Environmental Law & Policy Center

CBS Chicago: Environmental Groups: Close Sanitary And Ship Canal To Stop Asian Carp

Kcoleman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:50:27 +0000

“Separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River Basin is a key step to protect both the ecological and economic value of the Great Lakes,” Environmental Law and Policy Center director Howard Learner said in a news release. “More than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes Basin and rely on its abundance of freshwater, which is under increasing threat from Asian carp and other invasive species.”

Statement from Howard Learner: Separating the Chicago Area Waterway System is an Important Step to Protect the Great Lakes’ Ecology and Economy

Kcoleman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:59:25 +0000

Today, the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative released its Chicago Area Waterways Study (CAWS), which offers recommended action steps to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp and other invasive species. ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner released this statement about the study and its recommendations.

“Separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River Basin is a key step to protect both the ecological and economic value of the Great Lakes. More than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes Basin and rely on its abundance of freshwater, which is under increasing threat from Asian carp and other invasive species. The release of this important study and action framework today advances important Great Lakes values.

“The Study shows that strong and effective action is needed sooner than later to protect Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. We have to get this right from the start. There are no do-over ‘Mulligans’ if invasive species get into our Great Lakes.”

Mr. Learner served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Chicago Area Waterways Study project.

New Report Demonstrates that Permanent Physical Barriers to Stop Asian Carp at Chicago are Feasible

Kcoleman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:57:16 +0000

Strategies for restoring the natural divide between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes – and, in the process, modernizing the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) – are identified in a report released today by the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

“Physically separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds is the best long-term solution for preventing the movement of Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species, and our report demonstrates that it can be done,” said Tim Eder, executive director of the Great Lakes Commission.

The threat of Asian carp looms large for communities in the Great Lakes region. The lakes provide over 35 million residents with drinking water, contain 20 percent of the Earth’s fresh surface water, and support a thriving tourism industry and world-class fishery, which generates an estimated $7 billion in economic activity annually.

Voracious feeders that can grow up to 90 pounds, Asian carp have overrun other ecosystems and could cause irreversible damage to the Great Lakes if allowed entry. Once established, invasive species are nearly impossible to eliminate.

“This is a unique opportunity for both protection of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River and for a Chicago waterway system for the 21st century and beyond,” said David Ullrich, executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. “No single use of the CAWS, including transportation, flood control and wastewater treatment, can be considered individually. The system requires an integrated approach and that is what we have taken.”

The three separation alternatives include a down-river single barrier between the confluence of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Cal-Sag Channel and the Lockport Lock; a mid-system alternative of four barriers on CAWS branches between Lockport and Lake Michigan; and a near-lake alternative of up to five barriers closest to the lakeshore. All three include measures to improve the CAWS’s role in flood management, wastewater treatment and maritime transportation, as well as stopping the interbasin movement of aquatic invasive species.

The three separation alternatives in the report were developed by the engineering firm HDR, Inc., which considered some 20 possible barrier locations in its analysis. No recommended alternative is identified. However, one alternative, the mid-system solution, is the least costly and offers other advantages.

The analysis concludes that preventing just a single invasive species from entering the Great Lakes can save as much as $5 billion over 30 years. The Corps of Engineers has identified 10 species that are poised to invade the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River.

According to the report’s economic analysis, the cost of the barriers themselves is as low as $109 million. The addition of all improvements to address water quality, flood prevention and transportation brings the cost to between $3.2 billion and $9.5 billion, depending on the location and the degree to which the wastewater treatment plants on the system are improved to meet future Clean Water Act requirements.

The analysis also finds that households in the Great Lakes basin would have to be willing to pay, on average, about $1 a month from now through 2059 to cover the cost of the mid-system alternative, based on a projected cost of $4.27 billion. The Great Lakes Commission and the Cities Initiative point out that the construction costs to build the current CAWS in today’s dollars would be $11 billion.

Asian carp have been migrating up the Mississippi River system since the early 1990s and were detected in 2009 to have breached electronic barriers operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the CAWS. In 2010 a live Asian carp was captured in Lake Calumet just six miles from Lake Michigan.

“The current efforts by the state of Illinois, the Corps of Engineers and others to monitor and slow the carp migration are critical and are buying us time to implement a long-term solution,” said Eder.

“While we recognize and support the work being done by others to find solutions to the Asian carp threat, we need to appreciate fully the urgency of this matter,” Ullrich emphasized.

