LINCOLN - Two state agencies will be merging into one with the goal of better serving Nebraskans.

Governor Pete Ricketts announced the official merger of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Nebraska Energy Office at a press conference on Monday morning at the site of the agency's planned new building in Fallbrook.

Ricketts shared that the joining of the entities will allow the state to better serve Nebraskans by combining resources to provide better services while also addressing staffing issues.

"Ultimately what Nebraskans should see is better service," Ricketts explained. "There won't be any changes. It will be the same people that are serving them. That's why we had unanimous support from the Legislature as well as the support from businesses."

The two departments will officially combine on July 1st and will be called the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.