Illinois
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.
In April 2010, ELPC joined Chicago Alderman Joe Moore and a coalition of business and community groups to introdue a City ordinance that would significantly reduce soot and greenhouse gas pollution from Chicago’s coal plants. The Clean Power Ordinance would make Chicago the first city in the nation to regulate pollution from coal plants.
Promoting Renewable Energy
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.
Advocating a Midwest High-Speed Rail Network
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.
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.