Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Celebrates Cleanup at AltEn Site; Highlights Progress and Next Steps

MEAD, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen celebrated the tremendous progress made during his administration to clean up the solid and liquid waste left in the aftermath of the shutdown of the AltEn facility site in Mead. Gov. Pillen was joined by Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) Director Jesse Bradley, Saunders County Board Supervisor Bill Reece and Don Gunster, an environmental contractor for ERM Newfields.

“Cleanup of this site was among my top priorities when I took office, and I’m proud of the fact that when we got involved, a lot of people rolled up their sleeves and collaborated to fix this problem,” said Gov. Pillen. “This cleanup has cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but it won’t cost Nebraska taxpayers a dime.”

Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, who has attended community meetings about the clean-up efforts, acknowledged the concerns he and the Governor shared in 2022 when they discussed the situation in Mead and wondered -- what if the same thing happened in their own hometowns?

“The Governor had his eye on this problem from the get-go,” added Lt. Gov. Kelly.

In addition to serving on the Saunders County Board, Reece has been a member of the Mead Community Group, which has closely monitored developments at the site.

“The Mead community and nearby residents have been resilient throughout these cleanup efforts. They know their town is worth standing up for and we’re glad to see the progress that has been made at AltEn,” said Supervisor Reece. “I want to thank the State and the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) for being responsive, responsible, professional and timely and for keeping the community informed during every step of the remediation.”

The now-closed AltEn facility made ethanol using treated seed corn, which generated pesticide-impacted byproducts that were improperly stored on site. AltEn shut down in February 2021. In June 2021, six seed companies came together and formed the AFRG to remediate the site through the state’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP). Those seed companies are AgReliant Genetics, Bayer, Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta Seeds, and WinField Solutions.

Because the AFRG is working through the VCP, the remedial actions have been completed at no cost to Nebraska taxpayers.

Through the VCP, the AFRG has carried out remedial action plans (RAPs) for the site’s wetcake byproducts and the wastewater stored in the site’s industrial lagoons. The RAP cleanup efforts completed to date include:

• Combining 84,000 tons of wetcake with solidifying material for transport and disposal at a permitted landfill
• Nearly 7,300 trucks moving over 165,000 tons of mixed material to Pheasant Point Landfill
• Treating millions of gallons of wastewater from the industrial lagoons for beneficial application to nearby agricultural fields

 The AFRG has also improved stormwater controls on site.

“There has been a lot of great work done at the AltEn facility,” said Director Bradley. “But there is more to be done, and our team at DWEE is committed to continue this work with the AFRG and the community to ensure that the site is cleaned up and the Mead community continues to thrive.”

“We have made significant progress and value the community’s partnership and support from DWEE,” added Don Gunster with ERM Newfields. “The AltEn site has been stabilized, and we are planning the remaining activities to complete the job.”

Moving forward, the AFRG will submit and complete RAPs for lagoon solids, groundwater and on-site soils, per a memorandum of agreement between the group and DWEE. Those plans will ensure that continued and sustained progress occurs at the site.  The AFRG and DWEE have also agreed to complete future off-site environmental investigations to determine if an off-site RAP is necessary.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Comments on MS-13 Gang Leader, Illegal Alien Arrest in Grand Island

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, a staunch defender of border security, released the following statement after the Department of Justice announced the arrest of a Gerson Emir Cuadra Soto, a leader of the terroristic MS-13 gang and Honduran assassin, living illegally in Grand Island.   

“Joe Biden’s immigration policies failed the American people — and continues to put innocent Nebraskans directly in danger,” said Gov. Pillen. “Cuadra Soto, a leader of the terrorist MS-13 gang and Honduran assassin, entered the United States illegally in 2022 under Biden’s watch — eventually obtaining a California driver’s license before establishing a residence in Grand Island.  

Here’s the simple truth: Weak borders put our families at risk. Thankfully, under conservative Republican leadership, our border has never been more secure. I’m proud to partner with President Trump and his team of border security hawks, including Border Czar Tom Homan and Secretary Kristi Noem as their teams track down these criminal illegal aliens and make them pay for their crimes.”  

Earlier this year, Gov. Pillen partnered with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook as a federal detention center for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  

“This is yet another frustrating case of exactly why the ICE detention facility in McCook is absolutely critical to keeping Nebraskans safe,” concluded Gov. Pillen.  

Last month, Gov. Pillen returned to the southern border to receive an update on the progress being made and to serve Thanksgiving meals to service members. It was the Governor’s fourth trip to the border, having previously deployed members of the Nebraska National Guard and Nebraska State Patrol to aid Operation Lone Star multiple times.

