Environmental Law & Policy Center » Developing Clean Energy

Michigan Radio: Power line fight in the U.P.

Kcoleman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:36:42 +0000

“New power lines would cut a swath for more than a hundred miles through northern forests, and they’d be expensive,” says a story by Bob Allen for The Environment Report. ELPC is working to ensure the proposed new transmission lines are studied thoroughly instead of fast-tracked through a proposed special process. Read the story.

Guest Commentary in the Detroit Free Press: Cleaner air standards under attack in Congress

Kcoleman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:33:12 +0000

Read the Commentary.

Wind Industry Executives Join ELPC at U.S. Capitol

Kcoleman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:39:47 +0000

Today, wind industry executives joined ELPC at the U.S. Capitol to convey the urgency of extending the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for the wind industry. Their message: This vital tax credit means good-paying rural and urban jobs for real people, and it means investment and innovation for America’s future. Because of the long lead time to develop, manufacture and install wind power, executives urged Congress to act now in order to avoid halting development in 2013, which would permanently hamper the U.S. wind supply chain.

Read more comments on Twitter @ELPCenter #ptcbriefing

Fox Business News reported the story here.

Illinois Gets Charged-Up for Electric Cars

Kcoleman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:16:20 +0000

This Public News Service article quotes ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner and discusses ELPC’s new affiliate website, PlugInChicagoMetro.org.

Milwaukee J-S: Groups oppose rush toward northern Wisconsin power lines

Kcoleman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:56:42 +0000

ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: “Consumers should not be asked to pay for $1 billion of new transmission lines running through Wisconsin’s North Woods, without a full and fair review of alternatives that might save money and prevent the disruption of key habitats and natural areas.” Read the article.

Chicago Tribune: Coal plants dominate list of Chicago’s biggest polluters

Kcoleman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:53:21 +0000

According to this Jan. 22nd article in the Chicago Tribune: “Illinois’ largest single corporate polluter is Midwest Generation, the company that owns the Crawford and Fisk coal plants in Chicago and four more in the suburbs of Joliet, Romeoville and Waukegan and in Pekin in central Illinois. Burning coal from Wyoming and other Western states, the plants emitted more than 31 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2010, an amount equivalent to the tailpipe emissions of about 6 million cars.” Read the article.

$1 Billion Transmission Proposal Should Receive More Thorough Review of Costs and Alternatives, Not Fast-Tracked Special Treatment

Kcoleman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:31:41 +0000

Environmental Law & Policy Center and Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin Call for Fair Review

A massive $1 billion proposal for transmission lines that would run through Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula should not be allowed to continue on a special, fast-tracked “out-of-cycle” approval process, according to the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin (CUB)

American Transmission Company’s (ATC) proposed “Northern Plan” transmission proposal is being reviewed on a rapidly accelerated schedule by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO), a regional organization that manages access to the electricity grid. MISO granted the faster, out-of-cycle review process because of WE Energies’ statements that it might shut down the Presque Isle coal plant in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette, Michigan. Recently, WE Energies and Wolverine Power Cooperative announced a joint venture to explore retrofitting the coal plant with modern pollution control equipment and continuing to run the plant.

“Consumers should not be asked to pay for $1 billion of new transmission lines running through Wisconsin’s Northwoods, without a full and fair review of alternatives that might save money and prevent the disruption of key habitats and natural areas,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

According to the groups, a more thorough, normal review process should include a consideration of the cost impacts of siting, as well as a detailed consideration of alternative transmission routes. The proposed high-voltage transmission lines would run through the Northwoods in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

“Should we spend many years and consumer dollars to analyze the technical details of a plan that might not even happen because of the significant natural resources and other concerns it already raises,” asked Charlie Higley, Executive Director of Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin. “Should we build transmission lines through one state to primarily serve another state? These are questions MISO should ask – and answer – after careful review.”

Although the MISO review process is closed to the public, MISO agreed to allow ELPC and CUB to submit expert comments for its consideration. Read them here.

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The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. www.ELPC.org

Indianapolis Star: Is Bear Run coal mine putting Hoosiers at risk?

Kcoleman — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:55 +0000

The Bear Run coal mine will soon become the largest — and least regulated — coal mine in the Eastern United States. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has decided to “rubber stamp” the mine with the same weak general permit that governs many small mines in other parts of the state, rather than fulfill its obligation to protect Hoosiers and aquatic life. As ELPC Staff Attorney Jessica Dexter tells the IndyStar, the idea that a mine the size of Bear Run is not a project IDEM thinks “could have a significant impact” is ludicrous. Read the article.

ICC Orders Workshops to Develop Distributed Solar REC Procurement Program

Kcoleman — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:01:11 +0000

The Illinois Commerce Commission issued its Final Order in the case approving the Illinois Power Agency’s 2012 Procurement Plan. The Order should trigger a productive and inclusive workshop process that will result in an Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) procurement program for distributed solar projects. There were 37 public comments submitted to the ICC supporting solar DG workshops. Read the public comments here.

Chicago Tribune Editorial by Howard Learner: Mercury Pollution Reduction Standards Protect Children’s Health and the Great Lakes

Kcoleman — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:35:33 +0000

In the Chicago Tribune’s lead editorial on Dec. 28th, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner discusses why the EPA’s recently announced federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standard is good for public health, the environment and the economy. Illinois enacted strong state standards in 2006 and has proven that it’s possible to control pollution from coal plants. The new federal rules will level the playing field among coal plants in all states. Read the editorial.