Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition

08/24/2026

Congratulations to the City of Lincoln for becoming a recipient of the Bloomberg Climate Action fund! Investing in young leaders and community-driven climate solutions helps build a more resilient future. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas this program brings to our community. (https://www.bloomberg.org/government-innovation/spurring-innovation-in-cities/youth-climate-action-fund/)

08/17/2026

Electric vehicle adoption continues to grow in Nebraska. The projects that EVs could account for half of global car sales by 2035, and Nebraska is already seeing that momentum. (https://lnkd.in/dW7RTbMB)

According to Frontier Group, Nebraska had 6,304 registered EVs in 2024—40 times more than in 2014. The state's charging network has also expanded significantly, growing to 696 public charging ports, more than 6 times the number available in 2015.(https://lnkd.in/gH8yDcaK)
As EV adoption increases, drivers can benefit from lower operating costs while helping reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

08/10/2026

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in Nebraska!

How do you get around your community? What transportation challenges do you face? Whether you drive, bike, walk, ride transit, carpool, or use another mode of transportation, we want to hear from you!

Your feedback will help us better understand transportation needs and identify opportunities to improve mobility, accessibility, and transportation options across Nebraska.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and every response helps paint a clearer picture of how Nebraskans travel.

Take the survey here: go.unl.edu/tesurvey

Please consider sharing this survey with your friends, family, coworkers, and community organizations. The more voices we hear, the better we can understand transportation needs across our state.

Thank you for helping us build a more connected Nebraska!

Help shape the future of transportation across Nebraska. The Nebraska Clean Cities & Communities transportation equity survey gathers input on community needs, experiences, and challenges to better understand transportation choices, access, and opportunities statewide. Your feedback helps us connect...

08/03/2026

Could Nebraska Farms One Day Fuel Their Own Tractors?

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln recently received two methane-powered New Holland tractors to research how alternative fuels can support the future of agriculture.

The tractors will initially run on compressed natural gas (CNG), but researchers are exploring the potential of biomethane—renewable natural gas produced from livestock manure and other organic waste. For some farms, that could mean turning waste into a valuable energy source to help power agricultural equipment.

The research will examine real-world performance, fuel efficiency, and how renewable fuels can fit into modern farming operations while providing producers with additional fuel options.

Projects like this demonstrate how Nebraska continues to be a leader in exploring innovative transportation and agricultural technologies that support farmers, strengthen energy resilience, and create new opportunities for homegrown fuels.

MEAD, Neb. — Husker scientists have a pair of new tractors to break in, and they could some day be fueled by farmers as New Holland donates methane-powered equipment to the University of Nebraska…

07/31/2026

2026 Nebraska Legislative Session - Green Transportation & Energy Policy Update

Nebraska’s 2026 session saw limited expansion of new clean transportation programs, but significant debate and action around fuel taxation, grid capacity, and large energy users. While renewable energy incentives faced increased scrutiny, biofuels and fuel taxation policy remain central to transportation funding discussions impacting state fleets, cities, and counties.

07/08/2026

At NEC4, we’re proud to partner with forward-thinking stakeholders like the City of Lincoln Government who are advancing solutions that support public safety, fiscal responsibility, and a more resilient future.

Lincoln recently unveiled two 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EVs added to the Lincoln Police Department fleet — the first pursuit-rated electric police vehicles in Nebraska!

This milestone builds on the City’s broader progress through its Climate Action Plan. A newly released report highlights a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2011, reflecting steady, measurable impact.

Now on the streets, these Chevy Blazers deliver real benefits:

Projected maintenance costs drop from $2,120 to $742 per vehicle annually

Energy costs average about 3¢ per mile, compared to 22¢ for a gas-powered cruiser

That’s a win for taxpayers, for officers, and for Lincoln’s air quality.

With 41% of Lincoln’s light-duty fleet now powered by electric or alternative fuels, the City is making strong progress toward its goal of a fully transitioned fleet by 2040 — a clear example of what’s possible through innovation and collaboration.

Learn more about the Resilient Lincoln initiative: https://lnkd.in/gsHVsDNZ

07/01/2026

Rising diesel costs are putting pressure on school transportation budgets across the country—including right here in Nebraska.

Recent reporting shows diesel prices paid by fleets have surged sharply over the past year, with school districts nationwide facing major budget strain as fuel costs climb. Some districts are now cutting routes, tapping reserve funds, or shifting dollars away from classroom programs just to keep buses running.

U.S. school buses alone consume more than 800 million gallons of diesel annually, making them one of the largest public fleet fuel users in the country.

While Nebraska is beginning to see early adoption of alternative fuels, most school buses in the state still rely on diesel today, leaving districts exposed to fuel price volatility and long-term budget uncertainty.

This is where renewable and alternative fuels matter—not just for emissions, but for energy security and financial stability.

Some districts are already showing what’s possible closer to home. Omaha Public Schools has significantly reduced its reliance on diesel through investments in propane-powered school buses, demonstrating how fuel diversification can help stabilize costs while still meeting daily route demands.

Energy diversity isn’t just an environmental conversation—it’s a transportation and budget resilience strategy for Nebraska schools.

Reach out to us to learn more about how alternative fuels can support your district.

06/29/2026

NEC4 has been on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus engaging with college students to better understand what they are looking for in electric vehicles.

In a recent listening session, students shared that while interest in EVs is growing, there are still common questions around cost, charging access, range, and battery life—and that many students have limited baseline exposure to EV ownership and infrastructure. We also heard that hands-on experiences are one of the most effective ways to build understanding and confidence.

Building on that feedback, we hosted a ride-and-drive event with Tesla on East Campus, where around 40 students and faculty participated and had the opportunity to test drive multiple EV models and ask questions directly with experts.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the conversations so valuable, and to our partners for supporting the event.

06/27/2026

Lincoln is quickly becoming a hub for data infrastructure. From a $600 million project by Google near Interstate 80 to facilities like the Sharp Building and the State of Nebraska’s own data center, investment is accelerating.

But this rapid expansion comes with new infrastructure demands. Large-scale data centers require significant amounts of energy and water for cooling, adding new pressure to local utilities and resource systems. As demand grows—particularly with AI and cloud computing—communities are increasingly evaluating how these facilities interact with long-term energy and water capacity.

Why this matters for transportation:

⦁ Rising electricity demand can strain the grid, which may affect the pace and cost of large-scale transportation electrification

⦁ Increased load reinforces the need for additional low-carbon energy sources and grid resilience strategies

⦁ Highlights the importance of an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, especially for fleets that require reliability today

As Lincoln expands its data infrastructure, the energy and water choices made today will shape not just the grid, but the future of reliable, low-carbon transportation across Nebraska—making a balanced, diversified energy strategy essential to meeting growing demand.

06/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Juneteenth booth in partnership with Lincoln Electric System (LES) and took part in our Transportation Equity Survey! We appreciated the opportunity to connect, hear your experiences, and talk about transportation choices and access in our communities.

Thank you to Whitehead Oil Company. and U-Stop Shops for sponsoring our survey!

Missed the event but still want to share your perspective? You can still take our Transportation Equity Survey here: go.unl.edu/tesurvey. Your feedback helps us better understand transportation needs and opportunities across Nebraska.