NDEE.