LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has its eye on around $245 million in federal funding made available through two programs, which are designed to incentivize homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. The two programs, the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure and Jobs Act offer billions in tax credits, rebates, and block grants to states, and Nebraska wants in.

Despite the Department's willingness to apply for these funds, however, a coalition of environmental groups, business owners, and state lawmakers argue that the state isn't acting urgently enough to secure Nebraska's full share of the funding. LB560, introduced by Sen. Carol Blood, would require the state to apply for "all funds made available in Nebraska" in the Inflation Reduction Act. Blood said that she had introduced the bill after Nebraska declined to accept $120 million in federal rental and utility last year through a Covid-19 relief program. Thus far, no action has been taken on the bill.

David Holtzclaw, an engineer and owner of an Omaha-based company that provides consultation on energy and building efficiency, also believes Nebraska has not acted with the kind of decisiveness Sen. Blood suggested they should. "I've been on dozens of these webinars and there is nobody else from the state of Nebraska there," said Holtzclaw, "Or, if they are, they are not putting in the resources Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and every other state in the region is putting in."

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