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.

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

Read the column in the Chicago Tribune

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.

Read more in Crain’s Detroit Business

See the Michigan Public service Commission’s order here

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

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.

Wind and solar businesses currently employ over 10,000 people in Michigan. ELPC’s Executive Director Howard Learner told Crain’s, “You go back five to 10 years, and we see only a few jobs in these sectors. Clearly, the job growth in two sectors can’t make up for thousands of jobs lost in the auto industry. On the other hand, there is clear, positive growth the last several years.”

The article notes that  clean energy manufacturers across Michigan are forecasting new orders, investment and hiring, which is good news for our economy and our environment.

Read the article here

The ordinance that would clean up pollution from the two coal plants in Chicago is rapidly gaining momentum. 25^th Ward Alderman Danny Solis committed to co-sponsor the Chicago Clean Power Ordinance on March 7^th.   Since Solis made his announcement, Aldermen Austin (34th Ward), Brookins (21st Ward),  Fioretti (2nd Ward), Tunney (44th Ward), Newsome (4th Ward) and Cardenas (12th Ward) have announced that they too will co-sponsor the ordinance, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 24.  Alderman Stone (50^th) is not a co-sponsor but has pledged to vote in favor of the ordinance, which needs a total of 26 votes to pass.

The Chicago Clean Power Ordinance was introduced in April 2010 by Ald. Joe Moore (49th Ward), in response to the detrimental health and environmental impacts created across the city by the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Pilsen and Little Village. The ordinance aims to drastically reduce soot and greenhouse gas pollution from the two plants.

“Resolving this issue can’t wait any longer,” said Alderman Solis in a March 7 press release. “The medical experts are clear: This pollution is a danger to all of us,” Solis added.

To date the Ordinance has 24 co-sponsors, including Ald. Ricardo Muñoz (22^nd) and Ald. Solis (25^th) in whose wards the two old coal plants are located.

Before coming to a vote before the City Council, the Clean Power Ordinance must be heard by a joint committee 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).  Despite growing aldermanic support and broad public advocacy for the Ordinance, Rugai and Balcer have yet to set a hearing date.

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 a hearing in the joint committee on Health and Energy to move the Ordinance to a vote in the full City Council. The health of millions of Chicagoans and future generations depends on it.”

The Environmental Law and Policy Center’s new Michigan’s solar and wind energy supply chain study finds that 121 Michigan companies are engaged in the solar industry and 120 Michigan companies are part of the wind energy supply chain.

The solar and wind industries provide over 10,000 jobs in Michigan. The state’s manufacturers and research and development institutions benefit from policies that encourage growth in the clean energy sector.

“Michigan can be a clean energy manufacturing powerhouse, and smart policies have helped attract new solar and wind business investment here,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.  “From huge steel castings for wind turbines to ultra-thin solar shingles, clean energy equipment is made in Michigan.  Old-line manufacturers are retooling to produce the solar and wind equipment for our future.”

The report profiles the wide variety of Michigan businesses that are part of the solar and wind supply chain. The state is home to huge manufacturers like Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, as well as over 100 small businesses such as Walker Miller Energy Services and Hot Watt Solar that serve a growing base of residential and commercial clients.  These businesses are looking forward to sound policies that will support the domestic market for clean energy.

“Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor are investing billions of dollars right here in Michigan to research, develop and manufacture materials critical to the solar and wind energy industries,” Said Jerrod Erpelding, spokesman for Dow Corning, “Our goal is to help alternative energy become an economically viable, sustainable energy option globally.  Michigan is well positioned to play a major role in alternative energy with the assets and expertise already residing here.”

“Renewable energy is creating growth opportunities for my business and for hundreds of businesses across Michigan,” said Jeffery Seagle, President of Stahlin Enclosures. “Supporting clean energy will strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing sector and create new jobs in our state.”

“United Solar is proud to be one of the hundreds of Michigan companies that are actively engaged in producing renewable products,” said Kim Paulson, Manager of Government and Policy, United Solar. “We make a difference by continuing to improve lives and reduce our impact on the planet.”

“URV USA will build the first major clean-tech foundry in the US in more than 40 years, securing domestic capacity for very heavy wind turbine components as well as other industrial iron castings. We have begun shipping top quality finished components to major US OEMs and look forward to developing the new industry materials standard in collaboration with the US Dept. of Energy, State of Michigan, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Michigan Technological University” stated Blaire H. Miller, EVP of URV USA, LLC

“As our energy landscape changes, we should look inward to find solutions that can continue to build on employing and growing the emerging green industry,” said Melanie Steele, VP of Operations for walker-Miller energy Service LLC. “Continuous efforts to expand the clean energy market will be vital to growing small businesses like Walker-Miller Energy Services LLC. Legislation and policies will enhance our ability to improve market perception and consequently, its acceptance.”

The report notes that strong public policies are key to growing any industry, and the wind and solar industries are no exception. Strengthening the Michigan renewable energy standard and enacting the proposed federal renewable energy standard would help grow the local economy by increasing Michigan’s export opportunities for renewable energy as well as manufactured wind and solar components and professional services.

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