Environmental Law & Policy Center » Solving Global Warming

Victory! Chicago Coal Plants to Shut Down

Kcoleman — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:09:28 +0000

Victory! Chicago Coal Plants to Shut Down

After more than a decade of advocacy by ELPC and our many allies in the Chicago Clean Power Coalition, two of the oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the nation will close. The Fisk plant in Pilsen will shut down later this year and the Crawford plant in Little Village will shut down in 2014.

For more than 10 years, ELPC has provided the legal counsel to the effort to shut down these damaging plants. This effort has included active participation in the Chicago Clean Power Coalition, a ground-breaking grassroots campaign to make Chicago coal-free.

For more information, please see the Chicago Clean Power Coalition Press Release, some victory celebration photos on our Flickr page, and media coverage from:

Associated Press: Deal to Shut Chicago’s 2 Coal-Fired Plants Reached
Crain’s Chicago Business: City’s Last 2 Coal-Fired Power Plants to Close; Waukegan Could Be Next
Chicago Tribune: 2 Coal-Burning Plants to Power Down Early
ABC7 Chicago: Chicago’s 2 Coal-Fired Plants to Close
Chicago Sun-Times: Editorial – Credit Grass-Roots Effort for Victory Over Pollution
NBC5 Chicago: Residents Rejoice Closure of Fisk, Crawford Coal Plants

Also, you can listen to a podcast of our March 2nd webinar here.

ELPC Study Finds Over 250 Solar and Wind Energy Businesses in Wisconsin

Kcoleman — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:01:05 +0000

The Environmental Law and Policy Center’s new study of Wisconsin’s solar and wind energy supply chain finds that 171 Wisconsin companies are part of the wind energy supply chain and 135 Wisconsin companies are part of the solar energy supply chain.

The solar and wind industries provide over 12,000 jobs in Wisconsin. This job growth has been supported for years by utility incentives and state policies like Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and Focus on Energy Program. However, Wisconsin’s recent political and policy shifts have undermined clean energy development and job creation.

“Wind and solar energy development have created new jobs and business growth that Wisconsin needs,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “With over 250 local companies ready to grow, Wisconsin’s leaders should be looking for ways to advance public policies that encourage renewable energy development and progress in the state.”

ELPC surveyed businesses statewide to identify Wisconsin companies that are actively participating in the renewable energy supply chain. The list includes steelmakers, electrical component manufacturers, engineering firms and other longstanding businesses that are profiting from renewable energy development, as well as start-ups and small businesses developing cutting edge clean energy technology. For example:

Caleffi sells solar thermal systems and components from its Milwaukee office. “Solar is a real job creator in Wisconsin and across the United States and one of the biggest generators of growth for Caleffi,” said Rex Gillespie Caleffi’s Director of Marketing.

Oshkosh-based wind manufacturing company Renewegy builds and installs light commercial wind turbines. The company plans to add 50 new employees in the coming years. “Not only do we manufacture and employ workers here in Oshkosh, but 90 percent of our components are sourced from Midwestern partners,” said Dana Enz, Renewegy’s VP of Sales. “As we grow, they grow.”

Smart state and local policies can make a big difference in creating economic development and new jobs for the solar and wind sector. Helios recently opened Wisconsin’s first solar panel manufacturing plant in Milwaukee. Low-interest loans provided by the state and the City of Milwaukee convinced Helios to locate in Wisconsin. “The Midwest is getting close to becoming a real solar hotspot,” said Helios’ General Manager Brent Brucker. “A little more foresight on the part of a state legislatures and this region could really take off.”

As part of its effort to promote economic growth and environmental progress through clean energy development, ELPC has also completed wind and solar supply chain studies for Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio. Across these five states, ELPC has identified more than 1,000 clean energy businesses employing over 50,000 people.

To download a copy of the report visit www.elpc.org/WisconsinEnergy

New National Air Pollution Standards Will Create a Healthier Nation and a Stronger Economy

jgeiger — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:49:38 +0000

Statement by Howard A. Learner, Executive Director,
Environmental Law & Policy Center

“Preventing just one death is heroic, and EPA’s new pollution reduction standards do even better by preventing tens of thousands of premature deaths and heart attacks and avoiding hundreds of thousands of illnesses.

Reducing soot and smog can alleviate asthma and help people’s health in ways that make good economic sense. The EPA’s Cross State Pollution Rule will generate up to $290 billion in annual health and welfare benefits, which greatly exceeds the pollution clean-up costs.

