This “post of the week” comes from Jessie Thomas-Blate, Most Endangered Rivers Coordinator at American Rivers, which identifies three endangered rivers in the Midwest/Great Plains region:

• Missouri River (#4) is a risk to public safety because of outdated flood management.
• Grand River (#6) in Ohio is being threatened by natural gas development.
• Kansas River (#10) is being threatened by sand and gravel dredging.

“Every year since 1986, this report has put a spotlight on ten rivers at risk. With the 2012 list, we have zeroed in on key actions and, working with our local partners – and you – we are going to get decision-makers to do the right thing …

‘This year’s Most Endangered Rivers list underscores how important clean water is to our drinking water, health, and economy. If Congress slashes clean water protections, more Americans will get sick and communities and businesses will suffer. We simply cannot afford to go back to a time when the Potomac and rivers nationwide were too polluted to use.’”

See American Rivers’ full list of Most Endangered Rivers of 2012 here: http://www.americanrivers.org/newsroom/blog/jthomasblate-051512-announcing-americas-most-endangered-rivers-2012.html

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), in particular, is a success story. It crosses agricultural sectors and provides value in every state. REAP’s competitive cost-share grants have helped support a broad range of 8,000 wind, solar, biogas and energy efficiency projects in rural communities. Since the 2008 Farm Bill, REAP grants have leveraged more than $1 billion in private investments, creating jobs during a historic economic crisis.

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Wind and solar development create manufacturing and technical jobs, rural economic development and pollution-free energy. The Environmental Law & Policy Center’sSolar and Wind Energy Supply Chain report shows that Michigan is home to 241 clean energy technology supply chain businesses and 10,000 related jobs.

Michigan is a solar business leader with companies including Patriot Solar Group (Albion), which manufactures trackers for solar panel installations, and Hemlock Semiconductor(Hemlock), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of polycrystalline silicon for solar cells and modules. Some of Michigan’s old-line manufacturing companies like Dowding Industries – Astraeus Wind Energy (Eaton Rapids) are re-tooling to supply growing markets for clean energy equipment.

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Chicago Tribune broke the news that Midwest Generation announced May 2nd that both the Fisk and Crawford coal plants will be closed in September 2012, instead of by the end of 2012 and 2014. The Chicago Clean Power Coalition released this statement in response to the news.

ORGANIZATION:  ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders.  We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 45 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates, and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities.  ELPC’s headquarters is in Chicago, along with offices in Columbus, OH, Des Moines, IA, Jamestown, ND, Minneapolis, MN, Madison, WI, Sioux Falls, SD, and Washington D.C.  ELPC started in 1993 and has an annual budget of $6.5 million.  Please see www.elpc.org. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:   Economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and of economic, job creation, business and environmental impacts of state and federal energy policies.  The position includes a wide range of responsibilities including financial and economic growth analysis, drafting reports, and submitting expert testimony in administrative proceedings and before legislative forums.  Work includes participation in stakeholder working groups and other public policy advocacy efforts, teaming with multidisciplinary ELPC Energy Project team including public interest attorneys, policy advocates, M.B.A.s, communications specialists, and organizers.

QUALIFICATIONS:  M.B.A., M.P.P. (quantitative) or Masters in Economics, with at least three years of post-graduate professional experience and policy-technical knowledge in the energy  field.  Strong background in financial and economic analysis.  Substantive knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency policy, and energy economics.  Strong academic record and excellent speaking, writing, and analytical skills.  Able to be effective in multi-party stakeholder processes.  An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and the ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals is required.

SALARY:  Commensurate with experience and with ELPC’s salary structure that is competitive with other large public interest environmental organizations.  Excellent benefits provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Applicants should send a cover letter, resume and professional references by regular mail or email to:  Robert Kelter, Environmental Law & Policy Center, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL  60601, or Email:  rkelter@elpc.org.  Telephone inquiries are discouraged.  The Environmental Law & PolicyCenter is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

(Posted 5/14/2012)

ORGANIZATION:  ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders.  We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage.  We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together.  ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 45 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates, and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities.  ELPC’s headquarters is in Chicago, along with offices in Columbus, OH, Des Moines, IA, Jamestown, ND, Minneapolis, MN, Madison, WI, Sioux Falls, SD, and Washington D.C.  ELPC started in 1993 and has an annual budget of $6.5 million.  Please see www.elpc.org.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants should be tenured professors on sabbatical for either a semester or a full-year and should have: (1) A strong interest in public interest environmental advocacy and communication of scientific knowledge to diverse audiences of policymakers; (2) Scientific specialization in fields relevant to ELPC’s global warming solutions, clean energy development, clean air and clean water protection, and improvement and natural resources preservation programs, as described at www.elpc.org and www.globalwarmingsolutons.org; and (3) An ability to work productively with a  team of skilled professionals.

