Senator Deb Fischer - News Releases

SEN. FISCHER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO ATTEND KEYSTONE PIPELINE PUBLIC MEETING

4 May 2010 00:41:59 GMT

(Lincoln, NE) �Sen. Fischer announces that the US Department of State (DOS) will be holding a public meeting regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline Environmental Impact Study on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in Atkinson. The meeting will take place at the Atkinson Community Center located at 206 W. 5th Street. This is one of 19 meetings to be held across the state on the study. The public is invited to attend this public meeting to provide oral and written comments for the administrative record. “I strongly encourage citizens to attend this meeting to learn about the impact statement and share any concerns they may have�, stated Sen. Fischer.

The DOS prepared the study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and worked in with additional agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of the Interior � Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture � Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Utilities Service. The study assesses the potential impacts of the proposed crude oil pipeline and related facilities that will run through Nebraska.

The study is available for download from the following website, www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov or at public reading rooms and libraries. The DOS will accept comments on the study in the following formats:

Comment in person at a public meeting
Mail comments to: Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone XL Project Manager, U.S. Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, DC 20520.
Fax comments to : (202) 647-1052
Email comments to : xlpipelineproject@state.gov
Comment via the Keystone XL EIS website: www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov

For questions and additional information, please contact Senator Fischer�s office at 402-471-2628 or dfischer@leg.ne.gov.

SEN. FISCHER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO FILL OUT DEPARTMENT OF ROADS SURVEY

30 Apr 2010 00:40:58 GMT

(Lincoln, NE) � With funding for Nebraska�s highway system hitting historically crisis levels, State Senator Deb Fischer of Valentine, encourages local government officials and the traveling public to fill out a Department of Roads� (NDOR) survey that was recently released. Senator Fischer is chairperson of the Legislature�s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

“I think most people have become aware of the fiscal crisis we are facing in Nebraska with regard to highway funding,� Senator Fischer said. “While we have less revenue, at the same time we are facing higher costs in our highway construction program. Now, more than ever, we need to be able to prioritize the needs of our transportation infrastructure and the efforts of NDOR.�

NDOR periodically prepares a Long Range Transportation Plan for the state. The Department has designed a survey to gather input to identify statewide, regional and local transportation issues facing Nebraska. The survey results will guide NDOR in developing goals and objectives for the Long Range Transportation Plan: Vision 2032.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the average citizen to participate in his or her government so that our limited resources can be used in the most efficient manner and according to the priorities of the traveling public,� Senator Fischer said.

All responses will be kept anonymous and will be reported in the aggregate. The survey takes approximately fifteen minutes to complete. The survey is open to the traveling public and those who travel or distribute goods throughout the state.

Anyone willing to fill out the survey can access it on the internet at www.roads.nebraska.gov/lrtp/vision2032/. The survey deadline is May 21, and results will be posted later this summer.

“I encourage everyone to take the time and fill this survey out,� Fischer said. “Not only will NDOR be able to effectively plan for the future, but the Legislature will be guided in its pursuit of additional highway funding with the limited resources available.�

Nebraska Community Improvement Program�s (NCIP) Regional Nomination Training in Ainsworth

12 Feb 2010 00:40:58 GMT

Lincoln, Neb. � Senator Deb Fischer announces that the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) will be hosting a regional nomination training in Ainsworth, NE on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 7:00-9:00 PM (CT). The training will be held at the Golden Steer at 1013 E. 4th Street. “I encourage representatives from across the 43rd District to attend these free trainings,� said Senator Fischer, “This is an opportunity for communities to learn how to organize and complete projects that are important to our Main Streets.�

The training will examine the 2010 NCIP nomination process, provide how-to nominating tips, and talk about the 2010 NCIP Awards Guide. The workshop will also provide information on the website nomination submission for the Governor�s Community Spirit Award. Workshops on planning and volunteer recruitment & retention will offer concrete steps for preparing communities for future economic growth and development. Community organizations new to NCIP also will learn how to effectively participate in the program.

NCIP recognizes the leadership, community and economic development efforts of Nebraska's communities and multi-communities. These communities organize to plan their future, set goals, determine priorities and implement project action plans. Since 1963, the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) has assisted communities in meeting challenges while building on the vitality of their strengths and resources. NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and investor-owned natural gas and telephone companies.

Below are more details on the other trainings across the state:

February 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. � Nebraska City, Arbor Bank, 911 Central Ave.
March 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. � Hartington, Public Library, 106 S. Broadway St.
March 4, 6-8 p.m. � Gothenburg, Public Library, 1104 Lake Ave.
March 9, 6-8 p.m. � Alliance, Knight Museum, 908 Yellowstone Ave.
March 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. � Potter, Duckpin Bowling Alley, 324 Chestnut St.