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402)-580-9495

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Lincoln, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Sunday, Dec. 7, in honor of the men and women who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Governor encourages Nebraskans to pause and remember the sacrifice of the more than 2300 service members and civilians on that fateful day.  

A resolution approved by Congress in 1994 designates Dec. 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and directs that flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Announces Results of Layoff Services Events for Tyson Workers

LINCOLN, NE -- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the results of efforts organized through state agencies to assist Tyson workers impacted by the approaching plant closure of Tyson Foods in Lexington. More than 740 workers attended the Rapid Response layoff services events at the Dawson County Fairgrounds on Wednesday and Thursday this week. During those two days, the departments of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) presented on employment service and assistance programs.

“Our state agencies will support these workers as long as there is a need,” said Gov. Pillen.  “Our goal is to keep these hardworking individuals in Nebraska and in positions that help provide a good quality of life in our state.”

Information provided during the sessions included programs and services available through state agencies and community organizations, including job training,  educational resources, and economic support assistance.

“DHHS is committed to standing alongside our fellow Nebraskans in the Lexington community during these challenging times,” said CEO Steve Corsi. “To date, our support teams have provided guidance and helped residents connect with economic assistance, healthcare, jobs, and mental and behavioral health resources. These efforts will continue as long as necessary. Lexington residents who couldn’t attend can still learn about available services they may be eligible for by visiting iServe.Nebraska.gov.”

The Department of Economic Development (DED) has established a web page with information about employment and community resources for individuals and families impacted by the plant closure. Information can be found at  opportunity.nebraska.gov/Lexington.

“When challenges arise, Nebraskans respond by lending a hand to our neighbors and giving generously to those in need,” said DED Director Maureen Larsen “I am grateful to Governor Pillen for his swift action to mobilize state resources and coordinate a multiagency response to assist families in the Lexington area. Thank you, also, to the numerous civic groups which have stepped up to provide support.”

The Department of Labor has scheduled additional Rapid Response layoff services sessions on Saturday, Dec. 13. Job fairs are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6; Thursday, Dec. 11; and Saturday, Dec. 13. Volunteers are needed to provide translation services at upcoming events for individuals who speak Spanish, Arabic, Samali, and Vietnamese. Individuals and organizations interested in providing that assistance can contact the Department of Labor at ndol.rapidresponse@nebraska.gov.

All workers planning to file for unemployment benefits should register online with the Department of Labor at NEworks.nebraska.gov. Registrations from the most recent two-day event totaled 280.

“The team’s efforts to help individuals register will open access to reemployment services and speed up the unemployment claim process when their employment ends in January,” Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber said.

Those unable to attend the upcoming Rapid Response layoff services session can visit the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services in Lexington, North Platte, or Grand Island.

Addresses for those locations are provided below:

Lexington: Both Labor and HHS are located at 1501 Plum Creek Parkway, Ste. 3

North Platte: Labor located at 600 Francis, Suite 9; HHS at 200 S Silber Ave

Grand Island: Labor located at 203 East Stolley Park Rd, Ste. A; HHS at 208 N Pine St

Additional information for upcoming Rapid Response sessions and job fairs is also below, including the times they are taking place.

        Saturday, Dec. 6: Job Fair at Lexington Middle School; 1100 N Washington St; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

        Thursday, Dec. 11: Job Fair at Dawson County Fairgrounds; 1000 Plum Creek Parkway; 9:30-11:30 a.m and 2:30-4:30 p.m.

        Saturday, Dec. 13: Job Fair at Lexington Middle School; 1100 N Washington St; 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. & Rapid Response Layoff Services at Lexington Middle School; 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Statement on Illegal Alien’s Attack on Omaha Police

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement after the Omaha Police Department released the identity of the suspect in Wednesday’s shootout that injured four Omaha officers. 

“Juan Melgar-Ayala, a convicted felon in our country illegally from El Salvador, started a shootout with Omaha police this week — and paid the price. Not long ago, in August, a coordinated effort between ICE and Nebraska law enforcement led to the apprehension of a murderous, most wanted MS-13 kingpin who was using our state as a hideout. 

Sadly, after years of lax Biden-era border security policy, every state is now a border state. That’s why I believe the ICE detention facility in McCook is an absolute necessity. Nebraska must continue to do its part to assist President Trump, his Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security in their efforts to get criminal, illegal aliens off our streets. This keeps Nebraska safe. It keeps America safe. I’m proud that we are stepping up and making a difference for our country. 

Thank God the OPD officers shot by Melgar-Ayala face non-life-threatening injuries. The men and women of law enforcement are heroes — and protect us every day.”