LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's plan to merge two state agencies to form the Department of Water, Energy and Environment ran into opposition from key agricultural and conservation groups at a public hearing Thursday. Through a proposed law sponsored by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth at Pillen's request, the governor is asking lawmakers to merge the Department of Environment and Energy with the Department of Natural Resources in a move that Pillen said would create efficiencies and help the state safeguard its water quality and quantity for generations to come.

at a Thursday public hearing on LB317, representatives from Nebraska agricultural and conservation groups argued the bill won't do either of those things — and could distract from the state's focus on shoring up its water supply. Critics also lodged concerns over the uncertainties left by the bill and the governor, who suggested it would save taxpayer dollars but declined to detail where the state might find efficiencies upon merging the two agencies.

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