These long overdue clean air standards will create new jobs as utilities hire skilled workers to install modern pollution control equipment and replace the oldest, most highly polluting coal plants with cleaner new energy sources.

Today, we celebrate the beginning of a healthier nation and a stronger economy by reducing air pollution that has been both harming our health and draining our wallets.”

Read US EPA’s final cross-state air pollution rule here: http://www.epa.gov/crossstaterule/

Download ELPC’s mercury report 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

Video: Gov. Granholm Discusses Clean Energy, Electric Cars, Jobs

Kcoleman — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:47:56 +0000

Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat in the Supreme Court AEP Decision

Kcoleman — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:51:08 +0000

On June 20th, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against the rights of six states, New York City and three private land trusts to sue under federal common law to prevent global warming. The Justices stated that the Clean Air Act ‘speaks directly’ to emissions of carbon dioxide from coal plants.

Some are trying to spin this decision as a defeat for environmentalists, but the reality is that the Court’s opinion reaffirms the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority use the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The decision should speed up EPA’s implementation of greenhouse gas standards by making legal challenges to the effort more difficult.

Read more about this recent decision in American Electric Power, et al. v. Connecticut et al. in ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner’s recent Huffington Post blog entry.

Also read about the case in Forbes Online or Grist.org.

Howard Learner and Exelon CEO John Rowe in Chicago Tribune: New Clean Air Standards Benefit Economy and Environment

Kcoleman — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:47:47 +0000

Environmental advocacy organizations and major electric utilities don’t often see eye to eye. But both ELPC and Exelon can agree that the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to reduce pollution from our dirtiest power plants will benefit the economy and the environment. Exelon CEO John Rowe and ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner co-authored an opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune explaining how clean air safeguards such as the Air Toxics rule will protect public health, improve the environment and create new jobs and investment. Both groups agree that efforts in congress to derail clean air standards should be vigorously resisted. ELPC is working to defeat bills that would weaken the Clean Air Act or delay EPA’s efforts to protecting public health.

Read the column in the Chicago Tribune

Michigan Public Service Commission Tells Consumers Energy to Expand Solar Program

Kcoleman — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:11:52 +0000

The Michigan Public Service Commission directed Consumers Energy to expand its popular solar energy program, known as the Experimental Advanced Renewables Program (EARP). ELPC has been advocating to expand the program. “This decision moves Michigan’s energy sector in the right direction,” Said ELPC Attorney Brad Klein. “A smart solar program can keep bills down while creating new jobs and new clean energy for Michigan.”

Consumers Energy had planned to freeze the solar program, which would have slowed solar energy development in Michigan, reduced the diversity of Michigan’s energy portfolio and cut off an important driver for economic growth. ELPC worked with clean energy businesses in Michigan to advocate for an expansion of the solar program that would continue to create jobs and business growth with minimal impact on consumer bills.

The Public Service Commission agreed with ELPC, stating, “The continuation of the EARP will encourage private investment in renewable energy, accelerate the economic recovery in Michigan and will provide support for the state’s growing clean energy economy.”

The solar energy business in Michigan is thriving. ELPC’s recent report found that over 120 Michigan companies are providing 6,300 jobs in the solar industry. A well-designed solar program will help Michigan’s solar businesses continue to grow while providing a diverse and affordable supply of clean energy to Michigan.

The Public Service Commission’s decision is an important step forward for clean energy in Michigan, though some details of Consumers’ solar program still need to be addressed, especially the prices that will be offered to customers that install solar systems on their homes or businesses. ELPC is looking forward to working with the Company and the Commission to ensure the Company’s renewable energy program is successful.

Clean Power Ordinance Has the Votes to Pass, Committee Hearing Set for April 21

HLearner — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:51:51 +0000

CHICAGO- The ordinance that would cut harmful pollution from the two coal plants in Chicago now has enough support to pass City Council. A committee hearing on the Clean Power Ordinance will be held on April 21. Chicagoans are looking to Mayor Daley to allow a vote on the ordinance before he leaves office. “The huge public health and environmental benefits of the Clean Power Ordinance could be Mayor Daley’s legacy,” said Jerry Mead-Lucero of the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO). “All we need is a vote, but time is running out.”

Since March 7, Aldermen Solis (25^th), Austin (34^th), Brookins (21^st), Cardenas (12^th), Daley (43^rd) Fioretti (2^nd), Maldonado (26^th), Newsome (4^th) and Tunney (44^th) have announced that they too will co-sponsor the ordinance, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 26. Others, such as Alderman Stone (50^th) and are not co-sponsors, but have pledged to vote in favor of the ordinance.

