More than 400 of ELPC’s supporters, friends and colleagues gathered in downtown Chicago for an energetic exchange of ideas, networking, and fun on Monday, October 10, 2011.

ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner spoke to the guests about the achievements we are celebrating, strategic opportunities ahead for progress, and our vision for the future. He also presented ELPC’s first-ever award to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin for his extraordinarily effective and tireless work to advance clean energy, clean transportation and clean water.

Senator Durbin presented the keynote address, discussing the ability to achieve economic growth together with environmental protection, and answered questions from the crowd.

ELPC is grateful to everyone who joined us on October 10th. If you couldn’t make it, please click the buttons above to re-live it online.

“On every big environmental challenge we have faced for 20 years – from reducing the mercury in our air, to protecting Lake Michigan and the Chicago River from toxic dumping, to making Chicago the hub of America’s first high speed rail network, Howard Learner and ELPC have been there to help lead the charge.”

“Investing in a clean economy means more and better jobs at better wages. And it can help solve the three major crises facing America today:  a jobs crisis that has left 25 million Americans who need full-time work unable to find it;  an energy crisis that undermines our economic and national security; and a climate crisis that could leave this planet uninhabitable if we don’t get serious about it soon.”

“Sadly, in this Congress, winning the clean energy race and protecting the environment has become very controversial. We’re seeing efforts to handcuff the EPA and prevent it from issuing new regulations … and efforts to gut the Clean Air and Clean Water acts – policies that both parties have agreed on for 40 years.”

“In China, India, Spain, the EU – all of our competitors – government is an active partner in the race to develop and commercialize clean energy.  Even Saudi Arabia has begun investing seriously in renewable energy because it is concerned about its overdependence on oil for economic growth. The United States cannot be – cannot be – the only major industrialized nation in which government does nothing to help businesses win the global clean energy race and the good jobs and other benefits that come with it.”

“Most deficit commission members agreed that we can’t just cut our way out of this deficit or tax our way out.  We have to think our way out.   Instead of cutting federal spending indiscriminately, across the board, we should give priority to productive investments that will strength our economy for the long haul.  These include education, infrastructure, efficient health care, high-value research and, certainly, clean energy.”

“Instead of getting angrier, I think we need to be smarter in making the case for the clean energy economy.  We need business leaders and entrepreneurs like you to say publicly that smart environmental regulations are good for business – to help counter the claims that all environmental regulations are “job destroyers.”  It wasn’t too many environmental regulations that crashed America’s economy, it was too few financial regulations. “

“We also need entrepreneurs and business leaders who benefit from government-funded research, loans and grants to tell your stories.  Talk about the people who have good jobs today because you were willing to take risks and work hard and the government was there to help.  People need to know that together, we can create good jobs, rebuild America’s middle class and save this planet.”