The Great Lakes Commission, representing the eight Great Lakes states plus the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec, and the Cities Initiative, a coalition of U.S. and Canadian mayors, embarked on the accelerated study in 2010 believing separation to be the best strategy for preventing the movement of Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species between the two watersheds via the CAWS. The $2 million project was funded by a collaboration of six regional funders: the Joyce Foundation, C.S. Mott Foundation, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, Wege Foundation, Great Lakes Protection Fund and Frey Foundation.

To provide guidance and input for the project, a bipartisan Executive Committee was established and a diverse Advisory Committee was convened among stakeholders from the Great Lakes region, with an emphasis on interest groups in the Chicago area. In addition, a Resource Group made up of governmental and quasi-governmental entities with a direct interest in the project also participated.

The report and all supporting materials are available at www.glc.org/caws.

Download this news release.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Meets with Environmental Leaders

Kcoleman — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:42:22 +0000

On January 22, the Honorable Jan Schakowsky meet with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Illinois environmental leaders and constituents of Illinois’ 8th and 10th Congressional districts.

Congresswoman Schakowsky discussed the importance of everyone’s voice in the policy-making process. Attendees had the opportunity to ask the Congresswoman questions and raise their concerns.

CNT Energy – Communications Intern

KCollins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:31:08 +0000

Organization Description
CNT Energy is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide economic and environmental
benefits to households, building owners and communities through energy efficiency and conservation. CNT Energy is experiencing rapid growth in three main areas:
(1) Residential Real-Time Electricity Pricing and Smart Grid Development
(2) Energy Efficiency in Residential and Commercial Buildings
(3) Community Energy Planning and Energy Information Center

CNT Energy is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a 31-year old
nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the development and perpetuation of vibrant
urban communities that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, both in the
Chicago region and throughout the United States.

Communications Intern
CNT Energy and its partners are seeking an intern with some of the following skills and interests
to assist with communications and website content management:
• Copywriting
• Website content creation
• Creating layout mock ups
• Social Media
• Search Engine Optimization
• Media Strategy
• Website Testing

We are looking for a detail oriented undergraduate or graduate student who is interested in
learning more about energy efficiency issues and further developing their communications and
web based media skills. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real world experience with a dynamic, mission driven organization. This unpaid internship will ideally start in February of 2012 and last approximately 10 weeks. The typical time commitment is for 15-20 hours per week. If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to careers@cntenergy.org.

Anti-Discrimination Policy
CNT Energy is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job
applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age disability, veteran
status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not
limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

CNT Energy – Energy Operations Associate

KCollins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:28:38 +0000

Organization Description
CNT Energy is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide economic and environmental benefits to households, building owners and communities through energy efficiency and conservation. CNT Energy is experiencing rapid growth in three main areas:
(1) Residential Real Time Electricity Pricing and Smart Grid Development,
(2) Energy Efficiency in Residential and Commercial Buildings, and
(3) Community Energy Planning and Energy Information Center.
CNT Energy is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a 33-year old non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the development and perpetuation of vibrant urban communities that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, both in the Chicago region and throughout the United States.

Position
The Energy Operations Associate assists in supporting CNT Energy’s customer programs and contributes to ongoing communication, education, and new research activities. A primary responsibility is the support of CNT Energy’s real-time electricity pricing programs. As part of the operations workgroup, the Associate works to maintain relationships with customers and assists in the accompanying production work. The Associate shares responsibility for the accurate documentation of these activities, especially as they relate to energy research projects.

Accountability
The Energy Operations Associate reports directly to the Manager of Operations of CNT Energy. The Associate collaborates closely with other CNT Energy staff on operations and production activities.

Responsibilities
Provide customer support services. This includes:
Answering incoming phone, mail and electronic communications
Providing information on energy programs and services
Tracking and addressing customer comments, requests, and complaints using a customer relationship management database.
Learn and stay abreast of current dynamic energy pricing policies and processes.
Support the creation, review, and implementation of customer communications and
education materials.
Support the program logistics. This includes working with our communications and marketing teams to:
Assemble mailers, flyers, and event materials
Support both incoming and outgoing mailings
Support CNT Energy research projects, including assisting in the analysis of information using MS Access, such as developing databases to process survey information.
Perform other duties as required in assistance to and in cooperation with other CNT
Energy staff.
Qualifications/Skills
Four year degree or equivalent experience in energy and/or environmental sciences.
Previous experience with direct customer service.
Exceptional organizational and coordination skills
Ability to independently leverage critical thinking skills to address real world customer issues based on well defined program guidelines.
A demonstrated attention to detail.
Proficiency in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access).
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to work well independently and in a team setting
Bilingual English/Spanish not required, but is an optimal qualification.

Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training.This is an Exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience. Work hour start and end times may be staggered with other employees to support a 7 am – 7 pm call center operation.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to:
Human Resources Center for Neighborhood Technology
2125 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Fax to 773-278-3840 or email to bridget@cnt.org
No phone calls please.

CNT Energy – Commercial and Municipal Buildings Manager

KCollins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:27:30 +0000

CNT Energy seeks an experienced and professional Program Manager to lead its expanding Commercial and Municipal Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) program. The Program Manager will develop and lead multiple projects that focus on energy retrofits and building energy performance in existing Commercial and Municipal Buildings. This position requires the ability to manage and work with professionals across a wide variety of disciplines and firms.

Organization Description
CNT Energy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide economic and environmental benefits to households, building owners and communities through energy efficiency and conservation. CNT Energy is experiencing rapid growth in three main areas:
(1) Residential Real-Time Electricity Pricing and Smart Grid Development,
(2) Energy Efficiency in Residential and Commercial Buildings, and
(3) Community Energy Planning and Energy Information Center.
CNT Energy is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a 33-year old non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the development and perpetuation of vibrant urban communities that are environmentally and economically sustainable, both in the Chicago region and throughout the United States. CNT has a second affiliate, I-GO Car Sharing, Chicago’s only non-profit car-sharing organization.

Accountability
The Commercial and Municipal Buildings Manager reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer of CNT Energy. The Commercial and Municipal Buildings Manager will be a member of CNT Energy’s Management Team and will be a peer of the Multi-family and Single Family Building Managers.

Responsibilities
Lead the delivery of energy efficiency services for the commercial building sector with an emphasis on complex and/or specialized building types: such as nonprofit entities, municipal sector, campuses and multi-tenant commercial and/or industrial real estate properties
Design, implement, and administer energy efficiency retrofit and benchmarking programs for owners, municipalities, and utilities
Develop and maintain strong working relationships internally and externally with key stakeholders, including but not limited to commercial/industrial councils, trade organizations, business owners, property managers, financial institutions, and policy-makers
Develop energy project goals, objectives, strategies, or initiatives in collaboration with CNT Energy staff and other energy or sustainability professionals
Direct energy retrofit and benchmarking operations to achieve cost-effective results and ensure compliance with governmental, utility or environmental regulations
Develop energy reports for commercial and government clients using established and emerging energy and sustainability reporting frameworks and protocols. May also include greenhouse gas inventories, transportation, waste or other metrics
Assess energy efficiency improvements (retrofits) using criteria such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, reliable technical measures, metrics, strategies and market acceptance
Develop reports and presentations to communicate benefits of energy retrofits and benchmarking to broad groups of stakeholders including but not limited to: utilities, commercial real estate, industry groups, media, government, foundations and nonprofits
Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of CNT Energy programs in coordination with CNT
Energy’s Director of QA/QC and Director of Research
Contribute to CNT Energy research and policy on energy issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests
Perform other duties as required

Qualifications
Bachelors degree required. Master’s degree in related field or additional relevant education preferred
Five to seven (5-7) years of experience of relevant preparatory work required, including:
o Experience managing energy efficiency programs
_ Administrative management involving managing contracts, reporting activities and business development
_ Program participant recruitment and conversion
_ Budget management
_ Tracking and reporting on program performance
o Strong quantitative, analytical and broad problem solving skills
o Leadership experience and negotiation skills
o The ability to translate qualitative and quantitative data into strategic deliverables
o Demonstrates business maturity and the capacity to manage clients’ confidentiality requirements
o Energy research, financial analysis, modeling and policy experience desired
Strong verbal and written communication skills
The ability to work independently and as part of a team as well as managing and coordinating the day-to-day activities of a small staff
Ability to analyze data in order to identify market and business opportunities
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with high degree of accuracy

Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. This is an Exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to:
Center for Neighborhood Technology
2125 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Fax to 773-278-3840 or email to mquezada@cntenergy.org
No phone calls please.

CNT Energy – Strategic Communications Director

KCollins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:25:24 +0000

The Strategic Communications Director will position CNT Energy, both nationally and locally, as a leading source of strategies, tools, and policies to promote energy efficiency. The Director will help CNT Energy shape core messages, position the organization among target audiences, and incorporate that messaging and positioning into presentations, media relations, and other public outreach.
The Director will supervise and coordinate CNT Energy communications and outreach staff to raise the visibility of the organization as a thought leader and effective practitioner in each of CNT Energy’s program areas. The Director will work with program heads to develop and achieve their communications objectives, including enrollment and customer satisfaction. The Director will also work closely with CNT and I-GO Car Sharing communications staff to coordinate strategies and crosspromote each other’s work.