The Chicago Clean Power Ordinance was introduced in April 2010 by Ald. Joe Moore (49th Ward) in response to the health and environmental damage created across the city by the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Pilsen and Little Village. The ordinance would drastically reduce soot and greenhouse gas pollution from the two plants, thereby reducing the number of hospitalizations and premature deaths caused by the plants’ pollution and lowering the estimated $127 million in public health costs the plants create each year.

“The people of Chicago want the Clean Power Ordinance to pass.” Said Edyta Sitko of Greenpeace. “We are excited that the City Council is moving forward on this ordinance, which will prevent more unnecessary illness and death.”

Before coming to a vote before the City Council, the Clean Power Ordinance will be heard by a joint committee on consisting of the Committee on Energy, Environmental Protection and Public Utilities, chaired by Alderman Virginia Rugai ( 19th Ward ) and the Committee on Health, chaired by Alderman James Balcer ( 11th Ward). The committee hearing will be held on April 21^st. The final City Council meeting of Mayor Daley’s Administration and the current City Council will be held May 4.

The Chicago Clean Power Coalition, a group of over 56 local business, health, labor, environmental and community organizations is calling on alderman to pass the Ordinance before the Council adjourns in May. “We are grateful to the co-sponsoring Aldermen who value the good health of their constituents and protecting the environment,” said Lan Richart of the Eco-Justice Collaborative, a Coalition member group. “We now look forward to the joint committee hearing and a vote in the full City Council. The health of millions of Chicagoans and future generations depends on it.”

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The Chicago Clean Power Ordinance is supported by: 8th Day Center for Justice * 49th Ward Green Corps * Action Now * Aerotecture International Inc. * American Renewable Energy & Power, LLC * American Medical Student Association-UIC * Blacks in Green * Buddhist Peace Fellowship * CAPOW! Citizens Act to Protect Our Water * Chicago Youth Climate Coalition * Citizen Action / Illinois * Citizens Committee for a Clean Blue Island * Collective Consciousness Movement * Consolidated Printing * David Weiner & Associates * Design Makes Change * Doctors Council SEIU * Eco-Justice Collaborative * Energy Action Coalition * Environment Illinois * Environmental Law & Policy Center * Faith in Place * Gaia Movement USA * Green Guy Solutions * Green Sanctuary Group, Beverly Unitarian Church * Greenpeace * Growing Station Community Garden * KenJiva Energy Systems * Illinois Solar Energy Association * Illinois Student Environmental Coalition * Little Village Env. Justice Organization * Loyola University, Student Env. Alliance * Natural Resources Defense Council * Nuclear Energy Information Service * Oikos: The Religion and Environment Initiative * Peace Productions * Physicians for Social Responsibility * Pilsen Env. Rights & Reform Organization * Progressive Democrats of America * Protestants for the Common Good * Rainforest Action Network Chicago * Ravenswood Community Council * Resource Center*Respiratory Health Assoc. of Metro. Chicago* SAIC Student Env. Activism Group * Students for a Just & Stable Future * Southeast Environmental Task Force * Sierra Club * SolAir Works, Inc. * Team 15 United * Topless America * Union of Concerned Scientists * UIC College of Medicine, Community Action Program * Urban Sustain * Wellington Avenue UCC * Windy City Green Power– www.cleanpowerchicago.org

Take A Minute for the Earth

HLearner — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:36:07 +0000

ELPC celebrated this Earth Day by asking supporters to submit one-minute videos about what they are doing to promote Earth Day and help solve global warming. Here are some of the resulting videos:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Senators Introduce Resolution to Uphold the Clean Air Act

Kcoleman — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:53:59 +0000

Senators Durbin (IL), Franken (MN), Harkin (IA) and Johnson (SD) along with 30 of their colleagues have introduced a Senate resolution recognizing past, present, and future public health and economic benefits of cleaner air due to the successful implementation of the Clean Air Act.

The resolution recognizes that, among other benefits, the Clean Air Act has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and is estimated to provide up to $40 of health and economic benefits to Americans for every dollar invested.

The resolution comes at a time when some members of Congress are attempting to weaken the clean air act and restrict its ability to protect public health and the environment. The Senate is expected to vote soon on up to four amendments that would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to reduce carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act. ELPC commends this resolution and opposes efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act.

Take action to protect the clean air act here. Read the Senate resolution here.