COMPENSATION:  ELPC will provide a competitive fellowship payment, which will complement sabbatical support provided by the applicant’s college or university.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, names and contract info for at least two professional references, and a 1-page memo that describes how you would work effectively with ELPC’s professional staff on specific advocacy programs to: Becca Brown, Environmental Law & Policy Center, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL  60601  FAX:  (312) 795-3730. EMAIL: BBrown@elpc.org. The Environmental Law and Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

The six members of the ELPC Science Advisory Council provide connections and expand our networks at major Midwestern universities (e.g., Professors Knute Nadelhoffer and Don Scavia at the University of Michigan, and Professors Jonathan Patz, Bobbi Peckarsky and Don Waller at the University of Wisconsin) and foundations (Dr. Marilu Hastings at the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation).  These top-rate scientists infuse up-to-date scientific thinking into our key strategic legal, eco-business and policy decision-making process and bring ELPC resources into new issues that the scientists identify as significant and needing help.  They provide substantial expertise in a variety of fields:  conservation biology, botany, climate change, entomology, evolutionary biology, Great Lakes ecosystems, public health, and stream ecology, among others.

This “post of the week” comes from Lee Crandell, Director of Campaigns at the Active Transportation Alliance, explaining the benefits of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT):

•  Dedicated lanes help reduce traffic delays and road conflicts, making BRT vehicles faster and more reliable and making streets safer.
• Pay-before-you-board stations reduce boarding times, while the permanence of stations provides economic development benefits similar to train stations.
• Transit Signal Priority helps transit vehicles stay on time and reduces bunching by giving them preferential treatment at traffic lights.
• At-grade boarding makes vehicles more accessible to seniors, people with disabilities and parents with strollers, while also reducing boarding time.

The Scoop: BRT can make transit more efficient and safer in communities that rely heavily on public buses for transportation to and from the city.  The CTA will begin implementing three BRT routes in Chicago later this year.

Read the whole story here: http://www.activetrans.org/blog/lcrandell/bus-rapid-transit-may-be-your-transit-future

Earlier this year, the company agreed to retire the Chicago coal plants in response to a 10 year grassroots campaign by a coalition of community, health, and environmental organizations. According to agreements signed by Midwest Generation, the Clean Power Coalition, and the City of Chicago, the Fisk coal plant must shut down in 2012 and the Crawford coal plant by 2014.

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The Chicago Clean Power Coalition released the following statement in response to the news.

For Immediate Release

May 2, 2012

Chicago’s Fisk and Crawford Coal Plants to Close in September

Midwest Generation is accelerating the closure of two of the nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal plants, saying both the Fisk plant in Pilsen and the Crawford plant in Little Village will close in September 2012.

On today’s first quarter investor call, Ted Craver, CEO of parent-company Edison International, announced that the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Chicago will shut ahead of schedule.

Earlier this year, Edison International agreed to retire the Chicago coal plants in response to a 10 year grassroots campaign by a coalition of community, health, and environmental organizations. According to agreements signed by Midwest Generation, the Clean Power Coalition, and the City of Chicago, the Fisk coal plant must shut down in 2012 and the Crawford coal plant by 2014.

Today’s announcement confirms that economic pressures and grassroots opposition present a real challenge to the long term viability of Edison’s coal fleet. Energy producers are recognizing the need to move towards cleaner, more cost effective energy sources

In response to today’s decision, members of the Chicago Clean Power Coalition said:

“We welcome the news that both plants will close earlier than expected. Midwest Generation made this decision independently based on an economic analysis. Coal is not just harmful to public health and air quality; it’s no longer a working business model. Clean energy is where the jobs are now.” – Faith Bugel, senior attorney with Environmental Law & Policy Center.

“There’s no future in coal. Edison International executives can protect Illinois families and their own investors by retiring the remaining Midwest Generation coal plants and committing future investments to renewable energy,” – Kelly Mitchell, Greenpeace Coal Campaigner

“It’s amazing to see the economic times finally catch up with what our communities have known all along – coal is a dirty investment. We are excited to hear that our communities will not have to wait until 2014 for a breath of clean air. In our hearts, we know that Midwest Generation will do right by its employees and invest in them like they have invested in clean energy.” Kimberly Wasserman, Executive Director, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization

“In the neighborhoods surrounding the plants tonight, tiny and older lungs especially will breathe a little easier knowing that 100% of the deadly coal pollution generated in Chicago will end in just 4 short months. This news couldn’t be better and will inspire residents as they work together to gather and construct proposals for how future uses of the sites can benefit the community.” – Jerry Mead-Lucero, local resident and organizer for PERRO, the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization.

“Midwest Generation is doing what it needs to do by shutting the plants early. Now we need to move forward toward clean air and a worthy replacement for the plants.” – Nelson Soza, Pilsen Alliance

“Chicago still has a long term air pollution problem and finally closing the last several ancient, inefficient and dirty coal power plants in the Chicago area would improve the health of all area residents by reducing asthma attacks, heart attacks, hospitalizations and deaths.” – Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health for Respiratory health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

“Today we won two more years of cleaner, safer air for the children of Little Village, culminating the many years of hard work by local families and concerned residents. We are now calling on Midwest Generation to protect their employees and asking for investments in energy efficiency that will create new jobs to assist the workers and community with a smooth transition to a clean energy future. We we look forward to continuing our work with the Chicago Clean Power Coalition and Mayor Emanuel to ensure new productive uses of these sites and a cleaner future our city.” -Jack Darin, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter Director