CNT Energy is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a 33-year old nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the development and perpetuation of vibrant urban communities that are environmentally and economically sustainable, both in the Chicago region and throughout the United States. CNT has a second affiliate, I-GO Car Sharing, Chicago’s only non-profit car-sharing organization.

Accountability
The Strategic Communications Director reports directly to the Executive Director of CNT Energy. The Strategic Communications Director will be a member of CNT Energy’s Senior Management Team.

Responsibilities:
Develop a strategic communications plan for the organization
Oversee branding and communications for the organization
Oversee CNT Energy’s electronic and social media presence, better expanding and integrating both with the strategic communication plan
Work with CNT Energy’s Board and staff to frame CNT Energy’s core messages and ensure their broad understanding and adoption by staff
Represent CNT Energy at public events and to the media
Develop and manage relationships with relevant publications, key influencers, and members of the media
Monitor and evaluate news, trends and events, with an eye toward opportunities to communicate CNT Energy’s work
Assist program managers and senior leadership team in effectively communicating CNT Energy’s abilities and successes to grantors and other funders in formal and informal communications
Assist program managers in developing communications goals and work plans
Support developing program managers and senior staff into competent spokespersons for the organization and their own programs
Supervise communications and outreach staff and support them in achieving programmatic communications goals

Qualifications/Skills:
Extensive knowledge of, and 5-10 years experience in, strategic communications, media relations, and outreach
Passion for CNT Energy’s mission
Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field
Strong management skills
Strong analytical thinking and problem solving skills
Extraordinary attention to detail
Ability to work well independently and self-start, as well as collaborate in a team setting
Local and regional travel is anticipated

Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. This is an Exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

CNT Energy – Regional Programs Manager

KCollins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:24:04 +0000

Regional Programs Manager

The Regional Programs Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing CNT Energy’s role in administering broad-based efficiency programs. The Manager will be responsible for the day-today management and coordination of multiple program and project activities in close cooperation with Director of Regional Retrofits. One of the primary functions of the Manager will be to ensure programs and projects stay on track from a timeline, budget, and reporting perspective by developing, implementing and managing KPIs. The Manager will represent CNT Energy to its clients and provide superior customer service, ensuring their needs are met. The Manager will oversee the work plans for multiple projects and assist with risk mitigation, budget tracking, and resource allocation.

Organization Description
CNT Energy is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide economic and environmental benefits to households, building owners and communities through energy efficiency and conservation. CNT Energy is experiencing rapid growth in three main areas:
(1) Residential Real-Time Electricity Pricing and Smart Grid Development,
(2) Energy Efficiency in Residential and Commercial Buildings, and
(3) Community Energy Planning and Energy Information Center.

CNT Energy is an affiliate of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a 33-year old nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the development and perpetuation of vibrant urban communities that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, both in the Chicago region and throughout the United States.

Accountability
The Regional Programs Manager will report to the Director of Regional Retrofits and is a member of the CNT Energy management team. The Manager will collaborate with other CNT Energy staff to ensure resources are allocated as necessary to project components and to ensure crosscommunication of opportunities and learning.

Responsibilities
• Project management and implementation of contracted efficiency programs, including scope development and management, resource allocation, reporting, and client service
• Developing and maintaining relationships with clients and funders
• Briefing CNT Energy staff regarding relevant subject-area information.
• Present CNT Energy work at local and national conferences.

Qualifications/Skills
• A bachelor’s degree in energy and/or environmental sciences, or related field, Masters degree in related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of three years experience with program or project management
• Familiarity with energy efficiency programs preferred
• Exceptional organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to independently leverage critical thinking skills.
• A demonstrated attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access).
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team setting.

Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. This is an exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume to:
CNT Energy
2125 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Fax to 773-698-6869 or email to careers@cntenergy.org
No phone calls please.

Michigan Radio: Power line fight in the U.P.

Kcoleman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:36:42 +0000

“New power lines would cut a swath for more than a hundred miles through northern forests, and they’d be expensive,” says a story by Bob Allen for The Environment Report. ELPC is working to ensure the proposed new transmission lines are studied thoroughly instead of fast-tracked through a proposed special process. Read the story.