Lincoln – Two state agencies, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Energy Office, will merge into the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) effective July 1, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Monday.

The merger follows the passage of Legislative Bill 302.

“This merger will make state government services more efficient, effec­tive and customer-focused,” Ricketts said. “The two agencies have a num­ber of related functions and similar goals, and their services to Nebraskans will be enhanced by combining their efforts. The newly consolidated agen­cy will be able to take a longer-term, more strategic approach to helping grow Nebraska as we work to be a good steward of our natural resources and promote energy efficiency.”

Jim Macy has served as the director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for the past four years, and he has led the Nebraska Energy Office for months as acting director.

“The two agencies have many common purposes, and we expect to see many positive benefits by combining and unifying our efforts,” Macy said. “Merging the two agencies will create greater depth in staffing and mini­mize duplication of jobs. It also improves the delivery of environmental and energy programs and policies statewide.”

A news conference was held at a construction site in the Fallbrook area of Lincoln, which will be the new location for the DEE in about a year.

Macy said the new site will house all of DEE’s employees in one loca­tion and will also have room for future expansion. He said the move would also provide cost savings compared to having staff and equipment in mul­tiple locations.

– Nebraska Governor’s Office