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ASHFORD SUPPORTS EXPANSIVE BIPARTISAN ENERGY BILL

Ashford voted in support of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015. The bill streamlines the federal approval process for hydroelectric generation facilities and natural gas transmission lines. The legislation also improves the Department of Energy’s ability to coordinate with other agencies to strengthen our electrical power grid system and requires the Energy Department to expedite decisions on pending applications to export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

$111,000 CDBG funds awarded for water/wastewater project

Federal funds are made available to DED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program to assist with the development of businesses and communities throughout the state. Funding requests for the program are administered by DED and are available to local Nebraska governments and counties with populations less than 50,000

Eight public works projects share $1.9 million in CDBG funding

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded eight Nebraska communities with $1,942,193 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to pursue projects in the public works category.

$1.84 million awarded for owner-occupied housing rehab in seven communities

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $1,847,600 as part of the 2015 Nebraska Affordable Housing Program to seven communities to pursue owner-occupied rehab housing projects. Funding comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant program that is administered by DED

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled for Saturday September 26

Lincoln and Lancaster County residents are encouraged to clean out unwanted chemicals by bringing their household hazardous waste to a collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 26 at Lincoln Industries, 600 West E St. This event is sponsored by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

Recycling Grants Available

The City Public Works and Utilities Department today announced that $40,000 in grant funding is available for projects or programs serving Lincoln and Lancaster County that reduce the amount of solid waste material taken to the landfill. Non-profit organizations, schools, political jurisdictions and businesses are eligible to apply

City Has Inspected New Apartment Complex for Life-Safety Issues

A representative of the City Building and Safety Department said this morning that seven building code issues at the new Prime Place apartments remain unresolved, but none are considered life threatening. Officials conducted code inspections for the complex at 11th and "Y" streets last week before students were allowed to move in. Four of the issues deal with lighting for the parking area

Road Improvement Projects Continue

N.W. 27th Street from "O" to Vine streets is set to close Saturday, August 22 for road and ditch maintenance work. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained, and any access restrictions will be coordinated with the property owner. The project involves shaping and surfacing the entire roadway and adjacent ditches, and is expected to be completed by Sunday, August 23.

Projects Will Close Sections of Rock Island and Billy Wolff Trails

Beginning Monday, August 24, the Rock Island Trail will close from the south side of "A" Street to where it joins the Billy Wolff Trail near 27th Street. Trail users are advised to take the sidewalk on the south side of "A" Street east to the Billy Wolff Trail. This closure is necessary for a water quality improvement and educational project at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. The project will reduce runoff and promote infiltration at the Zoo site to reduce pollution flowing into Antelope Creek Features will include bioretention and bioswale areas, permeable pavers and educational signage

Another Week, Another EPA Overreach

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued yet another set of sweeping regulations, which the agency is calling the “Clean Power Plan.” Released by the Obama administration on Monday, this red tape will likely force hundreds of coal-fired power plants to shut their doors, killing jobs and increasing the cost of energy across the state of Nebraska.

Annual Transfer Ordinance Includes Parks and Recreation Projects

This year's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) transfer ordinance includes adjusted funding for the "N" Street protected bikeway, the Woods Tennis Center renovation and a new greenhouse. The City Council will consider the ordinance on first reading at its meeting Monday, August 10, and the public hearing will be Monday, August 17. The ordinance, which is introduced at the end of every fiscal year, is necessary to close out some capital construction projects and to adjust funding among others.

Smith Responds to EPA’s New Power Regulations

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement today after the Obama administration announced plans to finalize its Clean Power Plan to regulate emissions from U.S. power plants.

ASHFORD STATEMENT REGARDING RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARDS

Rep. Brad Ashford (NE-02) issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to carve-out nine billion gallons of ethanol from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, in 2015 and 2016

PSC Allows Big Rivers Deal to Sell Electricity in Nebraska

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a settlement that permits Big Rivers Electric Corp. to sell wholesale power to several customers in Nebraska. In an order issued today, the PSC said revenue from the contracts – although relatively modest - should help pay a portion of Big Rivers’ fixed operating costs that would otherwise be borne by its Kentucky customers.

Short-Term Bill Allows for Long-Term Highway Solution

Many Nebraskans are hitting the road for vacations and family gatherings during the dog days of summer. Earlier this month, AAA estimated nearly 42 million Americans would travel over the Fourth of July weekend, with approximately 85 percent driving to their destinations.

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Mayor Says User Fees Increases Help Prevent Property Tax Hike

Mayor Chris Beutler today said user fee increases helped his administration meet its main objectives for the City's first biennial budget - no property tax increase, no major program cuts and no use of one-time money for ongoing programs.

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NIFA’s Homeownership Team Announces Top Producer and Shining Star Award Winners

NIFA’s Homeownership team recently held annual lender training meetings at the LaVista Conference Center on October 17th and at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte on October 18th. At these events, awards were presented to the Top Producers and Shining Stars. Top Producer awards are given to the top ten loan officers who originate the most NIFA loans for first-time homebuyers in Nebraska in 2015.