Bringing Clean Cars to Illinois

ELPC is pleased that under a recently-passed federal law, states may choose between two sets of vehicle emissions standards: the federal Clean Air Act standards or the more stringent California standards, which have been adopted by 14 states. These standards require fleet-wide reductions of carbon dioxide emissions by 30% – 50% or more by 2016 through new technology innovations and better fuel efficiency.

Supporting Electronic Waste Recycling

Electronic waste, or E-Waste, includes TVs, computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment. It is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream. Only about 12 percent of E-Waste is recycled nationwide and the rest ends up being either landfilled or shipped abroad, where it becomes mountains of trash on which third world kids climb. Furthermore, according to the U.S. EPA, even the tiniest amounts of the toxic substances in E-waste can pollute ground water if leak out of even the most well-run landfill.  ELPC fought for legislation that successfully passed in September 2008 requiring electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle or reuse electronic waste. The legislation makes both environmental and economic sense, and acts as an economic development tool to create jobs and revenue for residents and business.

Fighting Oil Refinery Expansion

Eight oil refinery expansions have recently been proposed across the Midwest due in large part to the newly commercially viable tar sands in Alberta, Canada. Alberta tar sands or Canadian crude is sandy, petroleum rich deposits which can be harvested, then transported to oil refineries to be processed and converted into workable fuel for our cars and trucks, among other things. The potential increase in global warming from the oil refinery expansions is huge. One proposed new oil refinery in Hyperion, SD would add 19 million tons of pollutants – the equivalent of 4 to 6 new coal-fired power plants to the state. The proposed expansion by BP in northwest Indiana is reported to increase global warming pollution by 40%.

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards

ELPC’s overall goal is to accomplish a transition from the region’s current resource portfolio, currently comprised almost exclusively of nuclear and older coal-burning plants, towards a more diverse, sustainable and less polluting portfolio including wind energy, biomass and solar. Renewable resources are the fuel of the future and passage of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in every Midwestern state is a critical step to building a clean energy future. ELPC continues to lead the fight to pass or increase Renewable Portfolio Standards in every Midwestern state. Illinois’ Renewable Energy Standard (RES) passed in 2007. The RES requires Illinois utilities to supply 2% of their power from renewable energy sources by 2008, 10% by 2015, and 25% by 2025.

Fighting Pollution From Aging Coal Plants

Despite advances in renewable energy, the nation still depends on coal-fired power plants for more than half of its electricity. ELPC is working to reduce pollution from the decrepit Fisk and Crawford coal plants, located in Chicago’s Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods, respectively. These facilities are the two largest sources of sulfur dioxide emissions in all of Cook County. In late July 2009, ELPC and a coalition of Illinois health and environmental groups filed a “60-day notice letter” informing Midwest Generation of their intent to sue the company because its coal plants violate their opacity limits.  This action helped spur the US EPA and Illinois Attorney General to file a lawsuit against Midwest Generation in August 2009. ELPC and our partners joined to suit in October 2009.

High Speed Rail

In an era of high gasoline prices, expressway congestion at all hours, airport capacity constraints, and a shrinking pool of rural transportation choices, the Midwest needs improved passenger rail service now more than ever. With ten major cities within a 400-mile radius of Chicago, the Midwest represents the nation’s greatest opportunity to develop high speed rail. A regional high speed rail network would significantly reduce traffic congestion, travel time, air pollution, and urban sprawl. And at 10% of the cost of constructing new highways, a high speed rail network with its hub in Chicago just makes sense.