Pioneer Brief: Federal officials back Elk Creek rare earth mine

Federal energy and export officials came to southeast Nebraska to back a $2 billion critical minerals mine, while 2nd District candidates met in their second debate and Lincoln's council chair pushed back on the attorney general.

Federal officials back NioCorp's Elk Creek critical minerals mine

The Export-Import Bank chair signed a letter of support as a proposed $840 million loan awaits final due diligence

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Export-Import Bank Chair John Jovanovic joined Gov. Jim Pillen, Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts and Rep. Adrian Smith on Wednesday at the under-construction NioCorp mine near Elk Creek. Jovanovic signed a letter of support and said approval of an $840 million loan for the $2 billion niobium and rare earth project depends on final due diligence.

Why it matters: The mine could employ up to 500 people over a 40-year life and would produce minerals now largely sourced from China, though the project still needs final approval of the federal loan.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Harding and Powell spar over affordability, immigration and Iran in 2nd District debate

The candidates for the open Omaha-area House seat met Wednesday in a debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media and the Omaha World-Herald

Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell both emphasized affordability, while splitting on the Iran war, with Harding urging a quick settlement that keeps Iran from a nuclear weapon and Powell saying she opposed the war from the start. Both supported ICE body cameras; Powell backed raising the Social Security earnings cap above $400,000, while Harding said current beneficiaries should see no changes.

Why it matters: With Rep. Don Bacon retiring, the debate gave 2nd District voters contrasting positions on costs, immigration enforcement, foreign policy and Social Security less than three weeks before Nov. 3.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Update: Lincoln council chair calls AG's fee request "political intimidation"

Hilgers says seeking fees after a successful writ of mandamus is typical

Lincoln City Council Chair Brodey Weber said Wednesday that Attorney General Mike Hilgers' request for more than $19,000 in legal fees from the city is meant to have a "chilling effect" on municipalities that challenge his office. Hilgers responded that the request is typical and is meant to ensure public officials do not ignore their constitutional obligations, as he said Lincoln did.

Why it matters: The exchange escalates a state-city dispute that the Nebraska Supreme Court will now decide, as Lincoln voters weigh charter questions on election timing and term limits on Nov. 3.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Watch Next

• Oct. 15, 1 p.m.: The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission holds a public hearing on its latest regulations at the State Office Building in Lincoln, with written comments accepted through the end of the day.
• Oct. 15: Gov. Jim Pillen will sign an executive order at the North Platte Fire Department creating a task force on emergency communication gaps among rural first responders.
• Oct. 15, 5 p.m.: The OPPD Board of Directors holds its monthly public meeting.
• Oct. 15, 6–9 p.m. CT: The second night of public hearings on Nebraska's three voter-led statewide ballot measures takes place at the State Capitol in Lincoln.
• Oct. 16, 1 p.m.: The Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee holds an interim hearing on LR 310 in North Platte on whether to recombine the Tourism Commission with the Department of Economic Development.

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