Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition

06/10/2026

Start your day the sustainable way with UNL’s Summer Coffee Rides.

Sustainability on Wheels, in partnership with HealthierU, invites employees to join relaxed, beginner-friendly bike rides to The Mill at Nebraska Innovation Campus. These rides support a healthier campus while making biking more accessible and reducing transportation barriers.

Participants will enjoy a guided ride, a complimentary coffee voucher, and free use of a bike and helmet. The pace is easy and suitable for all experience levels, including those in work attire.

Dates: June 16, July 30
Time: 6:50–8:00 AM
Location: Outdoor Adventures Center – 930 N 14th St

Ride, connect, and take a simple step toward a more sustainable community. For more information, click the link below.

https://lnkd.in/g5D3HpGb

05/20/2026

Yesterday, May 19, Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed May as — and it also comes during Clean Air Month, a reminder of the important role cleaner-burning fuels can play in protecting public health and supporting American energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, biodiesel and renewable diesel can reduce emissions by approximately 74% compared to petroleum diesel, while corn ethanol has been shown to reduce lifecycle emissions by roughly 40–50% compared to gasoline.

Replacing petroleum-based fuels with renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel can also support important public health benefits — including reduced exposure to harmful air pollutants linked to cancer risk, fewer premature deaths, and lower rates of asthma attacks.

Renewable fuels also support Nebraska agriculture, rural communities, and homegrown energy production.



Nebraska Ethanol Board; Nebraska Soybean Board; Renewable Fuels Nebraska; Nebraska Corn Board

05/18/2026

Thank you to our congressional champions and to all of those who voted YES on year-round E15! The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, bringing the county one step closer to permanent year-round E15 access. The final House vote was 218 to 203, with broad bipartisan support.

For fleets, this means more consistency and more reliable access to lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel options year-round.

While E15 has been approved by the EPA since 2011 for vehicles 2001 and newer, outdated seasonal restrictions tied to Reid V***r Pressure (RVP) regulations have created unnecessary complications during summer months, based on longstanding concerns that E15 could contribute to higher smog-forming emissions than E10. However, scientific data and real-world use under emergency waivers have consistently demonstrated E15’s performance as a cleaner-burning fuel. This bipartisan legislation modernizes that policy by extending the same treatment to E15 and removing an outdated regulatory barrier that has created uncertainty for fuel retailers, fleets, and consumers.

A permanent year-round solution would provide:
- Greater fuel supply certainty and accessibility
- Reduced seasonal fuel disruptions
- More flexibility for fleet fueling operations
- Potential fuel cost savings
- Additional tools for fleets working toward sustainability and emissions-reduction goals
- Continued progress toward cleaner transportation and lower-carbon fuel options

“This marks a crucial step on the path to year-round E15,” said Ben Rhodes, Nebraska Ethanol Board Executive Director. “While we’re not over the finish line yet, House passage of HR 1346 represents years of tireless effort on common sense legislation allowing E15 to be sold all year nationwide.”

Special thanks to Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith and the many bipartisan champions who helped move this legislation forward.

The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration, where supporters are urging swift action to provide long-term certainty for fuel retailers, fleets, producers, and consumers nationwide.

05/14/2026

This Renewable Fuels Month we're recognizing how renewable fuels are already part of Nebraska’s transportation system.

Ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel—made from crops like corn, soybeans, and sorghum—are helping power vehicles and fleets today.

These fuels can help:

· Reduce fuel costs
· Lower maintenance needs
· Support domestic energy production
· Improve air quality

Interested in adding biofuels to your fleet? Send us a message!



Nebraska Ethanol Board Nebraska Soybean Board Renewable Fuels Nebraska Nebraska Corn Board

05/14/2026

05/08/2026

Happy Renewable Fuels Month, Nebraska!

It's May and we are joining Nebraska's ag industry in celebrating cleaner transportation powered by a mix of homegrown energy sources.

From ethanol made from corn and sorghum to biodiesel made from soybeans, these fuels are already helping power vehicles and fleets across the state—reducing emissions while supporting reliable, domestic energy.

Multiple fuels. One goal: a more efficient transportation system.

Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Soybean Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Nebraska Corn Board

05/04/2026

NEC4 was proud to host our first-ever Renewable Fuels Summit in February, bringing together over 60 industry participants to explore the future of clean transportation in Nebraska.

Attendees learned about multiple fuel options, including ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas (CNG/RNG), and propane, and how the right choices can drive economic value and operational success for Nebraska fleets.

Panels covered:
⦁ Fuel production and low-carbon benefits
⦁ Fuel performance and drop-in compatibility for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles
⦁ Nebraska’s role in the fuel value chain, including production, local availability, infrastructure, and supportive policy
⦁ Practical adoption strategies from Nebraska fleet managers, including costs, incentives, and return on investment

The Summit was an incredible opportunity to share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and advance collaboration across the renewable fuels industry in Nebraska. Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend and a huge thank you to our sponsors: Bio Nebraska, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Soybean Board, and MegCorp!

04/29/2026

The Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Lincoln–Lancaster County Planning Department are hosting an upcoming in‑person and virtual Public Open House on May 19th to gather feedback and share information regarding various subjects in sustainability and local decision making. Lincoln MPO is also a valued stakeholder of the Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition, supporting coordinated efforts throughout Lancaster County regarding vital transportation obstacles.

Use this opportunity to give your opinion on many key issues in housing, development, and sustainability.

See the attached flyer for the open house date, time, and other information regarding the event.

04/27/2026

Happy National County Government Month!

In recognition of the essential work counties play in helping Nebraska thrive, Governor Jim Pillen declared April as County Government Month.

Nebraska's 93 counties are key partners in building a greener Nebraska. From supporting clean transportation initiatives to helping fleets adopt alternative fuels, counties have the power to drive local solutions that reduce emissions and strengthen our state’s energy economy.

NEC4 helps counties across Nebraska support alternative fuels and cleaner fleets by providing education, technical assistance, and grant support. Please reach out to see how we can collaborate to make our communities greener, reduce emissions, and strengthen the state’s energy economy!


Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) National Association of Counties

04/22/2026

On March 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the largest Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) in the history of the Renewable Fuel Standard during the Great American Agriculture Celebration at the White House. These record-setting RVOs don’t just grow one fuel—they accelerate an entire mix of practical, scalable clean energy solutions for transportation today.

What’s changing:
• 2026 biomass-based diesel: 5.4 billion gallons (up from 3.35 billion in 2025)
• 2027 biomass-based diesel: 5.7 billion gallons

What it means for clean transportation:
• Ethanol continues to expand access to lower-cost, lower-emission fuel options like higher blends (E15, E30) for everyday vehicles
• Biodiesel & renewable diesel see major growth, especially for medium- and heavy-duty fleets where electrification can be challenging
⦁ Renewable propane is a coproduct of biodiesel and renewable diesel production, and increased output leads to more renewable propane available for fleets

Imported feedstocks—like used cooking oil from China—will now qualify for full tax credits, raising new questions about domestic biodiesel production and market competition.

Growth at this scale reinforces the role of renewable fuels as a ready-now solution for reducing emissions across the transportation sector.

The move would increase biomass-based diesel requirements, from 3.35 billion gallons in 2025 to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026, supporting American row-crop growers in the process.