The training is free of charge; however attendees must register to attend. To register visit www.neded.org/ncip. For questions and additional information, please contact Senator Fischer�s office at 402-471-2628 or dfischer@leg.ne.gov.

Nebraska Energy Office Hosting Comment Sessions and Accepting Online Comments for a New State Energy Plan

28 Oct 2008 20:47:20 GMT

The Nebraska Energy Office has recently announced that it will be holding public comment sessions across the state for the purpose of drafting a new State Energy Plan. The Energy Office is asking for Nebraskans to provide comments and input regarding the state�s policy and approaches to energy use. State Senator Deb Fischer, representative of the 43rd Legislative District and a member of the Natural Resources Committee, encourages involvement from citizens in the district and across the state in order to ensure that our state�s future energy plans are consistent with the energy development desired by Nebraskans. Senator Fischer stresses the importance of considering reliable and affordable energy sources in order to develop sustainable energy. Three areas of energy that will be the focus at the comment sessions are energy independence, job creation/economic development, and energy efficiency for government. The comment sessions will be a combination of on-site commentary and video conferencing. The following are the dates and locations of the scheduled comment sessions: October 29, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Broken Bow, Paddock Room, 1710 Cherokee Lane, Custer County Fairgrounds October 30, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Scottsbluff, University of Nebraska Panhandle Research Center, Bluestem Room November 3, 1:00-4:00 p.m. CT Chadron, Chadron State College, Burkheiser Hall, Room 109, 10th & Main St. Valentine, Cherry County Coop Extension, Conference Room, 132 South Hall St., Suite #1 Norfolk, NECC, Maclay Building, Room 122, 801 E. Benjamin Ave. November 5, 1:00-4:00 p.m. McCook, MCC, McMillen Hall, Room 208 Hastings, Hastings Public Library, 2nd Floor, 517 W. 4th St. November 6, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Mahoney State Park (near Ashland), Riverview Lodge November 7, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Nebraska City, Steinhart Lodge, 125 Steinhart Park Rd. In addition to the comment session sites, the Energy Office will accept written comments through 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2008, at energy@nebraska.gov or at the Nebraska Energy Office, P.O. Box 95085, 1111 O Street, Suite 223, Lincoln, NE 68509. The Energy Office will have the 2009 Nebraska Energy Plan available for viewing online on October 28, 2008, at http://www.neo.ne.gov/energyplan.htm. The final plan will be released on January 1st and will include multiple recommendations for carrying out the state�s energy plan. Senator Fischer encourages everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to provide opinions about our valuable energy resources and their uses in Nebraska.

BECA Grant Opportunity for Rural Communities

8 Jul 2008 14:41:20 GMT

The Rural Development Commission is accepting applications for Building Entrepreneurial Communities (BECA) grants. The grants are available for counties and communities that meet the conditions of Limited Resource Areas or Chronic Distress as described in the application at www.ruralnebraska.info. State Senator Deb Fischer has emphasized the importance of these grants in building and sustaining programs that support and assist with development in rural communities. This past session the Legislature passed LB 609 creating a new grant category that allows communities to market themselves to attract new residents from outside of Nebraska. Two or more collaborating communities and counties may apply for the grant, which can be a maximum of $75,000 per project. “Past recipients of BECA grants have established worthwhile programs for enhancement and development in their communities,� said Senator Fischer. “The Legislature�s recent expansion of the grants to include marketing outside of the state is a significant opportunity to focus on growth and showcase the quality of our communities.� “Several District 43 communities have directly benefited from current BECA grants, and I encourage all communities to take advantage of these available grants for continued progress,� said Senator Fischer. A BECA grant was awarded for 2006-07 to the City of Bassett and Rock County for “Spend the Day in Rock County,� an event for area residents and employers. Holt County is also a past recipient of a BECA grant totaling $30,000 for a business development strategy within the cities and villages of Holt County. Valentine and Cherry County partnered to advance leadership and entrepreneurship programs with a BECA grant. All of the communities provided the required matching funds. The criteria, eligible activities, and step-by-step guidelines and training are also available at the Department of Economic Development�s website, www.ruralnebraska.info. The use of these tools is encouraged to ensure accuracy and that all necessary qualifications are met when completing the application. The deadline for submitting an application is 12:00 p.m. (CDT) on August 15th, 2008. For questions and additional information please contact Linda Fettig of the Rural Development Commission at (308) 380-4966 or Linda.Fettig@nebraska.gov.